License Plate FAQs

How do I replace my license plates if they have been lost, damaged, or stolen?

If your Washington, D.C., license plates have been lost, damaged, or stolen, you can get replacement plates from any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) station. You will need to provide the following:

• The vehicle's registration card.

• Your District of Columbia driver's license, learner's permit, or ID card.

• If your license plates are damaged, bring your current plates. If one plate has been stolen or lost, bring in the other plate. D.C. law requires that you surrender your plates. Otherwise, you will be responsible for any tickets associated with those plates.

• If your license plates have been lost or stolen, you will need to provide a citizen complaint number. You can obtain this by filing a police report at a police department or by calling 311, D.C.'s nonemergency police number.

• Pay the applicable fees. Regular replacement plates cost $10.

When do I need to surrender my license plates?

There are a number of situations when you will need to turn your tags into the DMV. Since you are responsible for any tickets or infractions associated with your tags, it's always a good idea to turn them in when you are no longer using them. You are required to surrender your tags in any of the following situations:

• You cancel your insurance or your insurance company discontinues your coverage. Try to surrender your tags before this happens, or else you will have to pay insurance-lapse fees.

• You sell or donate your car and don't transfer the plates to another vehicle.

• You move out of the district and register and title your car in another state.

• You get personalized or specialty plates.

• You are replacing your tags because they were stolen, lost, or damaged.

You can either go to a DMV location or mail your plates to the following address:

• D.C. DMV

• Vehicle Registration

• P.O. Box 90120

• Washington, DC 20090

How can I get license plates for my organization?

The DMV issues organizational tags for nonprofits in Washington, D.C., such as the Bad Boys Club and Spirit of Faith Christian Center. You can apply for organization plates by doing the following:

• Provide a copy of your organization's charter.

• Provide proof of your organization's status as a nonprofit.

• Obtain signatures from at least 25 members of your organization indicating their intent to display the proposed license plates.

• Provide proof that the person submitting the application is an authority at your organization.

• Provide a proposal for the license plate design.

• Pay a $100 initial organizational tag application fee.

If you are part of an organization that already offers organizational tags, you can obtain a set by providing the following to the DMV:

• Written authorization of qualification from the organization

• Valid identification of the vehicle's registered owners. See the DMV's list of acceptable documents.

• Your current license plates to surrender.

• A $52 organizational tag request fee.

With these materials, you can go to a DMV station to apply. See DMV.ORG's License Plates & Placards section for more information.

What should I do if my tags have expired, but the vehicle needs to pass inspection before I can register it?

You can apply for a 45-day temporary tag to buy some time to get your vehicle inspected. To apply, go to your DMV station with your vehicle's title, proof of insurance, and the temporary tag fee of $13. Once you have the temporary tags, you can have the vehicle inspected and complete the registration process.

Does the DMV offer antique plates?

Yes, it does. Your vehicle must be at least 25 years old to qualify for the plates.

To apply for the plates, the vehicle first needs to pass a one-time emissions and safety inspection at the Inspection Station located at 1001 Half St., SW. Then, take the vehicle's registration to a service location to obtain the plates.

The plates cost $25, and the inspection costs $25.

For more information on antique plates, call (202) 727-2500.