Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

dmv

Department of Motor Vehicles
 

DC Agency Top Menu

-In recognition of the New Year's Day holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Many of DC DMV's services will be available online or via the agency's free mobile app.

 

-We are experiencing a system error that is causing duplicate refund checks to be issued to some DMV customers erroneously. If you have been affected by the glitch, to quickly resolve this matter please deposit or cash one check and destroy the other. If you attempt to cash the second check, it will not be honored by the bank.
We apologize to all DMV customers for the inconvenience as we diligently work to rectify this issue.

 

-DC DMV will no longer prevent DC residents from applying for a new or renewed driver license because of failing to meet the requirements of the Clean Hands Law.

-A +A
Bookmark and Share

Inspection Exemptions and Waivers

Please see more information below on how to apply for inspection exemptions and waivers:

  • New personal vehicles that have a manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin do not need to be inspected. The law still requires all vehicles to display a valid inspection sticker.
  • Personal vehicles that are manufactured pre-1968 do not need to be inspected.
  • Zero emission, i.e. diesel or 100 percent electric, personal vehicles and trailers do not need to be inspected.
  • Motorcycles do not need to be inspected
  • If your vehicle failed emission inspection and you spent $1,146.00 or more in emission-related repairs and you are unable to pass emission inspection, you are eligible to receive a waiver from emission inspection for two years. You will be required to show bills of the repairs. The repairs must be done within 60 days from the failed vehicle emission inspection.
  • A vehicle is exempt from the window tint law requirements if there is maintained in the vehicle a letter issued on letterhead and signed by a physician, physician assistant, ophthalmologist or optometrist certifying that protection from sunlight or bright lights (or similar language) are necessary due to a medical condition(s) of the registered owner or member of the registered owner’s household.

Also exempt from the tinted windows restrictions are:

  • Limousines
  • Ambulances
  • Buses
  • Hearses
  • Church-owned vehicles
  • Official government vehicles
  • Vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase
Contact TTY: 
711
Related Content: 
Vehicle Inspections

More Resources