District of Columbia driver's license
Get your first license in District of Columbia after moving to the US.
The short answer
Getting a first District of Columbia driver license means passing a vision screening at a DC DMV service center.1 If the papers that let you stay in the United States have an end date, your license is issued up to that date and for at least six months.2 When those papers show no end date, the license runs for one year.2 Every document you bring must be current and show the same name.3 Before the license, you may practice on a learner permit only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside you.4
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to District of Columbia and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
With temporary lawful status, your license is issued for at least 6 months but no longer than your authorized stay — or 1 year if your stay has no expiration date.2
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validEvery document you present for proof must be an original, valid — current and not expired — and all of them must show the same name.3
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Your Social Security number is collected to administer and enforce District laws and is kept on file by the agency. It is not a public record, and a randomly generated number appears on the license instead.5
Tests you take
Eye test
At a DC DMV service center, you will be asked to look into a machine and read lines of letters or numbers to the DC DMV representative.1
You need visual acuity of at least 20/40 in your best eye, or at least 20/70 in your best eye with a field of vision of at least 140 degrees. If you need glasses or contact lenses to pass, you must wear them when you drive, and your license will show this restriction.6
Using an interpreter
The application form asks what language the agency should use to communicate with you.7
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A learner permit holder must be accompanied and instructed by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, seated in the seat beside the permit holder, and wearing a seat belt.4
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“To screen your vision, you will be asked to look into a machine and read lines of letters or numbers to the DC DMV representative.”
dmv.dc.gov/node/1119377Checked August 4, 2026
- 2
“If the applicant has temporary lawful status in the United States (1) for a period no shorter than six months; (2) for a period no longer than the expiration of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States, or, if there is no expiration date, for a period no longer than one year; and (3) no longer than the District’s maximum driver license term;”
dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/RuleList.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
- 3
“All acceptable documents presented for verification or proof must be valid (current and not expired) and reflect the same name.”
dmv.dc.gov/…/Limited_Purpose_Required_and_Acceptable_Docs_One_Pager_April_2022.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 4
“Operate a motor vehicle unless while under the instruction of and accompanied by the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit who is 21 years of age or older, occupying a seat beside the permittee, and wearing a seat belt”
code.dccouncil.gov/…/50-1401.01Checked August 4, 2026
- 5
“(2) The Mayor shall require an applicant for an operator’s permit to provide a social security number, if such a number was issued to the applicant, or, if required by the Mayor, proof that the applicant is not eligible for a social security number, for the purposes of administering and enforcing the laws of the District of Columbia. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the social security number or other tax identification number shall not be a matter of public record.”
code.dccouncil.gov/…/50-1401.01Checked August 3, 2026
- 6
“District’s standards to safely operate a motor vehicle. It is not a medical exam. If you fail the vision screening, you are required to submit an Eye Report from your eye care professional. The same report form can be used as either a Medical Report or an Eye Report . If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision screening , you must wear them when you drive, and your license will show this restriction. To have this eye restriction removed, you must visit a DC DMV service center location . You will be required to present a letter from an eye care professional on company letterhead stating that you no longer need glasses or contact lenses to drive, and he or she is authorizing the DC DMV to remove the restriction from your license or permit. The Medical/Eye Report by itself is not sufficient. You will also be required to pass the vision screening without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Driver License Minimum Vision Requirements (with or without corrective lenses) No less than 20/40 in the best eye; OR No less than 20/70 in the best eye AND Field of vision at least 140 degrees”
dmv.dc.gov/node/1119377Checked August 1, 2026
- 7
“What language should we use to communicate with you? _____________________________________________________ Special Designations (Optional): Autism Visually Impaired Add to my Driver License or ID Card Intellectual Disability Hearing Impaired F.”
dmv.dc.gov/…/DL_ID_Application_BOEE_English_Feb2025.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 8
“https://takemydrivingtest.com/dc”
dmv.dc.gov/service/knowledge-testChecked August 4, 2026
- 9
“https://dc.takemydrivingtest.com”
dmv.dc.gov/node/1119296Checked August 4, 2026
- 10
“https://dmv.dc.gov/page/all-dc-dmv-locations”
dmv.dc.gov/page/all-dc-dmv-locationsChecked July 26, 2026
- 11
“https://dmv.dc.gov/page/dc-dmv-service-center-locations”
dmv.dc.gov/page/dc-dmv-service-center-locationsChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in District of Columbia?
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