A Message from Director Robinson

October is Pedestrian Safety Month and as the days become shorter, with less daylight, it's important that drivers in our beautiful city take extra caution while commuting during morning and evening rush hours, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Speaking of Pedestrian Safety Month, in this month's newsletter, please be sure to read our Vision Zero article where we provide some great tips for both drivers and walkers to help keep pedestrians safe. By following the basics of pedestrian safety, we can all make the District a safer place to live and work. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we include a reminder in this month's edition that Breast Cancer Awareness tags are available at all DC DMV Service Centers. Note the yearly display fee for the specialty tags supports breast cancer prevention and treatment. Finally, for those new drivers seeking a DC driver license, read on to learn about the new virtual knowledge test option DC DMV is now offering. You can now take the knowledge test from a location of your choosing! The virtual tests are securely administered by a network of certified professional proctors. As a reminder, please join me for our DC DMV Live Chat the first Thursday of each month. I'll be online for a full hour to respond in real-time to any of your DC DMV-related questions. Our next online live chat is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 at 12 p.m.  Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter. Enjoy and stay safe!

October is Pedestrian Safety Month

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. It's important that we all know and follow the basics of pedestrian safety.

Tips for Drivers:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
• Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
• Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Tips for Pedestrians:

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
• Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation - get up, get out and get moving.

Renew Your Vehicle Registration Using DC DMV's Mobile App

Is it time to renew your vehicle registration? If so, DC DMV has made it easier for you to "Skip the Trip." DC DMV's mobile app allows users to renew their vehicle registration on their smartphone or other mobile device. Additionally, users with an iPhone device can add their digital vehicle registration card to their Apple Wallet for easy access. 

Don't delay! Download our free mobile app and have DC DMV At Your Fingertips!

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

DC DMV Now Offers Virtual Knowledge Testing

New drivers seeking to obtain their DC driver license now have the option to take the knowledge test remotely, from the comfort of their own home. Knowledge testing was previously available only at DC DMV Service Centers on a first-come, first-serve basis, and by appointment at a local Test Proctoring Center. An appointment is required to take the virtual knowledge test and may be scheduled at takemydrivingtest.com/dc. 

The knowledge test is the first exam DC DMV administers to beginning drivers and tests their knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, driving safety rules, and determines whether they are prepared to operate a vehicle in accordance with DC law. Virtual testing is only available specifically for the Standard and GRAD (16-20 years old) knowledge tests. All individuals taking the virtual knowledge test must pay a fee, regardless if they pass or fail the test. Knowledge testing for the Motorcycle endorsement must still be completed at a DC DMV Service Center and all Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge tests must be taken at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office.

Residents who complete the virtual knowledge test will immediately be notified of their test results. Those who receive a passing score may visit any DC DMV Service Center within 14 days business days of passing the test and present all required eligibility documents to obtain their learner permit or driver license. Residents who do not receive a passing score may attempt to take the virtual test again after waiting three full calendar days. A new appointment must be scheduled at takemydrivingtest.com/dc when retaking the virtual knowledge test.

In preparation for the knowledge test, residents are strongly encouraged to thoroughly review the DC DMV Driver Manual.  An online practice knowledge test is also available.

The practice knowledge test is for informational purposes only and does not contain actual questions from the DC DMV knowledge test.

Breast Cancer Awareness Tags Available at DC DMV

While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, DC DMV offers Breast Cancer Awareness specialty license plates to District residents year-round. The specialty tag is available at all DC DMV Service Centers.

Residents interested in purchasing a Breast Cancer Awareness specialty tag will pay an initial fee of $45. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $25 and a yearly display fee of $20. The yearly display fee will be donated to the Community Health Care
Financing Fund to continue to promote health care and health care related services in the
District of Columbia, including the construction of health care facilities and the operation of
health care related programs, promoting breast cancer prevention and treatment.

More information on DC DMV's Breast Cancer Awareness tags and other specialty vehicle tags is available here.

Holiday Closure Update

In recognition of the Veterans Day holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed Friday, November 11. Regular business hours will resume Saturday November 12.

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

Mask Requirement Reminder

Effective August 20, 2022, DC DMV recommends the use of masks by employees and customers at all DC DMV facilities.

Masks are still required during the in-vehicle portion of a road test.