The DMV makes driver license renewal convenient by offering renewal services at DMV service centers, by mail, and online. If you're temporarily residing more than 200 miles beyond the District of Columbia border you may qualify for absentee driver license renewal of your DC driver license.
You will receive a renewal notice 60 days in advance of the expiration of your driver license. You will receive your renewal notice by e-mail if you have provided DMV with your e-mail address. Click here to provide DMV with your e-mail address online. For last minute online renewals, DMV provides a temporary license certificate that can be used for 45 days until your license is received in the mail.
Non-US Citizens may renew their Driver License at all DMV service centers.
If your non-commercial DC driver license has been expired for more than 90 days, you must take and pass the knowledge test. If your non-commercial DC driver license has been expired for more than 180 days, you must take and pass both the knowledge test and the road test. You may renew your license upon expiration and may not operate a vehicle on an expired license.
If driver license was produced with a digital photograph and signature (utilized by DMV since August 2000), you may renew your driver license online as long as you meet the other online requirements. Otherwise, you may renew by mail or visit a DMV Service centers. If your last renewal was done online, you must go to a DMV location for a new picture (DC law and policy requires a full frontal digital photo that shows either the ears or up to the hairline without exposing the hair) and vision test.
If you are 70 years or older you must renew your driver license in-person by visiting aDMV service center. You must have your physician complete the certification on the driver license application and pass the eye vision screening.
The Patriot Act, Public Law 108-458, National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 does NOT allow for social security numbers to be displayed on driver licenses or identification cards. If your driver license number is also your social security number, you will be required to visit a DMV Service Center for renewal in order to obtain a new photo and a randomly generated number.
Requirements for Online Renewal
If you are renewing a driver license online:
Requirements for In-Person Renewal
If you are renewing a driver license at a DMV service center, please bring the following documents with you and be prepared to pay the applicable fees.
Requirements for Mail Renewal
If you are renewing a driver license by mail, please send the following documents to the address indicated (license will be mailed to the address of record):
DC Department of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: Driver License/ID Card Renewal
P.O. Box 90120
Washington, DC 20090
Note: If you are holding a provisional driver license, please refer to provisional driver license renewal.
The Document Verification Guide will assist you with determining which documents you will need to collect and bring to DC DMV. Click here to enter the electronic Guide.