District law states that a vehicle is boot-eligible if it has two or more unsatisfied parking and/or photo enforcement tickets that are 60 days old. DPW searches for scofflaws’ vehicles using License Plate Recognition System (LPRS) technology. DPW will tow booted vehicles from the street to either 1725 15th Street, NE or the Blue Plains Impoundment and Storage Facility at 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW. Booted vehicles that are towed to 1725 15th Street, NE will be kept there for up to three days then towed to the Blue Plains impoundment lot.

All fines, boot and/or tow fees must be paid before the vehicle will be released. The Blue Plains impoundment lot customer service center is open weekdays between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm and 1725 15th Street, NE is open weekdays from 10 am to 7 pm. These fees may be paid online by check, debit or credit card for either site or at the Department of Motor Vehicles at 301 C Street, NW.

How You Can Help

• Avoid becoming boot-eligible by either paying the ticket or pursuing mail or in-person adjudication within 60 days of when the ticket was issued. Customers whose tags have expired may renew their registration online at the impoundment lot customer service center, print a temporary registration, and drive their vehicle off the lot (if the vehicle can be driven).
• Call the Towing Control Dispatch Center at (202) 541-6083 if you believe your vehicle has been towed. If it has been towed, DPW staff will be able to tell you where your vehicle is located.

Just the Facts

• Photo enforcement tickets are issued through the mail for speeding, red light and street sweeping violations.
• Unsatisfied tickets are those that remain unpaid with no request for adjudication within 60 days of issuance or that remain unpaid after the owner’s appeal rights have been exhausted.
• Please be aware that the ticket fee doubles after 30 days.