The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles has established
a new Driver Improvement Office. This office replaces the permit
hearings and driver’s records office by combining these functions.
The Driver Improvement office schedules permit control hearings
such as ‘show cause’ hearings for serious moving violations which
include: driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while under the
influence (DUI), operating while impaired (OWI), leaving the scene
of an accident (LAC) etc. The Driver Improvement office also schedules
misrepresentation hearings and reinstatement hearings.
This office provides traffic records and clears ticket suspensions
and child support revocations. The office can provide you with
a list of certified alcohol and/or substance abuse programs accepted
by DC DMV. This is also the office which removes points as a result
of traffic school completions. Requests for limited occupational
permits or restricted driver’s licenses are also submitted to the
Driver Improvement Office. You must report to the Driver Improvement
Office and check in when you are scheduled for a permit control
hearing.
The Driver Improvement office is located at 301 C Street, N.W.,
in room 1033 and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to
4:00 pm. You may reach this office by telephone on (202) 727-6045
or 727-6046. This office accepts payment by personal check, money
order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover; no cash payments are accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Driver Improvement
Office:
- Can I schedule a permit control hearing over the telephone?
No, since documents need to be reviewed to make certain the
driver is eligible for a hearing, permit control hearings may
not be scheduled over the telephone. Permit control hearings
can be scheduled in person, by mail, or by fax. The office fax
number is (202) 727-0646.
- How can I reschedule a permit control hearing?
You may submit a request to reschedule your permit control hearing
to the Driver Improvement Office at least seventy two hours prior
to the date of the hearing. Emergency requests for continuances
are handled on a case by case basis.
- Can someone else pay me reinstatement fee for me?
Yes, someone else may pay your reinstatement fee for you as
long as you provide a notarized statement authorizing payment.
- Can a reinstatement fee by paid on-line or by telephone?
No, we are not yet able to process reinstatement fees over the
telephone or on-line. These fees may be paid in person or by
mail.
- Is the Driver Improvement Office the only office where I may
obtain a copy of my DC traffic record?
No, the Driver Improvement Office is only one location where
this service is offered. You may also obtain a copy of your traffic
record from the other DMV service centers – Penn Branch, Brentwood
Square, and Georgetown Park.
- Do I have to satisfy all of my outstanding parking tickets
in order to pay a reinstatement fee?
Yes, because you are restoring or reinstating your driver’s
license or non-resident driving privileges, all stops on your
traffic record, including outstanding tickets, must be paid in
order to process your reinstatement fee.