20211206 17014500 1.0 TRUE DMV Boot and Tow The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) boots or tows vehicles in the District of Columbia that have two or more 61-day-old, unpaid tickets. A boot is a device attached to the vehicle's wheel to immobilize it. The boot can be safely removed only by DPW. A booted vehicle is subject to towing immediately, if the outstanding tickets and boot fee remain unpaid. Boots are normally removed less than 2 hours after fines have been paid. A vehicle may be towed by DPW or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) if it is parked so as to create a traffic or safety hazard.