A Message from DC DMV Director Gabriel Robinson
Greetings DC! The 2025-2026 school year is just around the corner. As students return to school this month, we want to remind you to please slow down when driving in neighborhood school zones and watch for children congregating or playing near bus stops.
In this month's newsletter, we include some important school bus safety information to help protect our children. Did you know that the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road? Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles. Keep reading to learn more about how to stay safe around school buses.
We also share safety tips on how to prevent your vehicle from being stolen, including how DMV is enacting key provisions of the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Act.
This month, DMV's Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program reminds us of the costly penalties associated with impaired driving. Keep reading to learn about other substances that can impair your driving and lead to a DUI.
As always, your feedback is important to us. Please write us a letter or join me for the DC DMV Live Chat, held the first Thursday of each month. Our next online live chat is scheduled for Thursday, September 4 at 12 p.m. For a full hour, I will respond in real-time to any of your DMV related questions.
Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter. Stay cool, DC!
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 Back to School: Stay Alert for School Buses and Stops
Each school day, millions of children ride school buses. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. Parents and caregivers, it’s important to talk to your child, or children, about bus stop safety. Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Before the Bus Arrives
Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Ahead of the new school year, visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus, at least 10 feet — five giant steps — away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Getting On and Off Safely
When the school bus arrives, your child should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay to get on or off. Remind your child to use the handrails to avoid falling.
Always Use Caution Around the Bus
Your child should never walk behind a school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell them to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least 10 feet, or five giant steps, in front of the bus before crossing. Encourage your child to make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see that they’re crossing to avoid the danger zone. If your child drops something near the school bus, like a phone or book, the safest thing is for your child to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see them.
DC Stop-Arm Safety Program
Drivers should note that DC has a Stop-Arm Safety Program designed to keep students safe. If a vehicle does not stop when the stop-arm is deployed, school buses equipped with enforcement cameras will capture the image. Violators face a $500 fine.
 DC DMV's Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program is mandatory after ANY impaired driving offense
Some substances may be legal in DC, but driving under the influence is definitely not. A DUI is not just for alcohol. It includes illegal drugs, legal and prescription drugs, and any substance that impairs your driving ability.
DC DMV’s Ignition Interlock Device Program is mandatory after ANY impaired driving offense. What’s an IID? It’s a device installed in a vehicle that stops the vehicle from being able to start until the driver passes a breath test to check their blood alcohol concentration level.
Remember, driving drunk or high? It’s a DUI.
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STEER Act: New DMV Provisions Prevent Tickets for Stolen Vehicles and Plates
The Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility Amendment (STEER) Act, passed in 2024, mandates improved information sharing between the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the DC Department of Public Works (DPW), and DMV to prevent tickets from being issued to vehicles reported as stolen at the time of the violation.
Under the new process, vehicle owners who have reported their vehicle as stolen will not receive photo enforcement tickets. MPD shares a list of all vehicles and tags that have been stolen daily with DMV, and our system will automatically block issuance to these vehicles. Unlike photo enforcement tickets, parking violations are issued manually by on-site ticket writers. Parking tickets may still be issued at the scene; however, any tickets issued to a reported stolen vehicle will be automatically voided or dismissed before a notice is sent to the registered owner.
- As soon as you discover your vehicle has been stolen in DC, report it to MPD and obtain a police report. Ensure that the police report includes all necessary information such as your tag number, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), your contact information, and theft date.
- File a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible and include your police report.
- If you receive a ticket in the mail after your vehicle has been stolen, contest the ticket using DMV's website or by mail. Be sure to include a copy of the police report.
Please note, if you are the registered owner of the vehicle and you did not report the theft to the police, you may still be held liable for any tickets issued.
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Do you have a TAS Account? A Ticket Alert Service (TAS) account will give you real-time notification of ticket-related activity for up to four vehicles and a single driver license.
Vision Zero: Senior Drivers
Changes in vision, physical fitness, and reflexes may cause safety concerns for older adults. By accurately assessing age-related changes, drivers can adjust their driving habits to remain safe on the road or choose other kinds of transportation.
Check out DMV's website for Senior Drivers to learn more about what you can do to support loved ones who are aging.
 #SkipTheTrip: Notify DMV of Your Change of Address through our Mobile App
We know that moving can be a long, exhausting process, but in the midst of packing and unpacking, don't forget to notify DMV of your change of address online or with DC DMV’s free mobile app as soon as possible!
You must notify DC DMV about changes in address within 60 calendar days of a move to keep your records current. If you request a change of address by mail, it will be processed within 7–10 business days from receipt.
 Holiday Closure Update: Labor Day
In observance of the Labor Day holiday, all DC DMV locations will be closed on Saturday, August 30 and Monday, September 1. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 2. Many of DC DMV's services will remain available online or via the agency's free mobile app.
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