Chapter 13. Motor Vehicle Owners and Operators Responsibility.
Subchapter I. Short Title; Definitions.
§ 50–1301.01. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act of the District of Columbia.”
§ 50–1301.02. Definitions.
The following words and phrases used in this chapter shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this article except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or his designated agent or agents.
(2) “Driver” or “operator” means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a public highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being pushed or towed by a motor vehicle upon a public highway.
(3) “License” means any operator’s permit or any other license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under the laws of the District of Columbia including:
(A) Any temporary or learner’s permit;
(B) The privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle whether or not such person holds a valid license; and
(C) Any nonresident’s operating privilege as defined herein.
(4) Motor vehicle" means every vehicle that is self-propelled and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails. The term "motor vehicle" shall not include personal mobility devices,as the term is defined in § 50-2201.02(13), electric mobility devices, as the term is defined in § 50-2201.02(6A), motorized bicycles, as the term is defined in § 50-2201.02(11A), or a battery-operated wheelchair when operated by a person with a disability.
(5) “Nonresident” means every person who is not a resident of the District of Columbia.
(6) “Nonresident’s operating privilege” means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of the District of Columbia pertaining to the operation by such person of a motor vehicle, or the use of a vehicle owned by such person, in the District of Columbia.
(7) “Owner” means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
(8) “Person” means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation.
(9) “Public highway” means any street, road, or public thoroughfare.
(10) “Registration” means the registration plates issued under the laws of the District of Columbia pertaining to the registration of vehicles.
(11) “Vehicle” means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
Subchapter II. Administration of Chapter.
§ 50–1301.03. Administration.
(a) The Mayor shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Mayor may issue rules necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the amendment and revision of Chapter 8 of 18 DCMR. The fee for the reinstatement of a license or of a registration certificate shall be $98.
(b) The Mayor shall receive and consider any pertinent information upon request of persons aggrieved by their orders or acts under any of the provisions of this chapter.
(c) The Mayor shall prescribe and provide suitable forms requisite or deemed necessary for the purpose of this chapter.
(d) The Mayor shall retain records required for the administration of this chapter for a period of 5 years, after which the Mayor may destroy or otherwise dispose of such records.
(e) Nothing in this chapter shall diminish or affect, or be construed to diminish or affect any rights, duties, or obligations of any person under the Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act of 1982.
§ 50–1301.04. Review by Mayor.
(a) Any order or act of any agent of the Mayor under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to review by the Mayor. Application for review of any such order or act shall be in writing and shall set out in detail the reasons for such review. Such application shall be filed with the Mayor within 5 days after the issuance of the order or occurrence of the act in question. If upon review the Mayor shall sustain such order or act, the same shall become effective immediately.
(b) Any person whose license or motor vehicle registration shall be denied, suspended, or revoked by the Mayor under the provisions of this chapter may, within 30 days after such denial, revocation, or suspension has been reviewed by the Mayor and sustained by him, file in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals an application for the allowance of an appeal from the order or decision of the Mayor. Appeal shall be as provided in subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section the provisions of title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act (§ 2-501 et seq.), and particularly those of § 2-509, apply to each proceeding, decision, or other administrative action specified in this chapter.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the phrase “review by the Mayor” shall mean a review by the Mayor of the District of Columbia or a review by any board of review established by the Mayor of the District of Columbia to review the order or act of any agent of the Mayor pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. No member of such board of review established by the Mayor shall review any of his own orders or acts.
§ 50–1301.05. Abstract of operating record.
(a)(1) The Mayor shall, upon request, furnish any person a certified abstract of the District of Columbia operating record of any person subject to the provisions of this chapter, which abstract shall include enumeration of any motor vehicle accidents in which such person has been involved and reference to any convictions of said person for violation of the motor vehicle laws as reported to the Mayor and a record of any vehicles registered in the name of such person. The Mayor shall collect for each abstract the sum of $7.
(2) The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia are authorized to certify, for any purpose, an operating record abstract.
(b) The Mayor shall upon request furnish any person an uncertified abstract of the District operating record of any person subject to the provisions of this chapter, which abstract shall include enumeration of any motor vehicle accidents in which such person has been involved and reference to any convictions of said person for violation of the motor vehicle laws, as reported to the Mayor. The Mayor shall collect for each such uncertified abstract a sum equal to the cost to the District of furnishing such abstract, as such cost may be determined by the Mayor from time to time.
§ 50–1301.05a. Production of documentary material.
(a) A certified copy of any record of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall be deemed authentic without further testimony as evidence in any judicial proceeding or administrative hearing.
(b) The Director may satisfy a Superior Court subpoena directed to the production of documents by providing a duly authenticated copy of any record or other document in the possession of the Department in the form of a photocopy, computer printout, or reproduction of an electronically digitalized or recorded document or information, irrespective of the existence of a corresponding original document.
§ 50–1301.06. Information regarding financial responsibility to be furnished person injured.
The Mayor shall furnish to any person who may be injured in person or property by any motor vehicle, upon written request, a statement that the owner or operator of any motor vehicle has furnished evidence of his ability to respond in damages in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and if such owner or operator shall have furnished evidence of having had in effect at the time of such injury or damage a motor vehicle liability policy, the name and address of the insurance carrier writing such policy. The Mayor shall collect for each abstract the sum of $7.
§ 50–1301.07. Service of process on nonresident.
(a) The operation by a nonresident or by his agent of a motor vehicle on any public highway of the District of Columbia shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by such nonresident of the Mayor or his successor in office to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceedings against such nonresident growing out of any accident or collision in which said nonresident or his agent may be involved while operating a motor vehicle on any such public highway, and said operation shall be a signification of his agreement that any such process against him, which is so served, shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon him personally in the District of Columbia. Service of such process shall be made by leaving a copy of the process with a fee of $2 in the hands of the Mayor or in his office, and such service shall be sufficient service upon the said nonresident; provided, that notice of such service and a copy of the summons and complaint are forthwith sent by certified mail without return receipt requested by the plaintiff, or his attorney, to the defendant at his last known address. The plaintiff has a duty to exercise due diligence in the investigation of the last known address of the defendant. The court in which the action is pending may order such continuances as may be necessary to afford the defendant a reasonable opportunity to defend the action, and no judgment by default in any such action shall be granted until at least 20 days shall have elapsed after attempted service upon the defendant, as hereinabove provided, of a copy of the process and notice of service of said process upon the Mayor.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term “operation” as used in connection with a motor vehicle includes any use as well as any operation of such vehicle.
(2) The term “nonresident” shall include any person who is not a resident of the District of Columbia and who was the owner or operator of a motor vehicle at the time such vehicle was involved in an accident or collision in the District of Columbia, and includes any such person who was a resident of the District of Columbia at the time such motor vehicle was involved in such accident or collision but who subsequently became a nonresident of the District of Columbia and is a nonresident thereof at the time process is sought to be served on him as a result of such accident or collision.
(c) The appointment of the Mayor or his successor in office to be the true and lawful attorney for such nonresident as provided by this section shall be irrevocable and binding upon the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of such nonresident. Where a nonresident has been served in accordance with this section and he dies thereafter, the court must allow the action to be continued against his executor, administrator, or other personal representative upon motion, and with such notice as the court deems proper. Except as otherwise provided in the 2 preceding sentences, service of process may be made on the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of a nonresident in the same manner as is provided in this section in the case of a nonresident.
§ 50–1301.07a. Service of process on District residents.
(a) Service of process may be made pursuant to the rules of the Superior Court on a defendant who is a resident and who was the owner or operator of a motor vehicle at the time such vehicle was involved in a collision on any public highway of the District.
(b) When proof is made by affidavit that good faith efforts to serve a defendant pursuant to subsection (a) of this section have not succeeded, the court may order any other means of service that it considers appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably calculated to give actual notice, including by ordering that service be made upon the liability carrier to the defendant, the attorney the liability carrier retained, or the claims adjuster assigned to the claim. Such service shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the defendant personally in the District.
(c) Notice of service made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall include a copy of the summons and complaint and shall be sent by certified mail without return receipt requested by the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, to the defendant at the defendant's last known address. The plaintiff has a duty to exercise due diligence in the investigation of the last known address of the defendant.
(d) The methods of service provided in this section are in addition to any other means of service that may be provided by statute or rule for obtaining jurisdiction over a defendant.
(e) For the purposes of this section, the term "resident" shall include any person who is a resident of the District at the time of the collision or who was not a resident of the District at the time of the collision but subsequently became a resident of the District and is a resident of the District at the time process is sought to be served on the person as a result of such collision.
§ 50–1301.08. Operator deemed to be agent of owner.
Whenever any motor vehicle, after the passage of this chapter, shall be operated upon the public highways of the District of Columbia by any person other than the owner, with the consent of the owner, express or implied, the operator thereof shall in case of accident, be deemed to be the agent of the owner of such motor vehicle, and the proof of the ownership of said motor vehicle shall be prima facie evidence that such person operated said motor vehicle with the consent of the owner.
§ 50–1301.09. Motor Vehicle Owners’ and Operators’ Financial Responsibility Fund, D. C. [Repealed]
Subchapter IV. Security Following Accident. [Repealed].
§ 50–1301.16. Deposit of security — When applicable. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.17. Deposit of security — Amount. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.18. Deposit of security — Exceptions. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.19. Automobile liability policy or bond; requirements. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.20. Deposit of security — Generally. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.21. Deposit of security — Suspension for failure. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.22. Deposit of security — Release from liability. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.23. Deposit of security — Adjudication of nonliability. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.24. Agreements for payment of damages. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.25. Payment upon judgment; release of judgment debtor. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.26. Termination of security requirement. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.27. Duration of suspension. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.28. Nonresidents; unlicensed drivers; unregistered vehicles; accidents in other states. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.29. Mayor authorized to decrease amount of security. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.30. Correction of Mayor’s action within 1 year. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.31. Disposition of security. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.32. Return of deposit. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.33. Matters not to be evidence in civil suits. [Repealed]
Repealed.
Subchapter V. Proof of Financial Responsibility.
§ 50–1301.34. Persons required to deposit proof of future responsibility.
The provisions of this chapter requiring the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future, subject to certain exemptions, shall apply with respect to persons who have been convicted of or forfeited bail for certain offenses under motor vehicle laws or who have failed to pay judgments upon causes of action arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of vehicles of a type subject to registration under the laws of the District of Columbia.
§ 50–1301.35. “Proof of financial responsibility for the future”, “proof”, or “proof of financial responsibility” defined.
The terms “proof of financial responsibility for the future” or “proof” or “proof of financial responsibility” as used in this chapter shall mean: Proof that the motor vehicle subject to registration or reciprocity under the laws of the District of Columbia is an insured motor vehicle under the provisions of the Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act of 1982.
§ 50–1301.36. “Judgment” and “state” defined.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall, for the purpose of such sections, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
(1) The term “judgment” shall mean any judgment which shall have become final by expiration without appeal of the time within which an appeal might have been perfected, or by final affirmation on appeal, rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction of any state, the District of Columbia, or of the United States, upon a cause of action arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any vehicle of a type subject to registration under the laws of the District of Columbia, for damages, including damages for care and loss of services, because of bodily injury to or death of any person, or for damages because of injury to or destruction of property including the loss of use thereof, or upon a cause of action on an agreement of settlement for such damages.
(2) The term “state” shall mean any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any province of the Dominion of Canada.
§ 50–1301.37. Suspension of license and registration for certain convictions; effect of proof of financial responsibility; vehicles owned or leased by the United States, a state, or a political subdivision thereof; suspension for foreign convictions.
(a) The license and registration of all vehicles registered in the name of any person who by a final order or judgment shall have been convicted of, or shall have forfeited any bond or collateral given to secure appearance for trial for a violation of any of the following provisions of law: (1) operating a motor vehicle while the person is intoxicated as defined by § 50-2206.01(9), or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or any combination thereof, or while the ability to operate a vehicle is impaired by the consumption of intoxicating liquor, or an individual under 21 years of age operating a motor vehicle when the individual’s blood, breath, or urine contains any measurable amount of alcohol; (2) any homicide committed by means of a motor vehicle; (3) leaving the scene of an accident in which the motor vehicle driven by him was involved and in which there is personal injury, without giving assistance or making known his identity and address and the identity and address of the owner of said vehicle; (4) aggravated reckless driving; (5) any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used; or (6) a conviction of, or forfeiture of bail or collateral for an offense in any state which, if committed in the District of Columbia, would be one of the offenses listed in clauses (1) through (5) of this subsection; shall be suspended by the Mayor and shall remain so suspended and shall not at any time thereafter be renewed, nor shall any other motor vehicle be thereafter registered in the name of such person as owner, except that: (1) if such owner has previously given or shall immediately give and thereafter maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all such vehicles registered by such person as the owner, the Mayor shall not suspend such registration unless otherwise required or permitted by law; or (2) if a conviction arose out of the operation, with permission, of a vehicle owned by or leased to the United States, the District of Columbia, a state, or a political subdivision of a state or a municipality thereof, the Mayor shall not suspend the registration of any vehicle so owned or leased. If such person be not a resident of the District of Columbia, the privilege of operating any motor vehicle in the District of Columbia and the privilege of operation within the District of Columbia of any motor vehicle owned by him shall be suspended until he shall have furnished proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all such vehicles registered by such person as the owner, and such person shall not be allowed a license, nor shall such owner be allowed to register any vehicle in the District of Columbia, until he has complied with the requirements of this subchapter to the same extent that would be necessary if, at the time of the conviction or forfeiture, he had held a license or had been the owner of a vehicle registered in the District of Columbia.
(b) Upon receipt of a certification from any state that the operating privilege of a resident of the District of Columbia has been suspended or revoked pursuant to a law providing for such suspension or revocation for a conviction or forfeiture under circumstances which would require the Mayor to suspend a nonresident’s operating privilege had the offense occurred in the District of Columbia, the Mayor shall suspend the license of such resident and the registration of all vehicles registered in his name.
§ 50–1301.38. Duration of suspension.
The suspension or revocation hereinbefore required shall remain in effect and the Mayor shall not issue to such person any new or renewal of license or register or reregister in the name of such person as owner of any such vehicle until permitted under the motor vehicle laws of the District of Columbia and not then unless and until such person shall give and thereafter maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future.
§ 50–1301.39. Suspension of unlicensed or licensed person after certain convictions; proof of financial responsibility required; certificate of conviction to be forwarded to Mayor.
(a) If a person by final order or judgment is convicted of or forfeits any bail or collateral deposited to secure an appearance for trial for driving a motor vehicle within the District of Columbia at a time when his license is suspended or revoked, the operating privilege of such person shall be suspended and no license shall thereafter be issued to such person, but if such person has obtained a license prior to the time the Mayor has issued an order precluding the issuance of such license, then such license shall be suspended; and no vehicle shall continue to be registered or thereafter be registered in the name of such person as owner, unless such person shall give and thereafter maintain proof of financial responsibility.
(b) It shall be the duty of the clerk of the court in which any such conviction or forfeiture is ordered to forward immediately to the Mayor a certified copy of said order, which certified copy shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
§ 50–1301.40. Suspension of nonresidents’ operating privilege; duration.
Whenever the Mayor suspends or revokes a nonresident’s operating privilege by reason of a conviction or forfeiture of bail, such privilege shall remain so suspended or revoked unless such person shall have previously given or shall immediately give and thereafter maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future.
§ 50–1301.41. Report by courts of nonpayment of judgments.
Whenever any person fails within 30 days to satisfy any judgment, then upon the written request of the judgment creditor or his attorney it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court in which any such judgment is rendered within the District of Columbia to forward to the Mayor immediately upon such request a certificate of facts relative to such judgment, upon a form provided by the Mayor, which said certificate shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.
§ 50–1301.42. Judgment against a nonresident — Transmittal of copy to license and registration official of defendant’s state.
If the defendant named in any certified copy of a judgment reported to the Mayor is a nonresident, the Mayor shall transmit a certified copy of the judgment to the official in charge of the issuance of licenses and registrations of the state of which the defendant is a resident.
§ 50–1301.43. Judgment against a nonresident — Suspension for nonpayment. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.44. Government vehicles; exception as to nonpayment of judgment provisions. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.45. Consent by judgment creditor to retention of license, registration, or operating privileges by judgment debtor. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.46. Effect of Mayor’s finding that insurer obligated to pay judgment. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.47. Continuance of suspension until judgment paid and proof given. [Repealed]
(a) Judgments herein referred to shall, for the purpose of this chapter only, be deemed satisfied:
(1) When $10,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments rendered in excess of that amount because of bodily injury to or death of 1 person as the result of any one accident; or
(2) When, subject to such limit of $10,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 1 person, the sum of $20,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments rendered in excess of that amount because of bodily injury or death of 2 or more persons as the result of any one accident; or
(3) When $5,000 has been credited upon any judgment or judgments rendered in excess of that amount because of injury to or destruction of property of others as a result of any one accident.
(b) Payments made in settlements of any claims because of bodily injury, death, or property damage arising from such accident shall be credited in reduction of the amounts provided for in this section.
§ 50–1301.50. Installment payment of judgments — Permitted.
(a) A judgment debtor upon due notice to the judgment creditor may apply to the court in which such judgment was rendered for the privilege of paying such judgment in installments and the court, in its discretion and without prejudice to any other legal remedies which the judgment creditor may have, may so order and fix the amounts and times of payment of the installments.
(b) Repealed.
§ 50–1301.51. Installment payment of judgments — Default. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.52. Proof required for each registered vehicle.
No vehicle shall be or continue to be registered in the name of any person required to file proof of financial responsibility for the future unless such proof shall be furnished for such vehicle.
§ 50–1301.53. Alternate methods of giving proof.
Proof of financial responsibility when required under this chapter, with respect to such a vehicle or with respect to a person who is not the owner of such a vehicle may be given by filing:
(1) A certificate of insurance, as provided in § 50-1301.54 or 50-1301.55; or
(2) A certificate of self-insurance, as provided in § 50-1301.79, supplemented by an agreement by the self-insurer that, with respect to accidents occurring while the certificate is in force, he will pay the same amounts that an insurer would have been obliged to pay under an owner’s motor vehicle liability policy if it had issued such a policy to said self-insurer.
§ 50–1301.54. Certificate of insurance as proof.
Proof of financial responsibility for the future may be furnished by filing with the Mayor the written certificate of any insurance carrier duly authorized to do business in the District of Columbia certifying that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility. Such certificate shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall be the same as the effective date of the certificate, and shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference all vehicles covered thereby unless the policy is issued to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle.
§ 50–1301.55. Certificate filed by nonresident as proof of financial responsibility.
A nonresident may give proof of financial responsibility by filing with the Mayor a written certificate or certificates of an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in the state in which the vehicle, or vehicles, owned by such nonresident is registered, or in the state in which such nonresident resides, if he does not own a vehicle, provided such certificate otherwise conforms with the provisions of this chapter, and the Mayor shall accept the same upon condition that said insurance carrier complies with the following provisions with respect to the policies so certified:
(1) Said insurance carrier shall execute a power of attorney authorizing the Mayor to accept service on its behalf of notice or process in any action arising out of a motor vehicle accident in the District of Columbia;
(2) Said insurance carrier shall agree in writing that such policies shall be deemed to conform with the laws of the District of Columbia relating to the terms of motor vehicle liability policies issued therein.
§ 50–1301.56. Default by nonresident insurance carrier.
If any insurance carrier not authorized to transact business in the District of Columbia, which has qualified to furnish proof of financial responsibility defaults in any said undertakings or agreements, the Mayor shall not thereafter accept as proof any certificate of said carrier whether theretofore filed or thereafter tendered as proof, so long as such default continues.
§ 50–1301.58. Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.59. Provisions of chapter not to affect other policies.
(a) This chapter shall not be held to apply to or affect policies of automobile insurance against liability which may now or hereafter be required by any other law of the District of Columbia, and such policies, if they contain an agreement or are endorsed to conform with the requirements of this chapter may be certified as proof of financial responsibility under this chapter.
(b) This chapter shall not be held to apply to or affect policies insuring solely the insured named in the policy against liability resulting from the maintenance or use by persons in the insured’s employ or on his behalf of vehicles not owned by the insured.
§ 50–1301.60. Surety bond — Proof of financial responsibility. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.61. Surety bond — Lien against scheduled real estate. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.62. Surety bond — Right of action. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.63. Deposit of money with Mayor — Proof of financial responsibility. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.64. Deposit of money with Mayor — Limits on application. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.65. Owner of a motor vehicle may give proof for others.
The owner of a motor vehicle may give proof of financial responsibility on behalf of his employee or a member of his immediate family or household in lieu of the furnishing of proof by any said person. The furnishing of such proof shall permit such person to operate only a motor vehicle covered by such proof. The Mayor shall endorse appropriate restrictions on the face of the license held by such person, or may issue a new license containing such restrictions.
§ 50–1301.66. Substitution of proof.
The Mayor shall consent to the cancellation of any certificate of insurance upon the substitution and acceptance of other adequate proof of financial responsibility pursuant to this chapter.
§ 50–1301.67. Requirement of other proof of financial responsibility.
Whenever any proof of financial responsibility filed under the provisions of this chapter no longer fulfills the purposes for which required, the Mayor shall, for the purpose of this chapter, require other proof as required by this chapter.
§ 50–1301.68. Cancellation of certificate; waiver of filing proof.
The Mayor shall upon request consent to the immediate cancellation of any certificate of insurance, or the Mayor shall waive the requirements of filing proof, in any of the following events:
(1) In the event of the death of the person on whose behalf such proof was filed or the permanent incapacity of such person to operate a motor vehicle; or
(2) In the event the person who has given proof surrenders his license and registration to the Mayor.
Subchapter VI. Violation of Provisions of Chapter; Penalties.
§ 50–1301.69. Transfer of registration to defeat purpose of chapter.
(a) If an owner’s registration has been suspended hereunder, such registration shall not be transferred nor the vehicle in respect to which such registration was issued registered in any other name until the Mayor is satisfied that such transfer of registration is proposed in good faith and not for the purpose or with the effect of defeating the purposes of this chapter.
(b) Nothing in this section shall in anywise affect the rights of any conditional vendor, chattel mortgagee or lessor of such a vehicle registered in the name of another as owner who becomes subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) The Mayor shall suspend the registration of any vehicle transferred in violation of the provisions of this section.
§ 50–1301.70. Surrender of license and registration.
Any person whose license or registration shall have been suspended under any provision of this chapter, or whose policy of insurance, when required under this chapter, shall have been cancelled or terminated, shall immediately return his license and registration to the Mayor. If any person shall fail to return to the Mayor the license or registration as provided herein, the Mayor shall forthwith direct any police officer to secure possession thereof and to return the same to the Mayor.
§ 50–1301.71. Failure to report accident; penalty. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.72. False information or forged signature in accident report; forged evidence of proof of financial responsibility; false swearing. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.73. Operating motor vehicle when license suspended or revoked. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.74. Failure to return license or registration; penalty.
Any person willfully failing to return a license or registration as required in § 50-1301.70, or when otherwise requested in writing by the Mayor shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned not to exceed 30 days, or both.
§ 50–1301.75. Penalty for violations of chapter.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter for which no penalty is otherwise provided shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both.
§ 50–1301.76. Jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as to prosecutions for violations of provisions of chapter.
All prosecutions for violations of this chapter shall be in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, in the name of the District of Columbia, by the Corporation Counsel or any of his assistants.
Subchapter VII. General Provisions.
§ 50–1301.77. Effect of headings.
Subchapter and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any subchapter hereof.
§ 50–1301.78. Vehicles insured under other laws; exception. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 50–1301.79. Self-insurers.
(a) Any person in whose name more than 25 vehicles are registered in the District of Columbia may qualify as a self-insurer by obtaining a certificate of self-insurance issued by the Mayor as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Mayor may, in his discretion, upon the application of such a person, issue a certificate of self-insurance when he is satisfied that such person is possessed and will continue to be possessed of ability to pay judgments obtained against such person. Such certificate may be issued authorizing a person to act as a self-insurer for either property damage or bodily injury, or both, and shall provide for the payment of benefits to the extent required by the Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act of 1982.
(c) Upon not less than 5 days notice and a hearing pursuant to such notice, the Mayor may upon reasonable grounds cancel a certificate of self-insurance. Failure to pay any judgment within 30 days after such judgment shall have become final shall constitute a reasonable ground for the cancellation of a certificate of self-insurance.
§ 50–1301.80. Appropriations authorized.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of the General Fund of the District of Columbia such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
§ 50–1301.81. Effect of Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1952.
Where any provision of this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, refers to an office or agency abolished by Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1952, such reference shall be deemed to be the office, agency, or officer exercising the functions of the office or agency so abolished.
§ 50–1301.82. Effect of chapter on prior law.
(a) This chapter shall in no respect be considered as a repeal of the Traffic Acts of the District of Columbia, except as specifically provided herein, but shall be construed as supplemental thereto.
(b) The Owners’ Financial Responsibility Act of the District of Columbia, is hereby repealed except with respect to any accident or judgment arising therefrom occurring prior to the effective date of this chapter. Section 50-1301.68 shall govern as to the duration of proof of financial responsibility in all cases arising under the aforementioned Act.
§ 50–1301.83. Chapter not applied retroactively.
This chapter shall not apply with respect to any accident, or judgment arising therefrom, or violation of the motor vehicle laws of the District of Columbia, occurring prior to May 25, 1955.
§ 50–1301.84. Provisions of chapter not to prevent other processes provided by law.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing the plaintiff in any action at law from relying for relief upon the other processes provided by law.
§ 50–1301.85. Interpretation of chapter.
This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make it uniform with similar laws enacted by the several states.
§ 50–1301.86. Severability of provisions.
If any part or parts of this chapter shall be held unconstitutional, such unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this chapter.
