Renewing Your License

Determine the Status of Your License

In order to drive, you must own a driver's license, making it imperative that you renew your license every eight years.

Possessing car insurance is also mandatory. If you're in the market for insurance, you can compare rates at our Insurance Center.

Valid License

If you're a U.S. citizen, your driver's license is valid for eight years. But if you're a non-citizen, your license's expiration date is contingent upon the expiration date for your immigration documents. You, depending on your circumstance, have two, possibly three ways to renew:

• In person

• Online

• By mail

If you have any doubts on the current status of your license, consider ordering a driving record report.

NOTE: Renewing a commercial license (CDL) requires different procedures from renewing a regular driver's license.

Expired License

Attempting to renew an expired license will not cost you in fines, but it may cost you in time. If you allow your license to remain expired for 90 days or more, you must retake the written test. And if you allow it to remain expired for 180 days or more, you must also take the road test again.

Expired licenses must be renewed in person.

If you're unclear on the current status of your license, you can find out for sure by ordering a driving record report.

Suspended License

Ordering a driving record report will update you on the latest status of your license. If you're cleared for reinstatement, you will probably notice that your insurance rates have vaulted through the roof. You can either accept the rates as is, or shop around for lower premiums at our Insurance Center.

Lost License

Is your license lost or stolen? Find out how to obtain a duplicate on our Lost License page.

Check Your Renewal Notice

Depending on your license's expiration date, you should receive a renewal notice anywhere from 30-60 days prior.

Renew Online

You cannot renew online if:

• You used the online option for your last renewal.

• You recently changed address or name and failed to notify the DMV.

• You fainted or experienced a seizure within the last five years, or were treated for fainting or a seizure over the last 12 months.

• You recently experienced a change in a current medical condition.

When renewing online, you must pay the $44 fee using Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

Your new license should arrive in the mail within 10 days. In the interim, your online receipt and expired driver's license will serve as legal proof.

Renew By Mail

Is only available for residents who are temporarily living more than 200 miles outside of the District of Columbia.

To apply, you must mail the following:

1. A copy of your current DC license.
2. A completed Driver's License Application.
3. Proof of out of District residency.
4. A check for $44.

Mail to:

• DMV

• P.O. Box 90120

• Washington, DC 20024-0120

NOTE: You cannot request consecutive absentee renewals.

Renew in Person

Visit any DMV service location with:

• Your current District of Columbia driver's license.

• If you have moved, address documentation.

• Proof of name change, if applicable.

• A completed Driver's License Application.

• Cash, money order or credit card (Visa, Discover, MasterCard) to pay the $44 fee.

NOTE: Non-citizens must renew at the Georgetown service center.

Update Your Driving Skills

Negotiating DC's ever-congested streets requires skill and patience. To keep road-sharp you should consider enrolling in a supplemental traffic school every few years. And, as an added bonus, it may even reduce your insurance rates.

If your insurance company does not recognize the advantages of traffic schools, you always have the option of searching for a new insurance carrier.