Effective Immediately
DC Official Code § 47-2862 (a) - the “Clean Hands Act” - will be strictly enforced.
What this means:
If a person owes the District more than $100 in fines, penalties, or interest assessed pursuant to any of the acts or other items listed, the DC Taxicab Commission cannot issue or reissue a license or permit. Most frequently for DCTC applicants this applies to:
- Any personal or business taxes owed to the District of Columbia – Office of Tax and Revenue
- Any motor vehicle fines or DCTC fines that are in “unpaid” status – Department of Motor Vehicle
- Any business permit, license, fine, or fee that remains unpaid - Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs
The only exception to the mandatory language is DC Official Code sec. 47-2852 (b) regarding a pending appeal of the outstanding debt.
Immediate impact on you:
DCTC will no longer issue a license or Letter of Temporary Operating Authority to you unless you have paid, and provide a receipt, all fines, fees, and taxes due or otherwise have come into compliance under the terms of the responsible agency. You will be referred to the responsible agency to come into compliance with the Clean Hands Act and return to DCTC when you have documented proof of compliance from that agency.
As it relates to those items for which you have appeal rights, you must have filed an appeal of any fine, fee or tax obligation with the responsible agency and provide proof of such appeal in order to receive a Letter of Temporary Operating Authority that will allow you to operate pending disposition of your appeal. Please note that this process will also apply to tickets received for amounts less than $100.
Dena C. Reed, Esq.
Interim Chairperson