← All states
District of Columbia: rules and deadlines at a glance
Every 14 topic we track for District of Columbia on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how District of Columbia compares.
Compare District of Columbia with another state →
Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.
| Personal injury | 3 years |
|---|
| Property damage | 3 years |
|---|
| Minimum liability | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
|---|
| Fault system | At-fault (the driver who caused it pays) |
|---|
| Shared-fault rule | Contributory negligence: any fault (even 1%) can bar recovery |
|---|
| Acknowledge | No fixed number of days; must act with reasonable promptness |
|---|
| Accept or deny | Reasonable time |
|---|
| Pay | Not set by rule |
|---|
| Dollar limit | $10,000 |
|---|
| Filing fee | $5, $10 or $45 |
|---|
| Lawyers | Required for corporate plaintiffs |
|---|
| Total loss rule | 75% of actual cash value |
|---|
| Rule | Contributory negligence (51% bar for pedestrians and cyclists) |
|---|
| When you are barred | Barred at 1% fault; pedestrians and cyclists barred only at 51%+ |
|---|
| Report required if | Death, injury, or over $250 damage |
|---|
| Deadline | 5 days |
|---|
| Repair attempts or days | 4 attempts or 30 days |
|---|
| Coverage period | 2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever first |
|---|
| State rate | 6.00% |
|---|
| Combined average | 6.00% |
|---|
| Handheld ban | Yes, all drivers (primary) |
|---|
| Texting ban | Yes, primary |
|---|
| Law type | Universal |
|---|
| Who must wear one | All riders (universal law) |
|---|
Gas tax Single detailed source
| Gasoline | 35.7¢ per gallon |
|---|
| Diesel | 35.7¢ per gallon |
|---|
| Drivers uninsured | 23.1% |
|---|
| UM/UIM coverage | Uninsured motorist required |
|---|
| Legal status | Recreational and medical |
|---|