General Information

• When registering a vehicle, the name of individual registering the vehicle, must be listed on the title. In the case of a Certificate of Origin (CO) or Title, the CO/Title must be signed over to the owners before titling and registration can be accomplished. If there are multiple owners of the vehicle, all owners must be listed on the CO/Title, Bill of Sale, and any lien/lease paperwork.
• In order to title and register a vehicle, all outstanding tickets, dishonored check fees, delinquent child support payments, or any other debt owed to the District of Columbia Government must be satisfied.
• If a vehicle is being registered or leased in the name of a District of Columbia based business, copies of the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Business License and DC Certificate of Occupancy must be submitted along with the registration application and other required documents.
• If a leased vehicle is being titled in the name of an out-of-state based business as a lessor, a copy of the business license where the lessor is domiciled must be submitted along with the registration application and other required documents.
• If a leased vehicle is being registered in the name of an out-of-state based business as a lessee, a copy of the business license where the lessee is domiciled must be submitted along with the registration application and other required documents. A reciprocity letter for a take home vehicle is also needed on the organization’s letterhead. This letter must list the DC driver as an employee or individual designated to use the vehicle as a take home vehicle. The driver must have a valid DC driver license.

Required Documents

• Title Application (complete with appropriate signatures)
• Certificate of Origin (CO) or Title
• Title Reassignment Form (if applicable)
• Bill of Sale
• Lien-holder Financial Contract (if applicable)
• Proof of Insurance
• DC DMV Vehicle Inspection Certificate (if applicable)
• Lease Contract (if applicable) – both lessor and lessee must provide proof of identification (see below)
• Dealer Salesman License for DC dealer only
• Proof of Identification - copy of owner(s) or DC driver license or non-driver identification card. If owner is a business, the following documents are required: copies of the DC DCRA Business License and the DC Certificate of Occupancy. Please note: If the DC business is leasing the premises, it must present copies of the DC DCRA Business License, the landlord's DC Certificate of Occupancy, and the executed lease agreement between the business and its landlord.
• Printout of online excise tax calculation (if applicable)
• Check or Money Order made payable to DC Treasurer
• Letter of Authorization for take home vehicle on organization letter-head (if applicable)
• Copy of take-home driver DC Driver License or ID (if applicable)

Fees

Please see the fee chart below for applicable vehicle registration and title transaction fees. Reciprocity Fee payments should be submitted via separate check or money order.

Dealer Fees	Fee
Dealer / Transfer Tag Fee (per tag)	$75.00
Replacement Dealer Tags	$10.00
Dealership Registration / Registration Renewal Annual basis	$100.00
Dealer Proof of Ownership	No Fee
Duplicate Dealer Proof of Ownership	No Fee
Temporary Registration Certificates	No Fee
Special Use Certificates	No Fee
Duplicate Dealer Tag Registration Sticker	No Fee

 

Multi-Owner Fleet Program	Fee
Annual Fee (per tag)	$10.00/year

 

Taxi / Limo Fees	Fee
DCTC License	$75.00/year
Out of State Registration Taxi/Limo Fee (for non-DC residents)	$100.00/year
Interjurisdictional Limo DCTC	$400.00/year
Duplicate Interjurisdictional Limo DCTC	$100.00

 

Digital Certificate	Fee
Digital Certificate Annual Fee	$100.00
Digital Certificate Annual Renewal Fee	$100.00

Excise Tax

Information on the excise tax for DC titles can be found at DC Official Code § 50-2201.03. Many vehicles are exempt from DC excise tax. Review our excise tax exemption list. Rates are applied to the fair market value (as defined by the current National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Business Guide for the Eastern Region) of the vehicle at the time of application (reference 18 DCMR §401.16). Obtain an estimate of the excise tax by using the online excise tax calculation tool.

As a result of recent regulatory changes, DC DMV has revised the calculations for motor vehicle excise taxes. The updated excise tax rates will take into account the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles as mandated by Title V of the CleanEnergy DC Omnibus amendment Act of 2018. These changes become effective on February 1, 2021.

Except as set forth in D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.03(j)(1A)(G), the excise tax rate on motor vehicles shall be as follows based on vehicle weight class and miles per gallon (“mpg”) city driving, rounded down to the nearest whole number:

Fees

Tax rates/fees are determined by both vehicle unladen weight and mpg city:

Unladen Weight	20MPG or Less	21MPG-25MPG	26MPG-30MPG	31MPG-39MPG	40MPG or More
3,499 or Less	8.1%	4.4%	3.1%	2.2%	1.0%
3,500 - 4,999	9.1%	5.4%	4.1%	3.2%	2.0%
5,000 or More	10.1%	6.4%	5.1%	4.2%	3.0%

Formula - Fair Market Value (FMV) X MPG Taxable Percentage(%) = Excise Tax

Notes

• Fuel efficiency is not based on MPGe (equivalent)
• Changes to the vehicle excise tax shall not apply to individuals who claimed and received the District Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the most recent tax period. Individuals who qualify for the District earned income tax credit (EITC) may elect to pay by weight class (6%, 7%, 8%), or the MPG adjusted tax benchmark/schedule depending on lowest costs. If EITC is applied to the excise tax, documentation from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) will be required prior to vehicle titling.
• 100% electric vehicles are exempt from the vehicle excise tax.

Payment and Credit Cards

• DMV accepts payments in the form of cash, check, money order, or credit card.
• DC Government accepts VISA and MasterCard credit cards. DC Government does not accept American Express and Discover credit cards.
• All outstanding debts (child support payments, outstanding tickets, and dishonored checks) to the DC Government must be satisfied before completing most of your DMV transactions.

For any questions, please email DC DMV at [email protected].