What a window tint ticket costs in District of Columbia
No one can honestly quote you a single number, and we are not going to invent one. District of Columbia fixes the offence — moving violation: a citation first, then an owner's fine if the film is still there after inspection under D.C. Code 50-2207.02, with up to $1,000 for a first failure to correct and up to $5,000 for a second or later one, on top of the $50 citation. The total on the citation comes from the fee schedule of the court that issued it, which varies by county.
| What the statute fixes | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Offence | Moving violation: a citation first, then an owner's fine if the film is still there after inspection |
| Amount set by statute | Up to $1,000 for a first failure to correct and up to $5,000 for a second or later one, on top of the $50 citation |
| Correctable (fix-it) | Yes, ordinarily |
| Licence points | No |
| Statute | D.C. Code 50-2207.02 |
Why the figures online disagree
A tint citation's total is a base amount plus court costs and surcharges, and those are set per county by the citing court rather than by the tint statute. That is why three pages about the same state will quote three different numbers, all of them sourced from each other rather than from a schedule. The number that binds you is the one the clerk of the court named on your citation gives you — so that call is the first thing worth making.
What District of Columbia does settle
The District runs the only penalty in this set that is built as a two-stage machine. The stop produces a $50 citation and an order to present the vehicle at a District inspection station within five business days. Comply and that is the end of it; fail and the owner is exposed to the four-figure fine, which is why the big numbers circulating for DC tint tickets are real but conditional. The statute also says expressly that no points shall be assessed for any violation of the section.
Getting it dismissed
- 1
Ring the clerk of the court named on the citation. Ask for the amount, the appearance date, and what they accept as proof of correction.
- 2
Have the film removed or replaced with film that meters legal. Keep the receipt — a business receipt is the usual evidence.
- 3
Get the correction certified by whoever the court requires. For equipment items that normally means a law enforcement officer or a licensed inspection or installation station, not you.
- 4
File the proof before the appearance date, with any transaction fee. Miss that date and a correctable citation can stop being correctable.
The limits you were measured against
Front side windows 70% VLT minimum, back side windows 50% VLT minimum, rear window 50% VLT minimum — metered through the film and the glass together. Factory side glass already blocks some light before any film goes on, which is how film sold as “legal” ends up metering under the limit.
Check what film will meter legal in District of Columbia →Frequently asked questions
How much is a window tint ticket in District of Columbia?
There is no single statewide figure, and anyone quoting one is guessing. District of Columbia fixes the offence — moving violation: a citation first, then an owner's fine if the film is still there after inspection under D.C. Code 50-2207.02, with up to $1,000 for a first failure to correct and up to $5,000 for a second or later one, on top of the $50 citation — and the total you pay is set by the fee schedule of the court that issued the citation, which varies by county and is not published statewide. Call the clerk of the citing court for the figure that applies to you.
Is a tint ticket in District of Columbia a fix-it ticket?
Ordinarily yes. Remove or replace the film, have the correction certified, and the court dismisses the charge on proof of correction plus the transaction fee. The District runs the only penalty in this set that is built as a two-stage machine. The stop produces a $50 citation and an order to present the vehicle at a District inspection station within five business days. Comply and that is the end of it; fail and the owner is exposed to the four-figure fine, which is why the big numbers circulating for DC tint tickets are real but conditional. The statute also says expressly that no points shall be assessed for any violation of the section.
Does a tint ticket put points on your licence in District of Columbia?
No. District of Columbia treats it as an equipment or non-moving matter rather than a moving violation, so it does not carry licence points.
What tint got me cited in District of Columbia?
The limits are front side windows 70% VLT, back side windows 50% VLT, rear window 50% VLT, measured through the film and the glass together — which is why film sold as legal can still meter under.
Can a medical exemption get a District of Columbia tint ticket dismissed?
District of Columbia does have a medical exemption, but it is something you hold before the stop, not a defence you assemble afterwards. If you qualify, get it in place so the next stop goes differently.
Sources
- D.C. Code 50-2207.02 (Tinted windows prohibited) (official)
- MPD - Collateral list for moving, parking and non-moving violations, January 2025 (official)
Reference only, not legal advice. We do not publish an estimated ticket total because no statewide schedule exists to support one. For the amount that applies to you, ask the clerk of the court on your citation.