District of Columbia permit test
Test requirements, handbook sources, and practice for District of Columbia.
Test and permit facts
Read the scope and exceptions alongside each fact. Requirements still awaiting review are omitted; their absence does not mean the agency has no rule.
| Fact | District of Columbia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agency | District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles | Official source · PDF page 3 |
| Test name | driver knowledge examination | |
| Test format details | Timing depends on the test category: the learner-permit/GRAD limit is 75 minutes, while the other noncommercial category has 60 minutes. | |
| Online testing | Standard and GRAD applicants can book a remotely proctored knowledge test; motorcycle and CDL tests are excluded. After passing, visit a DMV service center with eligibility documents within 14 business days. | |
| Minimum permit age | 16 | |
| Permit fee | The permit costs $20. Each knowledge-test attempt has a separate charge: $10 at a DMV service center, $39.95 at the proctoring center, or $49.95 remotely. Since December 15, 2025, DMV has applied a 2.5% service fee to debit- and credit-card transactions online, in its mobile app and in person. | |
| Permit validity | For US citizens, a REAL ID learner permit lasts two years and cannot be renewed. For non-US citizens, validity follows the approved stay. The temporary paper permit lasts 45 days. | |
| Driver’s education | Driver education is optional in DC. The planned mandatory program was suspended indefinitely. DMV encourages new drivers to take a course before their road test. | |
| Test languages | English, Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Turkish, Hungarian, Finnish, Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Farsi, Italian, Swedish | |
| Handbook | DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual | |
| Retest timing scope | Cheating results in failure and a 60-day wait before another attempt. | |
| Time limits by test type | Learner permit and GRAD tests: 75 minutes. Other noncommercial tests: 60 minutes. | |
| Requirements for applicants under 18 | Applicants age 16 or 17 need a parent or guardian’s consent, with a birth certificate, adoption order or guardianship decree establishing the relationship. Applicants under 21 enter GRAD; the learner stage requires a supervisor age 21 or older with a full, valid license, seated beside the learner. | Official source 2 · PDF page 14 |
| Documents to bring | For a REAL ID learner permit: complete the DMV application., Bring accepted proof of identity and age plus two proofs of DC residence. Follow the linked REAL ID lists for citizenship or lawful-presence evidence., Enter your Social Security number on the application; no extra SSN document is needed if electronic verification succeeds. Applicants ineligible for an SSN need a Social Security Administration letter., At ages 16 and 17, bring parental consent and proof of the parent or guardian’s relationship., Use original documents unless DMV expressly accepts a copy. Bring supporting records if your name has changed. | |
| Agency offices and appointments | Rhode Island: 2350 Washington Place NE, Suite 112N, Washington, DC 20018., Southwest: 95 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20024., Benning Ridge: 4525 Benning Road SE, Washington, DC 20019., Georgetown: temporarily closed; listed at 3270 M Street NW, Canal Level, Suite C200, Washington, DC 20007. Check DMV’s location pages before traveling. |
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