A Message from Director Robinson

Greetings DC! October is Pedestrian Safety Month. As days are becoming shorter with less daylight, it's important that drivers take extra caution while driving, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic. In this month's newsletter, we highlight that effective October 1, 2023, annual registration fees changed for battery electric passenger vehicles. Please refer to the chart provided in the article for more details on the specific fees. Please read on to learn more about pedestrian safety tips in our Vision Zero section. By following the basics of pedestrian safety, we can all make the District a safer place to live and work. Finally, October is 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. As a reminder, please join me for DC DMV's 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 2 at 12 p.m.  Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter. Enjoy and stay safe!

Pedestrian Safety

October is Pedestrian Safety Month!

There are many different preferences when it comes to transportation, but at one time or another everyone is a pedestrian.

When drivers maintain safe speeds and practice other safe driving behaviors, safer walking environments are created for you, your loved ones and others in your community. Did you know a pedestrian was killed every 71 minutes in traffic crashes in 2021? It's important that we know and follow the basics of pedestrian safety.

As a pedestrian:

• Whenever possible, walk on the sidewalk; if no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic.
• Follow the rules of the road, obeying all traffic signs and signals.
• Cross streets at crosswalks.
• If no crosswalk is available and your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, making eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you.
• Stay alert – avoid cell phone use and wearing earbuds.
• Avoid alcohol and drug impairment when walking.
• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing and use a flashlight at night.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
• Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult.

Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. When driving, help keep pedestrians safe:

• Obey all traffic laws, especially posted speed limits in school zones. The school zone speed limit in the District is 15 mph.
• Watch for pedestrians at all times and be extra cautious when backing up.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, making eye contact to indicate that you see them.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks as a pedestrian could be crossing the street.
• Stay alert – avoid distracted driving.
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Have You Downloaded our Free Mobile App: DC DMV at Your Fingertips?

Did you know DC DMV offers three types of personalized vehicle tags?:

1. Standard (for automobiles)
2. Motorcycle
3. Disability

You can #SkiptheTrip and instantly find out via our free mobile app if the personalized tag you want is available.

Other mobile app transactions include:

• Address Change Request
• Address Change Request Payment
• CDL Human Trafficking Awareness Training
• Driver License and ID Card Renewal
• Driver License and ID Card Replacement
• Insurance Lapse Payment
• Organ Donor Status Update
• Private Sale Vehicle Registration Request
• Provisional License Conversion Request
• Registration Renewal
• Registration Replacement
• Tag Cancellation
• Ticket Payment
• Track Personalized Tag Order

Scan the QR code below to download our mobile app today!

DC DMV Announces New Registration Fees Effective October 1 for Battery Electric Passenger Vehicles

Effective October 1, 2023, annual registration fees for a battery electric passenger vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle with a manufacture’s shipping weight less than 5,000 pounds may subtract 1,000 pounds from its manufacture’s weight when renewing the registration. A brand new battery electric passenger vehicle under 5,000 pounds is eligible for $36 registration fee per year for two years.

An additional vehicle class has been added, Class VI, which applies to vehicles 3,500 pounds or greater that have been issued a disability license plate and the weight is due to the accommodation of a disability. The registration will be $72 per year.

DC DMV Offers Breast Cancer Awareness Tags

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, DC DMV offers Breast Cancer Awareness specialty license plates to District residents. 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. This represents a one-time application fee of $25 and a yearly display fee of $20. The initial fee plus the yearly fee will be donated to the Community Health Financing Fund to support the promotion of breast cancer prevention and treatment.

For more information on DC DMV's Breast Cancer Awareness tags and other specialty vehicle tags, please visit our website here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Statistic

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. [Source - National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.]

DC DMV Celebrates National Car Seat Check Day

During Child Safety Passenger Week, September 17-23, DC DMV hosted National Car Seat Check Day at the DC Inspection Station on Saturday, September 23. During this event, DC DMV gave residents 20 free car seats, provided car seat checkups and information on other safety resources.

Thank you to our partners: the Metropolitan Police Department, the District Department of Transportation and Safe Kids District of Columbia.

Holiday Closure Update

In recognition of the Veterans Day holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed on Friday, November 10. DC DMV Service Centers and Inspection Station will resume regular business hours on Saturday, November 11.

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