Vehicle Services Options
- Registration Renewals
- Registration Duplicates
- Inspection Renewals
- Title Replacements
- Importing a Vehicle from Abroad
- Registration Reciprocity
Vehicle Registration Renewals
If you need to renew your vehicle registration while stationed outside of the District, you can do so via our online services.
After the transaction has been completed, please visit our Ask DC DMV a Question webform to provide a copy of the transaction confirmation, current deployment orders and the address you wish to have the registration card and sticker mailed to.
Please note a valid DC vehicle inspection and valid DC vehicle insurance are required to renew the vehicle registration.
Vehicle Registration Duplicates
If you need a duplicate of your vehicle registration while stationed outside of the District, you can do so via our online services.
After the transaction has been completed, please visit our Ask DC DMV a Question webform to provide a copy of the transaction confirmation, current deployment orders and the address you wish to have the registration card and sticker mailed to.
Please note a valid DC vehicle inspection and valid DC vehicle insurance are required to obtain a duplicate vehicle registration.
Vehicle Inspection Renewals
If you need to renew your vehicle inspection while stationed outside of the District, the vehicle can be taken to a certified repair shop or dealer to have the emissions test/on-board diagnostic test completed.
For more information, please visit our Out-of-Town Inspection Sticker Renewals webpage.
Vehicle Title Replacements
If you need to replace your vehicle title while stationed outside of the District, please visit our Ask DC DMV a Question webform for further assistance.
Importing a Vehicle from Abroad
If you are returning from abroad with a vehicle, an in-person visit to a DC DMV service center will be required in order to title and register your vehicle.
Prior to visiting a DC DMV service center, the vehicle must pass the DC DMV Emissions Inspection before it can be titled and registered with DC DMV. Vehicle inspections are conducted at DC DMV's Inspection Station, located at:
1001 Half Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
When you visit a DC DMV service center to complete the vehicle titling and registration process, you will need:
- Customs documentation (port of entry papers)
- Form stating the vehicle is certified to the US Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) federal emissions standards.
a. EPA 3520-1: Emissions Declaration Form
- Form stating the vehicle is certified to the US safety standards.
a. NHSTA HS-7: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention Standards Form
- Vehicle ownership/registration document
- Previously Titled in US – US issued MCO, title or registration
- Never Titled in US – foreign issued title or registration
- Bill of sale/lien documents (if applicable)
- Proof of DC vehicle insurance (must be printed)
- Vehicle registration fees will apply.
- Excise tax fees may apply. Obtain an estimate of the excise tax by using the online excise tax calculation tool.
Vehicle Registration Reciprocity
DC DMV issues vehicle registration reciprocity privileges to people who are permanent residents in other jurisdictions, but who, by law, are allowed reciprocal residency privileges in the District.
Reciprocity permits for Active Duty Military personnel are valid for one year and are renewable.
To be eligible, you will need:
- Valid military identification or military orders for military member, dependent or spouse
- Valid out-of-state driver license
- Valid out-of-state vehicle registration in the name of the active duty military member, dependent or spouse
- Proof of vehicle insurance in the name of the active duty military member, dependent or spouse, as required by the issuing registration
- Proof of Current District of Columbia Residency. You will need 1 document from the list.