Temporary Registration
DC DMV offers a 45-day temporary vehicle registration and hard vehicle tag for District residents who must have their vehicles inspected before the vehicles can be fully registered.
To obtain a temporary DC DMV registration and hard temporary vehicle tag, you will need to bring the following documents to a DC DMV service center:
- Certificate of Title/ Temporary Tag Application
- A properly endorsed title
- Proof of valid DC insurance
- Valid DC DMV credential
You will have to pay all fees associated with the title transaction, including the temporary registration fee, excise tax, title fee and lien recordation fee (if applicable) when obtaining the temporary DC DMV registration.
When the vehicle, with its temporary registration has passed inspection, you can renew your temporary registration as a regular DC DMV registration with either a one-year or a two-year period of validity online.
Note: You will not be able to renew your vehicle registration in person.
Remember: You will not receive a second temporary registration or an extension on a temporary registration.
Temporary Paper Vehicle Tags
DC DMV issues a five-day temporary paper tag to out-of-state residents who recently purchased a used vehicle in the District from an individual (owner).
DC DMV issues a 45-day temporary tag to new District residents with expired out-of-state tags that have not been through DC inspection and waiting for their out-of-state title from the lienholder.
Note: Law enforcement and parking officers will recognize the temporary DC DMV tag as valid even if the vehicle does not have a valid inspection sticker.
Remember: You will not receive a second temporary paper vehicle tag or an extension on a temporary registration.