Obtaining a learner's permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in District of Columbia. You are eligible to apply for a learner's permit if you are at least 16 years old and:

• you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
• you are a new resident of District of Columbia who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than six months

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL LEARNER'S PERMIT

1. Download a copy of the District of Columbia Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local DMV office.
2. If you are under 18 years of age, you must provide proof of parental approval. It can be a notarized parental consent form, or a notarized letter from parent/guardian providing consent.
3. Visit your local DMV office to submit the application. You must bring with you original or certified copies of:
4. The completed form.
5. Proof of identity, proper identification and District of Columbia proof of Washington DC residence, as specified by the DMV. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
6. Your Social Security card.
7. Cash, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) to pay the $20 learner's permit fee.
8. You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued a learner's permit, which is valid for one year. A learner's permit may be renewed within 90 days after expiration.

When driving with a learner's permit you must always be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older. This person must sit beside you. The other restrictions for this license are identical to those of a Provisional License as mentioned below.

PROVISIONAL LICENSE

You are eligible for a Provisional license if you are at least 16 years 6 months and under 21(if you are over 21 you can go from learner's permit directly to a regular Class D driver license) and have held a valid learner's permit for at least 6 months. You should provide a signed Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License form certifying that you have 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience (under direct supervision of an experienced adult driver) before taking the driver's license road test. If you pass the road test, you will be issued a provisional license. The provisional license in District of Columbia allows you to drive alone, but comes with some other restrictions:

1. You can carry passengers if they are your parents or siblings provided you have a licensed driver 21 years or older sitting beside you.
2. There are certain restrictions on driving hours (unless going to or from work, school event, religious event or an emergency; or accompanied by a parent or a guardian).
3. All drivers, including Provisional license holders, and their passengers should wear seat belts at all time.

A provisional license may be renewed within 90 days after expiration.

THE RESTRICTED FULL DRIVER LICENSE (17-18 years old)

A full license-with-conditions may be issued when you are at least 17 years old. To be eligible you must have held a valid provisional license for 6 months and should have no moving violations for 12 consecutive months. You should provide a Certification of Eligibility form certifying that you have 10 hours of night driving experience (under direct supervision of an experienced adult driver). If you are under 18 there are restrictions on driving hours and any violations will be reported to your parent/guardian.

THE UNRESTRICTED FULL DRIVER LICENSE

A full, unrestricted Class D license may be issued when you are at least 18 years old, provided you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You have held a provisional driver's license for at least 6 months.
2. You have no moving violations for 12 consecutive months.
3. You can provide a signed 10 hour night driving Certification of Eligibility for full driver license form.

If you are 21 years of age you do no come under the Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) program, which means that you can go from learner's permit directly to a regular Class D driver license just by passing a driver's license road test.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
• See also Applying for a Drivers License.
• See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests /dc/district-of-columbia/dmv-practice-test
• Learn more about District of Columbia's Licensing Requirements for young drivers
• Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of District of Columbia, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.