A Message from Director Robinson

With the holiday season upon us, and 2021 almost behind us, I want to express my thanks to both our customers and Team DC DMV for your cooperation and commitment to the broader public safety over the past year. As we look forward, 2022 promises to be another busy year for DC DMV and my team and I remain committed to the agency's mission of providing outstanding customer service! This month's newsletter includes a final reminder that the District's Ticket Amnesty Program ends on December 31, 2021, so please pay your outstanding tickets by that date and avoid any penalties. In this edition, readers will also learn about DC DMV's participation in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) and the benefits it offers both consumers and law enforcement. Additionally, please read about the new hybrid sedans that are available at our Deanwood location as an option for customers taking the non-commercial road skills test. Finally, with colder weather on the way, please review the winter weather driving tips provided under our Vision Zero section. It may help save a life. Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter. Please continue to stay safe. Happy holidays!

It’s the holiday season and there’s so much to do. Don’t let your guard down. Keep yourself safe by wearing a mask and getting your booster shot. #MaskUpDC

Visit http://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine for more information.

Winter Weather Driving Tips

Whether it’s snow, sleet or ice, winter weather can cause extremely dangerous road conditions. Preparing yourself, and your vehicle, for winter weather is key. The following tips will help you arrive at your destination safely:

• Clear off all snow and ice from the outside of your vehicle. Don't forget mirrors, windows, lights, and windshields. 
• Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don't accelerate too quickly, and slow down as you approach traffic lights and stop signs.
• Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you must stop on slippery surfaces.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor, and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Remember that bridges and ramps freeze before road surfaces.
• Always use care when approaching emergency vehicles that display red and/or white emergency lights, or a hazard vehicle that displays amber warning lights. Reduce your speed for all emergency and hazard vehicles.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• Turn on your vehicle's headlights before getting out on the road, and be sure to use your turn signals while driving.

Use DC DMV's Mobile App to Cancel Your Tags

Have you recently canceled your registration or need to replace your lost, stolen or worn license plates? If so, you can easily cancel your vehicle tags by downloading DC DMV's free mobile app where a tag cancellation request may be completed, along with several other vehicle services. Remember, after cancelling your tags, you are responsible for properly and permanently disposing of your tags.

Additionally, with the District's Ticket Amnesty Program ending on December 31, 2021, all outstanding tickets can be paid now using DC DMV's mobile app.

Scan the QR Code Below or click here & Download the DCDMV App Today!

Veterans Specialty Tags Available at DC DMV

District veterans may purchase a veterans specialty license plate from DC DMV. These unique tags include separate designs and emblems for each branch of the United States Armed Forces.

The specialty tags are available at all DC DMV service centers. Veterans will pay a one-time application fee of $52 for the specialty tag and a yearly display fee of $26. Both the application and yearly display fee will be donated to the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund.

Ticket Amnesty Program Ends on December 31, 2021

As a reminder, Mayor Bowser’s Ticket Amnesty Program concludes on Friday, December 31, 2021. District and non-District drivers have until that date to pay, without the doubling penalty, outstanding tickets for parking, photo enforcement and minor moving violations. At the end of the amnesty period all penalties will be added back to all tickets.

DC DMV Participating in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

This month, DC DMV began participating in the National Motor Vehicle Information System (NMVTIS) to protect consumers from purchasing vehicles that may be involved in fraud, are unsafe, or have been stolen. With NMVTIS, DC DMV can access the vehicle's history in real-time to help car buyers detect fraud and know if a car has been totaled or determined to be salvage or junk before they purchase it.

Created by the Anti Car Theft Act, NMVTIS is required to include data from all motor vehicle agencies, including brand information that describes a vehicle’s prior use and condition and the latest odometer reading. NMVTIS is the only vehicle history database in the nation to which all states, insurance carriers, and junk and salvage yards are required by federal law to report. Federal law also requires all insurance companies and all junk and salvage yards in the United States to report their salvage and total loss vehicles to NMVTIS. 

Additional information on NMVTIS is available here.

Deanwood Introduces New Road Test Vehicles

For the first time, District residents taking the non-commercial road skills test at the Deanwood Road Test Center now have the option to take the test in a DMV vehicle. The new fleet of six hybrid sedans has several customized safety features, including a passenger-side braking system and GPS tracking.

The DC DMV vehicles help the agency prioritize the safety and health of both customers and Driver License Examiners by implementing consistent cleaning and sanitizing processes for the road test vehicles. They also help the agency increase access to road testing by reducing appointment rescheduling that can result from vehicle non-compliance issues.

Additionally, residents have the option to take the  road skills test in either their own vehicle or a DC DMV road test vehicle. While there is no additional fee to use a DMV vehicle, customers who elect to use the hybrid sedans are required to complete a "Consent, Waiver and Indemnity" form prior to taking the road test.

Holiday Closure Update

In recognition of the Christmas holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25, 2021. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, December 27.

Additionally, in recognition of the New Year's holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2021 and Saturday, January 1, 2022. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, January 3.

Many of DC DMV's services will be available online or via the agency's free mobile app.