D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-608
If an inspection sticker becomes wholly or partly detached from the place where it was attached or becomes mutilated or lost, the registrant or the person desiring registration to whom the sticker was issued, or his or her agent, shall, within seventy-two (72) hours after the detachment, mutilation, or loss is discovered, present the motor vehicle or trailer to which the sticker was attached to the District inspection station where it was originally inspected, accompanied by the sticker, unless the sticker is lost.
If the sticker is mutilated, it shall be accompanied by a written statement explaining how the mutilation occurred.
If the sticker was lost, the motor vehicle or trailer shall be accompanied by a written statement explaining how the loss occurred.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-608