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Mayor Muriel Bowser
 

-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.

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License and ID

  • Driver Licenses
  • Non-Driver Identification Cards
  • Learner Permits and Provisional Licenses
  • For New District Residents
  • Driver Education and Testing Information
  • Commercial Driver License
  • Motorcycle Endorsement
  • Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program
  • Medical Requirements
  • Change of Address
  • Proof of Identity
    • REAL ID Proof of Lawful Presence
    • Name Changes and Corrections
    • Proof of Current District of Columbia Residency
    • Proof of Social Security Number
  • State-to-State Verification Service

Department of Motor Vehicles

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Office Hours
Varies by location. Please see All DC DMV Locations under About DMV in the menu.


Phone: (202) 737-4404
TTY: 711
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DC DMV Director Gabriel Robinson
Gabriel Robinson
Director
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REAL ID Proof of Lawful Presence

To obtain a the federally compliant “REAL ID” driver license or identification card you will need documentation showing United States citizenship or lawful presence as required by federal law. Lawful presence means that a person is legally living in the United States according to federal immigration laws.

US Citizens

  • Unexpired US Passport or Passport Card
  • US Birth Certificate or Birth Certification Card filed with a state office of vital statistics
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the US Department of State
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of US Citizenship

Items listed below are required to establish lawful presence and/or US duration of stay which will determine the expiration date of the REAL ID DL/ID that is issued.

Items listed below are required to establish lawful presence and/or US duration of stay which will determine the expiration date of the REAL ID DL/ID that is issued.

Non-US Citizens

  • Visa A Status: I-94 w/ State Department eligibility Letter
  • Visa E Status: I-94
  • Visa F Status: I-94 and Form I-20
  • Visa G Status: I-94 w/ State Department eligibility Letter
  • Visa H Status: I-94 and Form I-797
  • Visa I Status: I-94
  • Visa J Status: I-94 and DS-2019
  • Visa K Status: I-94 or Form I-797
  • Visa L Status: I-94
  • Visa M Status: I-94 and Form I-20
  • Visa NATO Status: I-94
  • Visa O Status: I-94
  • Visa P Status: I-94
  • Visa Q Status: I-94
  • Visa R Status: I-94
  • Visa S Status: I-94
  • Visa TN Status: I-94
  • Visa T Status: I-94
  • Visa U Status: I-94
  • Visa V Status: I-94 or Form I-797
  • Asylee Status: I-94 stamped Asylee, Asylum Approval Letter, DHS Approved Asylee Letter, or Court Approved Letter
  • Citizens of the Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau): I-94
  • Unexpired Permanent Resident Card
  • Refugee Status: I-94 stamped Refugee, Refugee Approval Letter, DHS Approved Refugee Letter, or Court Approved Letter
  • USCIS Notice of Action, Form I-797, reflecting you have applied for a new, renew or adjusted status

A DC REAL ID driver license and identification card are valid for up to 8 years for US citizens. The length of time they are valid may vary for non-US citizens depending on their Visa classification and duration of stay. Therefore, immigration documentation must be resubmitted upon renewal for non-US citizens. If you are issued a REAL ID credential that has a modified expiration date that is less than 8 years, the credential will be marked “Temporary.” Documents that are altered, counterfeit, torn, laminated, erased, whited out, etc., are not originals and are not accepted by DC DMV.

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