DC DMV may suspend or revoke your District driver license if you commit certain violations outlined below. We know your driver license is important to you, so we want to help you understand how your record affects your driving privileges.
Please remember that if you drive with a suspended or revoked license, you may be jailed for up to 1 year, and/or pay a fine of up to $5,000. You must follow certain steps to get a suspended or revoked license reinstated before you can drive. Information on reinstatement is available at the link below:
Your license could be suspended or revoked for several reasons, including:
- You failed to make child support payments.
If your driver license has been revoked as a result of delinquent child support payments, you must:
- Report to the Office of Attorney General (OAG), Child Support Enforcement Division. Information on OAG is available at the link below:
- DC OAG
- Pay your child support debt.
- Obtain a child support clearance letter with a raised seal, from the OAG.
- Present the child support clearance letter, along with your driver license, to clear the revocation from your driver record at any DC DMV service center. A list of DC DMV service centers is available at the link below:
- DC DMV Service Centers
- Clear any other stops.
- Pay a reinstatement fee, payable to the DC Treasurer. Information on DC DMV fees is available at the link below:
- DC DMV Fees
- Receive a DC DMV clearance letter. You will also receive by mail your reinstated driver license if you previously surrendered it to DC DMV.
You have had points assessed to your driver license for moving violations. Information on the DC DMV driver point system is available at the links below:
You have received a ticket for a major moving violation, such as DWI, DUI, or Reckless Driving. Information on major moving violations is available at the link below:
Drunk/Buzzed Driving poses a significant threat to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and all who share our roads!
Important DUI Facts
Did You Know?
- The average DUI costs the offender about $10,000.
- Even if you’ve had just a little bit to drink, you can still get a DUI and be involved in a crash.
- For a first-time convicted offense for a DUI you can face jail time and fines.
- Your DC driver license will be revoked for 6 months, you’ll receive 12 points on your record, and be required to retest to obtain your license.
- CDL holders can lose their CDL for 18 months and be required to start the licensing process over to regain their CDL.
- For a second DUI, your driver license will be revoked for 1 year, and 2 years for any subsequent DUIs. CDL holders face even stiffer penalties and you can even lose your CDL for life!
- A person convicted of a 3rd DUI within 15 years will have their driver license revoked for 3 years.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over! Plan ahead: Designate a Sober Driver. Before you start drinking, give your keys to someone else or leave them at home. Call a friend, request a taxi, but whatever you do, do not drive drunk.
Why face the many penalties from driving under the influence when there are alternatives? Help others be responsible too! If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
If your driver license is suspended or revoked for a non-mandatory reason, then you may be eligible for a limited occupational license. Information on the limited occupational license is available at the link below: