Washington D.C. driver license guide

The basics for Washington D.C., in plain English. Every fact links to the official page it came from, so you can confirm it yourself. Last checked Nov 15, 2026.

Getting a Washington D.C. learner permitSteps and official links →Getting your first Washington D.C. driver licenseSteps and official links →Renewing a Washington D.C. driver licenseSteps and official links →Getting a REAL ID in Washington D.C.Steps and official links →Moving to Washington D.C.: transferring your licenseSteps and official links →Replacing a lost Washington D.C. driver licenseSteps and official links →

Facts

Washington D.C. at a glance

Rules and fees change. Use the source link to confirm before you go.

Minimum age for a learner permit: 16.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Learner permit fee: $20 for the permit. The knowledge test costs extra: $10 at a DMV service center, $39.95 at the Test Proctoring Center, or $49.95 online.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Knowledge test fee: $10 at a DC DMV service center. You pay it whether you pass or fail.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Driver license fee: $47 for an 8-year license, first-time or renewal. A provisional license is $20.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Card payment surcharge: Since December 15, 2025, debit and credit card payments carry a 2.5% service fee.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Parental consent: Applicants aged 16 or 17 need the DMV parental consent form, plus a birth certificate, adoption order or guardianship decree showing the relationship.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
How long the permit is valid: 2 years for U.S. citizens, and it can't be renewed. For non-citizens it depends on the approved length of stay.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Permit holding period (under 21): At least 6 months before you can get a provisional license. Drivers who turn 21 are released from the GRAD program and can book a road test right away.Source: code.dccouncil.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Learner permit restrictions: Drive only from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a licensed driver 21 or older belted in the seat beside you, and only for pleasure, not pay.Source: code.dccouncil.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Permit driving hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
REAL ID vs. Limited Purpose permit: Your permit is REAL ID or Limited Purpose, depending on whether you have a valid Social Security number.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Documents for a permit: A completed application plus documents in four categories: identity and age, two proofs of DC residency, Social Security number, and parental consent if 16-17. Unlisted documents are refused.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Originals only: Bring original documents. Photocopies, altered or notarized copies are not accepted unless a page says so.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Debts block a permit: No permit if you owe the District money or have unpaid moving-violation fines in other jurisdictions.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Walk-in or appointment: Knowledge tests at service centers are walk-in, first come, first served. Virtual and Test Proctoring Center tests need an appointment, and so do all road tests.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Virtual knowledge test: Available by appointment for the standard and GRAD (16-20) tests, online or at the Test Proctoring Center. Motorcycle and CDL tests are excluded.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
After passing the knowledge test: Visit a service center with all your documents within 14 business days, or the result is void and you must retest.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Knowledge test languages: 24 languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, and (since December 15, 2025) Turkish, Hungarian, Finnish, Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Farsi, Italian and Swedish. Audio-assisted tests are offered.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Time limit: 75 minutes for the GRAD/learner permit knowledge test. Going over the limit counts as a fail.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
If you fail the knowledge test: Wait three full calendar days. Fail on Tuesday, and you can retest on Saturday.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Attempt limit: 6 failures in 12 months locks you out until 12 months after the first failure. Cheating means no retest for 60 days.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Vision screening: At least 20/40 in the better eye, with or without lenses (stricter field rules apply between 20/40 and 20/70). If you fail, bring an Eye Report from your eye doctor.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Driver education: Not required. The planned mandatory driver education rule was suspended indefinitely.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Supervised practice (under 21): 40 hours of practice with a tutor 21 or older who holds a full license, certified on the DMV form and brought to the road test.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
GRAD program (ages 16-20): Drivers under 21 move from learner permit, to provisional license (age 16½ or older, after the road test), to full license with conditions.Source: code.dccouncil.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Provisional license rules: Passengers: only one licensed driver 21+ in the front seat, plus siblings or parents. Hours: Sep-Jun, Sun-Thu 6 am-10:59 pm and Fri-Sat 6 am-11:59 pm; Jul-Aug, 6 am-11:59 pm daily.Source: code.dccouncil.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Full license with conditions: At 17 or older, after 6 months on a provisional license and 12 months with no point violations, certify 10 hours of night driving. The conversion can be done online for $47.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Road test booking: Appointment only, no walk-ins. Book online or by calling 311 / (202) 737-4404. Third-party testers are also available.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Road test fee: $10. Not canceling at least 48 hours ahead costs $30.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
If you fail the road test: Wait 72 hours. Six failures in 12 months locks you out until 12 months after the first failure.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Don't drive yourself to the road test: Arriving without a licensed driver 21+ means no road test for 6 months.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
License length: 8 years.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Renewal notice: DMV mails a renewal notice 60 days before expiration (or emails/texts it if you opted in). No earliest renewal date is stated.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Online and mail renewal: Only if you already hold a REAL ID (star) or Limited Purpose license, your name and address are current, and the license expired no more than 365 days ago. Provisional and CDL renewals must be done in person.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Renewal fee: $47 for 8 years.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Expired licenses: More than 365 days expired: pass the knowledge test or take DMV's online traffic school. More than 545 days: pass the knowledge and road tests.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Drivers 70 and older: A medical practitioner must complete the Mature Driver Fitness to Drive Certification. Online, it is approved first (7-10 business days).Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
REAL ID: DC issues REAL ID cards with a star in the upper right corner. Getting one means a one-time check of your identity, Social Security number and residency documents.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
REAL ID documents: Proof of identity, proof of lawful presence, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of current DC residency.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Temporary paper license: Valid 45 days. The card is mailed within 10 business days, never to P.O. boxes.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Deadline for new residents: Convert your out-of-state license once you have lived in DC more than 60 days.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Tests for new residents: No knowledge or road test if your out-of-state license is valid or expired 90 days or less. Expired more than 90 days, you take both. Vision screening applies.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Surrender your old license: Hand in your out-of-state license. If you don't have it, bring a certified driving record issued within the last 30 days.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Duplicate license fee: $20 (also $20 for a duplicate learner permit).Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
How to replace a license: Online, by mail or at a service center. Online and mail are for current REAL ID or Limited Purpose holders.Source: dmv.dc.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Official links

District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)

Agency home pagedmv.dc.gov ↗Appointmentsdmv.dc.gov ↗Driver handbookdmv.dc.gov ↗Online renewaldmv.dc.gov ↗REAL IDdmv.dc.gov ↗Permit and first licensedmv.dc.gov ↗New residentsdmv.dc.gov ↗Replace a licensedmv.dc.gov ↗Feesdmv.dc.gov ↗

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