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

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Driver License Reinstatement Press Release

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Press release regarding the reinstatement of DC DMV suspended licenses and driving privileges in accordance to District Law L22-0175

                                                                                                                             

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

CONTACT: Vanessa E. Newton (202) 729-7020

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

DC DMV Reinstates Suspended Driver Licenses and Driving Privileges

 

(WASHINGTON, DC) – In accordance with District Law L22-0175, Traffic and Parking Ticket Penalty Amendment Act of 2017, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) reinstated driver licenses and driving privileges for residents and non-residents whose credential was suspended for one of the following reasons:

  • Failure to pay a moving violation;
  • Failure to pay a moving violation after being found liable at a hearing; or
  • Failure to appear for a hearing on a moving violation.

DC DMV mailed notification letters to residents and non-residents affected by the law. District residents who had their driver license or learner permit, including commercial driver license (CDL), reinstated and have outstanding tickets are boot eligible if they have two or more outstanding tickets. If a District resident has an unpaid moving violation in a different jurisdiction, then his or her driving privileges may still be suspended in that jurisdiction until the moving violation is paid. If a non-District resident had unpaid moving violations in the District, once his or her driving privileges are reinstated in the District, there is no legal requirement for his or her home jurisdiction to reinstate his or her license.

 

If the resident’s driver license or CDL is not REAL ID compliant (i.e., there is a black star in the upper right-hand corner) and expired, then to renew the credential, the resident will need to provide DC DMV with:

If the resident has a name change, then additional documentation, such as a marriage license, divorce order, or name change court order is required. DC DMV only accepts the documents listed on its website at www.dmv.dc.gov.

 

If the DC driver license had been expired for more than 365 days, the resident must take and pass the Knowledge Test, or take the District’s online traffic school course. If the license had been expired for more than 545 days, the resident must take and pass the Knowledge Test and Road Skills Test, which is available by appointment only.

 

  1. the resident no longer physically possesses the reinstated, valid driver license, then the resident is required to visit a DC DMV Service Center to obtain a duplicate credential for a fee of $20. CDL holders can obtain a duplicate from the Brentwood CDL Office located at 1205 Brentwood Road, NE. For a duplicate license, the resident may be required to bring the documents listed above if the original credential was not REAL ID compliant.

For those who had converted from a driver license to an identification card and who want to re-obtain a driver license, their DC license can be reissued, without retesting, if it has not been expired for more than 365 days.

Finally, if a resident had another unresolved license related issue, such as non-compliance with child support, or 10 or more driver record points, then the resident’s license remains suspended until the other issue(s) are resolved. Once reinstated, if a resident needs to obtain a duplicate license or renew his or her license, then the resident is still responsible for paying any outstanding tickets.

 

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The District Department of Motor Vehicles promotes the safe operation of motor vehicles and public safety while providing outstanding customer service. For more information, visit dmv.dc.gov. Like DC DMV on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.