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District of Columbia

Learning all those rules in the District of Columbia driver’s manual isn’t easy. However, we do have practice tests that make the learning easier. Our tests include the District of Columbia teen permit test and the driver’s license renewal test.

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District of Columbia DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Washington DC License
  • Preparing For Your DC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your DC Permit Test
  • Renewing Your DC License
  • Taking Your DC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your DC Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Washington DC or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Washington, D.C. uses a graduated driver's license program, which gives you different responsibilities over a period of time.

If you're under 18 and driving on your learner's permit, you'll need to:

  • Be accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old.
  • Only drive between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

If you're driving on your provisional license, you may only have 1 passenger who's not a member of your immediate family. They must be fully licensed and at least 21 years old.

If you're driving on your full license with conditions, you may have up to 2 passengers not in your immediate family who are under 21 years old.

If you're driving on a provisional or full license with conditions, you may also only drive during certain times, including:

  • September - June:
    • Monday - Thursday: 6:01 a.m. - 10:59 p.m.
    • Friday - Sunday: 6:01 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
  • July - August: 
    • Every day, 6:01 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.

Timing restrictions may be waived if you're driving:

  • With a fully licensed passenger, age 21 or older.
  • To or from:
    • School.
    • Church.
    • An athletic event or training session.

Once you turn 21, all restrictions on your license are lifted.

Once I get my DC permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your Washington, D.C. instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 21 years old and fully licensed.

What happens after I pass my DC road test?

What happens after you pass your Washington, D.C. road test depends on your age:

  • If you're under 21: You will be given your provisional license.
  • If you're 21 or older: you will receive your full driver's license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

While driving with your Washington, D.C. learner's permit, you can drive with anyone who's 21 or older and fully-licensed. You will not be able to have any other passengers in the vehicle.

What are the auto insurance requirements for Washington, D.C. drivers?

All Washington, D.C. motorists are required to carry:

  • Bodily injury liability insurance that covers at least:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability coverage for at least $10,000.
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury that covers:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.
  • Underinsured motorist bodily injury that covers:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

How To Get A Washington DC Driver’s License

Driving is a wonderful privilege. But in order to earn it in Washington, D.C., you have to prove to the District of Columbia’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you can responsibly handle a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.

Still, the process looks slightly different, depending on your age and the type of vehicle you want to drive.

Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) Program (Age 16-20)

The District of Columbia’s DMV follows a system called the Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) program, which allocates certain driving privileges over a period of time.

The process has several steps, and you can start once you turn 16 years old.

Learner’s Permit

The first step toward getting a full driver’s license in the GRAD program is getting a learner’s permit. This will allow you to drive as long as:

  • You’re accompanied by someone who’s at least 21 years old and has their full license.
    • No other passengers allowed.
  • It’s between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In order to apply, schedule an appointment with the closest participating Department of Motor Vehicles office and bring:

You’ll also need to successfully pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.

After the above requirements are met, you’ll be issued your learner’s permit.

This credential is good for 2 years, but you’ll have to practice for at least 6 months before you can apply for the next step.

Provisional License

After practicing for a minimum of 6 months on your learner’s permit, you can apply for your provisional license. Earning this credential involves passing the driving skills exam, in which you’ll drive on actual D.C. roads with an examiner.

Make another appointment with the DMV and bring:

  • Your current, valid learner’s permit.
  • A Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License form.
    • Must be signed by a parent or guardian.
    • Certifies 40 hours of driving practice.
  • The road skills exam fee.

The vehicle you test in must also have current, valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.
  • Inspection stickers.

You’ll also have to show up to this appointment with a licensed driver who’s 21 or older.

After successfully passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your provisional license. Restrictions on this credential include:

  • Only having one passenger.
    • Must be at least 21 and fully licensed.
  • Only driving during the following times:
  • September – June:
    • Monday – Thursday: 6:01 a.m. – 10:59 p.m.
    • Friday – Sunday: 6:01 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
  • July – August: 
    • Every day, 6:01 a.m. – 11:59 a.m.

Timing restrictions may be waived if you’re driving:

  • With a fully licensed passenger, age 21 or older.
  • To or from:
    • School.
    • Church.
    • An athletic event or training session.

Full Driver’s License With Conditions

After holding your provisional license for at least 6 months with no violations, you’ll be eligible to upgrade to your full driver’s license with conditions.

To get this credential, return to the DMV once more and bring:

  • Your current, valid provisional license.
  • The D.C. driver’s license fee.
  • A Certification of Eligibility for Full Driver’s License form.
    • Must be signed by a parent or guardian.
    • Certifies 10 hours of night driving practice.

The DMV will then turn your provisional license into a full one with conditions.

The conditions include:

  • Only having 2 passengers under 21 years old who are not direct relatives.
  • The same time restrictions as the provisional license.

Your full driver’s license with conditions will be in effect until you turn 21.

Full Driver’s License

Once you turn 21, you’ll be able to upgrade to a full driver’s license.

There are no conditions or restrictions on this license. Congratulations!

To earn the credential, simply go to the DMV and bring:

You’ll then be issued your license. The credential is good for 8 years.

Driver’s License (Age 21+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in Washington, D.C. and you’re 21 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to take the written knowledge exam.

Schedule an appointment with your closest participating DMV office and bring:

You’ll also need to successfully pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.

While driving on your permit, you’ll need to be accompanied by someone age 21 or older who has their full license.

This credential is good for 2 years, but you can apply for your full license as soon as you feel ready.

Road Skills Exam

To earn your full license, you’ll have to take the road skills exam. Schedule an appointment with the DMV and bring:

Note that you’ll have to show up to this appointment accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger age 21 or older. The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.
  • Inspection stickers.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your full driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to the District of Columbia!

If you’re new to Washington, D.C., you’ll have to transfer your out-of-state license within 60 days of relocating.

To do so, schedule an appointment with your closest participating Department of Motor Vehicles office and bring:

You’ll also need to pass a vision test at this appointment.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new Washington, D.C. license.

District of Columbia DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

District of Columbia Motorcycle License

To legally ride a motorcycle in the District of Columbia, you’ll need a motorcycle endorsement.

In order to earn one, you must first:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a Washington, D.C. license.

After that, the process involves getting your motorcycle permit, and then your motorcycle endorsement.

Motorcycle Permit

The first step toward earning your endorsement is getting your D.C. motorcycle permit. To do so, you’ll have to pass the written knowledge exam.

Schedule an appointment with the closest participating DMV office and bring:

Completing the above will earn you your motorcycle permit. This will allow you to participate in the second part of the process: The Motorcycle Demonstration Course.

Motorcycle License

You’ll have to successfully pass a Motorcycle Demonstration Course in order to earn your motorcycle license in D.C.

This course is taken in lieu of a DMV-administered road skills test.

After successfully passing the course, you’ll have 6 months to turn the certification into a motorcycle endorsement. You can apply for the endorsement online, and you’ll also have to pay the appropriate fee.

After all of the above is completed, you’ll have your motorcycle endorsement. Congratulations!

District of Columbia CDL Requirements

Washington, D.C. Commercial Driver’s License

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) will allow you to drive larger vehicles and get paid for driving. Before you can start the process, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a valid Washington, D.C. license.

You’ll also need to complete a few additional requirements before starting the process, including:

  • Passing a medical exam.
  • Generating a 10-year driver history report.

Once the above is complete, you can begin the CDL process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first step toward getting your commercial driver’s license is getting your commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

The process involves passing your written knowledge exam.

Schedule an appointment with your closest participating DMV office and bring:

  • Your medical exam certification.
  • Your driving history report.
  • Your current, valid D.C. driver’s license.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Washington, D.C. residency.
  • The appropriate testing fee.

After the paperwork is filed, the fee paid and the test passed, you’ll be issued your commercial learner’s permit.

You’ll be given a paper permit good for 45 days and mailed a more permanent permit, which will be good for a year from the date which you passed your test.

While practicing on your permit, you must:

  • Drive while accompanied by a CDL-holder who’s at least 21 years old.
  • Hold your permit for at least 30 calendar days before you can schedule a driving exam.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam.

Schedule an appointment with the DMV and bring:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Your medical exam certification.
  • The Washington, D.C. CDL fee.

You must arrive to this appointment in a commercial vehicle with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

District of Columbia DMV Handbooks

District of Columbia CDL Handbook

District of Columbia CDL Handbook

District of Columbia CDL Handbook
District of Columbia Driver's License Handbook

District of Columbia Driver's License Handbook

District of Columbia Driver's License Handbook
District of Columbia Motorcycle Handbook

District of Columbia Motorcycle Handbook

District of Columbia Motorcycle Handbook