Payday loans in District of Columbia: what the law allows
No. District of Columbia doesn't allow payday loans at typical payday costs. District of Columbia doesn't allow car title loans at typical title loan costs.
District of Columbia
Payday loans
Not allowed
Car title loans
Not allowed
“will be subject to the District's maximum allowable annual interest rate of 24 percent applicable to all consumer lending”
DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)Look up a lender's license
Checked 2026-09-15. Laws change; confirm with the regulator before you borrow.
Before you borrow
A payment plan, a paycheck advance or a credit union payday alternative loan usually costs less than a payday or title loan.
Compare every option by costAlready behind on a payday loan?
See every way out of the debt you have, including options nobody sells.
Start a Debt CheckRun the numbers
Payday loan calculator
The fee, the APR and what renewing the loan adds up to.
Payday alternative loan (PAL) calculator
Credit union PAL limits, payment and cost next to a payday loan.
Need money now? Every option priced
Every way to cover a shortfall, priced in dollars, cheapest first.
Loan scam checker
The warning signs of a fake loan offer, checked one by one.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in District of Columbia?
No. District of Columbia doesn't allow payday loans at typical payday costs.
Are car title loans legal in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia doesn't allow car title loans at typical title loan costs.
How do I check a lender's license in District of Columbia?
Look the lender up with DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), which licenses lenders in District of Columbia.
Do these rules protect service members?
Yes. The Military Lending Act limits payday and car title loans for covered service members to 36%, in every state.
Information, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with the state regulator.