DC driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
How to get a first District of Columbia driver license or GRAD learner permit, convert an out-of-state license, renew or replace your card, and get a REAL ID or non-driver ID, based on the DC DMV's own pages.
Guide · District of Columbia · REAL ID · Driver licenses · Renewals · ID cards · updated October 29, 2026
District of Columbia driver licenses, learner permits and non-driver ID cards are issued by the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). The DMV offers two kinds of credentials. A REAL ID license or ID is federally compliant. A Limited Purpose license or ID is for District residents who do not have a Social Security number. This guide covers a first license (including the GRAD program for young drivers), converting an out-of-state license, renewing, replacing a card, REAL ID and non-driver IDs. For service center hours and the document list, see the DC DMV visit guide.
Your first DC license
The DMV lists these steps for a REAL ID driver license: application, documentation, vision screening, knowledge test, road test, photograph, fees and mailing.
- Learner permit. You must be at least 16. Fill in the Driver License/Identification Card Application. Bring your identity, Social Security and two DC residency documents to a service center, and pass the vision screening and the knowledge test. Applicants aged 16 or 17 also need the parental consent form. A REAL ID learner permit is valid for 2 years for U.S. citizens and cannot be renewed. With a permit you may drive only between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Knowledge test. It is given first-come, first-served at service centers, and the DMV lists a $10 fee. It is offered in many languages, and an audio version is available. If you fail, you wait three full calendar days before retesting. If you take the test virtually or at a Test Proctoring Center, you must bring your documents to a service center within 14 business days of passing.
- Road skills test. Appointments are required; book online or by calling 311 or (202) 737-4404. Arrive 15 minutes early with your permit and a licensed driver aged 21 or older. Bring a registered, insured vehicle, or use a DMV road test vehicle at no extra fee. Drivers under 21 also bring the 40-hour Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License form. The DMV lists the road test fee as $10. If you fail, you wait 72 hours.
The DMV lists a driver license fee of $47 for 8 years and a learner permit fee of $20.
Drivers under 21: the GRAD program
Drivers aged 16 to 21 are automatically enrolled in the Graduated License Program (GRAD), which has three stages:
- Learner permit: drive only between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Provisional license, after the permit phase and a road test. From September to June you may drive from 6 a.m. to 10:59 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. In July and August you may drive from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. every day.
- Full license, possibly with conditions depending on your age. Drivers aged 17 to 18 keep the same hours as a provisional license. There are no hour or passenger limits once you turn 18.
The hour limits do not apply when you drive to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, or a religious or athletic event. They also do not apply with a licensed driver aged 21 or older beside you. You can convert a provisional license to a full license with conditions online if all of these are true:
- You are at least 17.
- You have held the provisional license for at least 6 months.
- You have had no point-carrying offenses for 12 consecutive months.
- You submit a form certifying at least 10 hours of night driving with a licensed driver aged 21 or older.
At 21 you leave the GRAD program.
Converting an out-of-state license
If you live in the District for more than 60 days, you must convert your out-of-state license to a DC license. Exceptions include students, diplomats, active military members, part-time residents, members of Congress and presidential appointees, who can rely on reciprocity with their home state.
Bring your application and documents to a service center and surrender your current license. If you do not have it, bring a certified driving record issued within the last 30 days. It must show your license is in good standing and not expired more than 90 days. You take a vision screening and a new photo. If your out-of-state license has been expired for more than 90 days, you must also take the knowledge and road tests. You cannot convert while you owe debts to the District or have unpaid moving-violation fines elsewhere.
The DMV warns that applying for a DC ID card instead of converting cancels your out-of-state license. You would then have to retake the knowledge and road tests to get a DC license.
Renewing your license
The DMV mails a renewal notice 60 days before your license expires, or emails or texts it if you have opted in. You can renew online, by mail or in person. The DMV says you can renew online every other renewal period. You can renew online or by mail if you hold a REAL ID license (with a star in the upper right corner), a Limited Purpose license or a REAL ID provisional license and meet the online requirements. Mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days to process. If you are 70 or older, an online renewal requires the Mature Driver Fitness to Drive Certification from a licensed medical practitioner.
You may not drive with an expired license. If your license has been expired for more than 365 days, you must pass the knowledge test or complete the DMV's online traffic school course. After more than 545 days, you must pass both the knowledge and road tests.
Replacing a lost license
You can get a duplicate online, by mail or at a service center. Online, you need your driver license number. The DMV lists the duplicate fee as $20. Mail requests go to DC DMV Driver Services Administration, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090. They are processed within 7 to 10 business days and sent only to the address on your record.
REAL ID
The DC REAL ID driver license lets you board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities. It is valid for up to 8 years for U.S. citizens. You need proof of identity, lawful presence and your Social Security number, plus two proofs of current DC residency. If you do not qualify, you may be able to get a Limited Purpose license. To check a card you already have, see How can I tell if my driver's license is REAL ID compliant? and REAL ID explained.
Non-driver ID cards
You can get a REAL ID non-driver ID if you are a DC resident aged 15 or older and do not hold a valid driver license or ID from DC or anywhere else. Under-18 applicants need the parental consent form. The card is valid for 8 years for U.S. citizens. The DMV lists the fee as $20. ID cards are free for residents aged 65 and older, for people released from prison within the last 6 months and for residents experiencing homelessness. Replacements still cost the normal fee.
You can renew an ID card online if it expires within 60 days and your name and address are on file. You must not have renewed online last time. You can also renew by mail if eligible, or in person at any service center. The card arrives by mail within 10 business days.
For vehicle paperwork, see the DC vehicle registration and title guide.