Mr. Kafka and Parking in DC

Getting a parking ticket in DC is usually considered an unpleasant experience, even when you deserve it. Parking in DC is among the most tweeted about subjects when it comes to living in the District of Columbia. (And 'fess up: When we're angry about a parking ticket, that anger often comes about because we know that we earned the ticket. We're just mad that we got caught.) In the olden days, disputing a parking ticket meant taking off a good chunk of the day to dispute the ticket in person.

Now you can dispute a parking ticket online, in your pajamas while having your morning coffee. But just because there's a computer between you and the human at the Department of Motor Vehicles who looks at the data you submit, doesn't make the system perfect. Nor does it mean that the result of your dispute will make any sense. Here's what happened to on DC resident, as reported on the Tenleytown listserv.

I don't mind paying a ticket when I'm wrong, but what happened this week really burns me.

A few nights ago I got a ticket for parking at an expired meter. The sign said it was okay to park after 6:30. I got the ticket at 7:30.

I went to the DMV website, created an account on the adjudication page and contested the ticket - explaining what the sign said and sending pictures of the sign, the meter and the street. On Friday I got an email saying a decision had been made on my case. I logged into the website and there was one line: "Decision: Liable for ticket." So I paid the ticket.

Three days later I got a letter in the mail from DMV listing the facts that I supposedly submitted to them when I contested the ticket. But the facts in their letter were not the facts I submitted.

The letter said, "The respondent reported that the meter was not operating properly because it displayed the word 'fail.'" In fact, I reported that the sign said it was legal to park after 6:30 (along with photographs of said sign and of the meter and of the street).

So they said I was guilty without explaining why and then after I paid the ticket, they sent me a letter explaining why they'd found me guilty. If I'd had that wording before I paid the ticket, I wouldn't have paid the ticket.

And it gets better. I just got the information on how to appeal the appeal. To appeal a $25 ticket, it costs $60.

DC DMV Sending Out Incorrect Car Registration Suspension Notices

Update: Jordan commenting below points us to the DMV's website, which says that if you received that notice dated 10/11/10, you can ignore it. To verify that your vehicle is registered enter your license plane number here.

Three members of the Cleveland Park Listserv reported yesterday evening that they received letters from the DC Department of Motor Vehicles stating that their car's registration has been suspended because of unverified insurance information. In addition, these letters said that the a warning letter, sent 30 days before, had been ignored. In our experience when two listserv members report exactly the same thing on the same day, that's the proverbial canary in a coal mine: Something appears to be wrong at the DMV.

The advice from the DMV (one list member called) is to fax a letter of explanation along with a copy of the DMV letter and proof of insurance (which could be your insurance card) to 202-673-9908. The DMV will send a "clearance letter" to you.

Here are excerpts from these two messages:

I just came home to a letter from the D.C. DMV Insurance Services stating that my car registration has been suspended as of 10/10 (today is 10/19) due to my not having sufficiently verified my insurance information, and apparently ignoring a warning letter 30 days ago.

I have been insured the entire time and am certain that I never received such a letter. According to this letter, I will have to pay a $150 fee plus a $98 reinstatement fee, and I must go down to the DMV to do so. Not to mention that I will apparently receive up to a $300 fine and 30 days in jail for driving an "unregistered" vehicle! This is outrageous, as I am insured by a reputable insurer, have been for years, and never received a first notice.

 ---

I, too, got the identical letter today, stating that my registration was suspended as of 10/10, because I have not "sufficiently verified your insurance information and you have not paid the applicable fine for any lapse in your insurance coverage." It also says that I received a pending suspension notice 30 days ago.

I received no notice, my USAA insurance has been in place for years, and is currently paid up and effective to January 21, 2011. 

The Eternal Illegally Parked Car

There's an illegally parked car in Georgetown that simply won't go. The story behind this car gives some insight into why illegally parked cars sometimes are just unmovable objects. This story was reported on the Georgetown listserv.

The truck has now been parked in front of our house, illegally, for at least 7 days. Unresolved...

Last Sunday we noticed a truck (expired Maryland license plates) was parked in front of our house at 1685 34th Street, NW, between R Street and Reservoir Road (not sure if it was there earlier on the weekend or not). On Wednesday it was still there. Here were my steps to try to get someone to attend to it.

Wednesday, 29 September: Phoned 2nd precinct asking how to report an illegally parked truck in front of my house. The officer (did not ask his name, unfortunately) told me they did not deal with illegally parked cars and I'd have to call DMV. He gave me the telephone number at DMV.

The Bad News Is That Mother-in-Law Jokes Are Now Banned

The good news is that it's the London Borough of Barnet that's banned them.

Every now and then towns and cities try to [fill in the blank here: stupidly, foolishly, amusingly] ban what people can say. Not just in the United Kingdom, but in other advanced English speaking countries. Such as the United States, where a Illinois town tried to ban eye rolling at city council meetings.  At a Elmhurst, IL City Council meeting, the chairman of a council hearing expelled a witness after that witness sighed and rolled her eyes. Making faces behind the mayor's back is disruptive, in my opinion," the council chair said.

Or as in the District of Columbia, where you're barred from using profanity at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Watch Your Tongue at the DMV

Photo by Bill Adler

If you fail your written test or eye exam, or simply get tired standing in line at the DMV in the District of Columbia, be sure not to cuss. Or else.

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