The privilege of driving comes with responsibility: you must be able to pay for any damage or injury your vehicle causes. This is called financial responsibility, and it’s required in most states. Washington DC is no different.

Ways to Establish Financial Responsibility

A valid insurance policy is the only accepted proof of financial responsibility.

Washington DC Liability Insurance Requirements for Private Passenger Vehicles

If you plan to register a vehicle or apply for a reciprocity sticker in the District of Columbia, you must have a valid insurance policy that covers both damage you cause (liability) and damage caused if you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist.

• Liability

• $25,000 per person for injury

• $50,000 per accident for injury

• $10,000 per accident for property damage

• Uninsured Motorist

• $25,000 per person for injury

• $50,000 per accident for injury

• $5,000 per accident for property damage, subject to $200 deductible

Of course, you may want more coverage than these bare minimums. See Types of Coverage to review your options.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

If you are stopped by a police officer, you must give him or her proof of insurance. This applies to anyone who drives in DC, even if their car is registered somewhere else.

Acceptable forms of this proof will be issued by your insurance company and list the name of the insurance company, the policy number, your name (or the name of the insured), and dates covered by the policy. Most insurance companies will send you a card with this information.

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

If you cannot produce proof of insurance for an officer, you will be fined $30. If you lose or discontinue insurance coverage, you will be fined $150. If after 30 days you still haven’t shown proof of insurance, you will be charged $7 for each additional day until you can show you're covered.