Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I receive a citation in the mail?
Once an individual receives a red-light citation, they can pay the fine by several methods:

1.  By Mail
Mail in a check or money order to:
MCPD Automated Red Light Enforcement Program
P.O.Box 7190
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7190

When mailing in a payment, please include the payment coupon, along with writing your citation number on your check or money order.

2.  In Person
     Make a walk-in payment at either Montgomery County’s
Finance Department:
255 Rockville Pike
 Suite # L-15
 Rockville, MD 20849
 (240)777-8970
8:30 - 4:30 M-F

or

Red Light Enforcement Program
910 Clopper Road
Suite 175-S
Gaithersburg, MD  20878
301-527-1900
8:00 - 5:30 M-F

Forms of payment are cash, check, money order or credit card.  You will need to pay by certified bank check or credit card if your vehicle tags have been suspended.

3.  By Phone
Payments are accepted by phone at 301-527-1900.

4.  Online
Payments may be made online at https://onlineviolation.com/montgomerymd

What is automated photo enforcement?
Automated photo enforcement is for the safety of Montgomery County citizens. Cameras help enforce traffic laws and reduce Red-Light violations.  Photos are taken from the rear of the vehicle, capturing the license plate, not showing the passengers or the driver. 

What are the goals of the automated photo enforcement program?
Reduce traffic violations, resulting in the decrease of crashes and personal injuries. In five years, our cameras have contributed to a dramatic reduction in red-light running, thus saving hundreds of lives. 

When a violation occurs, who receives the citation?
Citations are mailed to the registered vehicle owner, as determined by the photo of the license plate. 

What if the registered vehicle owner was not driving the vehicle?
According to Maryland State law, the registered vehicle owner is responsible for the citation. However, if the driver is willing to pay the fine no points will be assessed to the vehicle owner. However, the vehicle owner may request a court date and provide the court with the actual driver of the vehicles full name and address. The judge may or may not transfer the citation to the driver. Ultimately, the vehicle owner is responsible for the citation if the fine is unpaid. 

What if your car was in a funeral procession?
The vehicle owner must contact the funeral home after receiving the citation. The funeral home then should either fax or mail a statement on their letter head confirming the citation number, date and time of the procession, along with the person’s name. Upon receiving this fax or letter, MCPD may void out the citation after review of the violation.

Can I contest a red-light citation?
All red-light citation can be contested. However, the individual must send in the court request coupon found at the bottom of the citation, 5 days prior to the initial payment due date.

Is the signal time for a yellow light the same at all intersections with red light cameras or is the signal timing independent of the red light cameras?
Yellow clearance times are specific to an intersection and are independent of the existence of a red light camera. They are determined based on an accepted traffic engineering formula that takes into account for speed and grade. Specifically, Montgomery County follows the specifications and guidelines for traffic control devices that are contained in the nationally recognized Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is published by the Federal Highway Administration. For a steady yellow signal immediately before a steady red signal at a signalized intersection, the MUTCD recommends duration of between three to six seconds. Additional guidance from the Institute of Transportation Engineers is used to establish the exact duration of the yellow signal that takes into account traffic speed and whether the approach to the intersection is uphill, downhill of flat. 

How are camera locations selected?
Police review numerous intersections based on crash data, public input (i.e. complaints about intersection safety) and police personnel observation.  Citizen requests for additional red light camera locations may be submitted to the Police Department at mcpd.redlight@montgomerycountymd.gov.