Eligibility for Washington, D.C. License Plates
Any vehicle located and operated in the District must be registered with the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles. The District of Columbia is the only jurisdiction without county offices; DC DMV directly handles all registrations.
- Residence: New residents have 60 calendar days from the start of residency in the District to register. Initially, a District of Columbia driver’s license or a non-driver identification card is required. Students, diplomats, active-duty military personnel, part-time residents, and members of Congress may retain their home state plates by applying for a reciprocity permit.
- Vehicle: The vehicle must have a valid certificate of title and pass a District of Columbia inspection before plates are issued. Brand new passenger vehicles are exempt from the inspection requirement.
- Applicant: All owners listed on the title must be listed on the registration. Valid District of Columbia insurance covering the vehicle is required at the time of application.
- License Plate Categories: Plates for veterans, combat-wounded veterans, District of Columbia veterans, District of Columbia women veterans, disabled American veterans, and special veteran plates related to specific branches of service require a DD-214 or equivalent military documentation. A veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability does not pay the annual registration fee for one vehicle under District of Columbia Code § 50-1501.03(f).
How to Get a License Plate in Washington, D.C.?
For the initial issuance of license plates, you must visit a DC DMV service center in person. Bring the following:
- A completed application for certificate of title/temporary tag.
- The original vehicle title showing all owners. If the title is held by a lienholder, first request an out-of-state title through DC DMV.
- Proof of valid District of Columbia vehicle insurance showing your name, coverage dates, VIN, and District address.
- A report of successful District of Columbia inspection (emissions only for private passenger vehicles; DC DMV has one inspection station at 1001 Half Street SW and two self-service OBD kiosks for emissions testing).
- Payment for the title ($30), registration, and any applicable excise taxes and lien recording ($20 per lien).
You leave the counter with license plates, expiration date stickers, and a registration card, which must remain in the vehicle.
Renewals occur on a schedule set by the Mayor for each registration period. DC DMV sends renewal notices by mail or email 60 days before the renewal date. Passenger class registrations can be renewed online or by mail; all other classes require an in-person visit. Registrations expired more than 90 days cannot be renewed online.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Washington, D.C.?
The base registration fee is the simple part; the excise tax on the title is where the total amount rises, as the rate depends on both the vehicle’s weight and fuel efficiency.
- Passenger vehicle registration costs $70 per year for Class I (3,499 pounds or less), $175 for Class II (3,500 to 4,999 pounds), $300 for Class III (5,000 to 5,999 pounds), and $550 for Class IV (6,000 pounds or more). Vehicles over 10,000 pounds add $75 for each 1,000 pounds over this threshold.
- New battery electric vehicles weighing less than 5,000 pounds pay $40 for the first two years of registration, then revert to the standard weight class.
- Motorcycles: $52 per year. Motorized bicycles cost $30.
- The title costs $30. The excise tax ranges from 1% to 11% of the fair market value, depending on weight and MPG, according to the schedule in the DC DMV excise tax table.
- Most specialty plates have a $25 application fee and a $20 annual display fee. Personalized plates cost $100 for reservation. Combat-wounded veteran plates require only a $10 application fee with no annual display fee.
- The District of Columbia does not charge additional county fees. Late renewal penalty is $100 if registration or inspection is not renewed by the expiration date, according to District of Columbia Code § 50-1501.03(l).
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Washington, D.C.?
Online service covers renewals only, not the initial issuance of license plates. The DC DMV renewal portal at online.dmv.dc.gov accepts renewals for passenger class when registration has not expired more than 90 days, the vehicle has a valid inspection, and there are no outstanding debts. The portal accepts credit and debit cards (a 2.5% service fee applies). Upon completion of online renewal, you can print a 45-day temporary registration; the permanent card arrives by mail within 7 to 15 business days.
For mail renewals, send the plate number, payment (check or money order payable to the DC Treasurer), and your DC DMV ID number to:
- DC DMV, ATTN: Processing Center, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090.
First-time registrations, commercial class renewals, and any transactions blocked by an address stop or outstanding debt must be processed in person at a DC DMV service center. If the online portal can process your renewal, use it; the office is for everything the portal refuses to handle.