Washington School Zone Speed Limits - City Law

Public Safety District of Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026 Flag of District of Columbia

In Washington, District of Columbia, reduced speed limits around schools are established and posted to protect children and pedestrians. Drivers must follow the posted sign for each school zone; the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages signage and school-safety programs while the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) enforces speed laws and issues citations. If you drive in school areas, check local signs and follow posted limits during active school hours or when children are present, and use official DDOT information to request sign changes or new markings.[1]

How school zone speed limits are set

DDOT evaluates school zones for reduced speed limits and traffic control devices using engineering studies and safety criteria. The exact posted speed limit in any school zone is determined case-by-case and appears on regulatory signs at the site. If you believe a school zone needs a lower posted limit, DDOT provides guidance and a request pathway for traffic studies and sign changes.[1]

Follow posted signs — the posted limit controls, not general guidance.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is performed by the Metropolitan Police Department; citations for exceeding a posted school-zone speed limit may carry monetary fines and court appearances. Specific fine amounts and escalation schedules are not specified on the cited MPD and DDOT pages and must be confirmed in the District’s official traffic code or by contacting MPD directly.[2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include court orders or referrals; details not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaints: MPD handles enforcement; report dangerous speeding or request follow-up via MPD traffic units.[2]
  • Appeal and review: citation appeals and traffic ticket hearings follow MPD/DC court procedures; check the citation or MPD guidance for time limits and how to request a hearing.
If a numeric fine or schedule is needed, request the citation’s controlling statute or the District Code section cited on the ticket.

Applications & Forms

DDOT publishes procedures to request traffic studies, signage, and school-safety treatments; the specific name or form for a school-zone speed request is not specified on the cited DDOT page, but DDOT accepts online requests and service inquiries for sign changes and traffic studies.[1]

Many requests begin with an online DDOT service request for signage or a traffic study.

How to comply and act

  • Check posted signs at the school approach and follow the displayed speed limit.
  • Report persistent speeding or request enforcement by contacting MPD traffic enforcement.
  • Request a DDOT traffic study or sign change if you believe current signage is inadequate.[1]

Common violations

  • Exceeding the posted school-zone limit.
  • Failing to slow for crossing guards or children in crosswalks.
  • Ignoring temporary school crossing signs or electronic flashing beacons.

FAQ

How do I know the school zone speed limit where I drive?
Follow the posted regulatory sign at the school approach; post-specific limits are set and maintained by DDOT.[1]
Who enforces school zone speed limits?
The Metropolitan Police Department enforces posted speed limits and issues citations in school zones.[2]
How can I request a new sign or lower speed limit near a school?
Submit a DDOT service request for a traffic study or sign change; DDOT reviews requests using engineering criteria.[1]

How-To

  1. Note the exact location (address or intersection) of the school zone and photograph the existing signage.
  2. Visit DDOT’s school-safety or service-request page and complete the online request identifying the location and safety concern.[1]
  3. Contact MPD traffic enforcement to report immediate speeding problems and request enforcement at the site.[2]
  4. If issued a citation and you dispute it, follow the instructions on the ticket to request a hearing or review within the deadline printed on the citation.

Key Takeaways

  • Always obey the posted school-zone speed limit shown on local signs.
  • DDOT sets signage; MPD enforces and issues citations.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] DDOT - School safety and traffic-sign requests
  2. [2] MPD - Traffic enforcement and traffic-safety services

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data