Drivers Permits in Washington DC
Washington, D.C. Driver's Permits
The Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all drivers younger than 21 years old to fulfill the requirements of its Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) program before obtaining a full driver's license.
The first step of the process is getting your learner's permit. You can apply for a REAL ID learner permit, which meets the federal identification requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005, or a Limited Purpose learner permit. During this period, you'll improve your driving awareness, and learn how to drive safely.
Continue reading this page to get information about D.C. learner's permits and start the process of getting your D.C. driver's license.
How to Get a D.C. Learner's Permit
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a D.C. learner's permit.
What's a REAL ID learner's permit?
The REAL ID permit is a federally-compliant document intended to provide a more accurate and secure form of identification. All U.S. states are transitioning to some form of the REAL ID. It will allow you to continue to use your driver's license to fly domestically and to enter federal and military property.
To apply, you'll need to visit your local D.C. DMV office in person and:
- Submit a completed DC Driver License or Identification Card Application (Form DMVR-4).
- Submit a completed Parental Consent Form to Obtain a Learner Permit (Form DMV-PCF-01), if you're 16 to 17 years old.
- Show the applicable documents. These include:
- Proof of your identity and age.
- This must include your full legal name and date of birth.
- 2 documents proving residency. This applies to both REAL ID learner permits and Limited Purpose learner permits.
- The 6-Month Residency Certification for Limited Purpose Credential (Form DC DMV-6MR-001) and 2 documents proving you’ve lived in the District for at least 6 months.
- This applies to Limited Purpose learner permits ONLY. The DC DMV explains how to satisfy these residency requirements.
- Proof of Social Security number.
- The agent may be able to verify your SSN electronically, but bring your documents just in case.
- Proof of your identity and age.
- Pass your vision test.
- Pass a DMV written test.
- Have your photograph taken.
- Pay the $20 learner's permit fee and $10 knowledge test fee.
You must hold your Washington, D.C. learner's permit for 6 months before moving on to the next steps of the GRAD program.
NOTE: If you do NOT have a Social Security number, you can submit a Social Security Number Declaration (Form DMV-SSN-001). The Washington, D.C. DMV will issue you a limited purpose learner's permit.
Taking the Written Exam
If you've never been licensed in Washington, D.C., you must pass a written exam before the DC DMV will issue you a learner's permit. The fee for your knowledge test is $10.
You will have 60 minutes to complete the test, which contains questions about:
- Traffic laws.
- Road signs and traffic signals.
- Safety rules.
- Pavement markings.
To prepare for your D.C. written permit test, study the Washington, D.C. Driver Manual and take some time to pass an online practice test.
If you fail the written knowledge test, you will need to wait at least 3 calendar days before retaking it. If you fail 6 times within 1 year, you will need to wait 1 year from when you failed your 1st test, before you can try again.
D.C. Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions
When you practice driving with your learner's permit in Washington, D.C.:
- A licensed adult who is at least 21 years old must supervise you.
- You can only drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The DC DMV requires you to complete a minimum of 40 hours of supervised driving practice before moving to the next step of the process.
Washington D.C. Driving Practice
If you're younger than 21 years old, you must complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving practice before you can obtain your provisional driver's license. The DC DMV requires you to practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.
You will need to record your driving hours on a Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License (Form DMV-GRAD-HR40).
Once you complete the behind-the-wheel requirement and have held your learner permit for 6 months, you're eligible to apply for your D.C. provisional driver's license.
Replace a Lost Learner's Permit
You can replace your REAL ID learner permit or Limited Purpose learner permit in person at your local DC DMV office or online, if you’re eligible.
D.C. Provisional Driver's License
To apply for your provisional driver's license, you must:
- Be at least 16 1/2 years old.
- Have held your instruction permit for at least 6 months.
- Have completed a minimum of 40 hours of supervised driving practice.
For specific details about how to apply for your provisional driver's license, please read our page about Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Washington, D.C.