There
are numerous Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices located in the
National Capital Region for your use. Some general
information regarding laws in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia is
shown below. Please note however, that these requirements
often change. To ensure you are getting the most current
information, please visit the applicable websites shown in the
contacts/lists.
WASHINGTON D.C.
Driver's license: If you are domiciled in the city for 30
days or more and operate a vehicle in public space, DC law requires you
to obtain a DC Driver's license, unless you are eligible for
reciprocity (students, military, members of Congress, government
appointee).
A licensed driver who moves to the District from another jurisdiction
is required to convert a valid out-of-state driver's license to a DC
driver's license if remaining in DC for more than 30 days. A DC
driver's license is valid for up to five years for US citizens and may
vary for non-US citizens depending on visa classification. The written
test is not required if your prior license is valid or has not been
expired for more than 90 days. The road test is not required if your
prior license is valid or has not been expired for more than 180 days.
Motorcycle License: A person with a valid motorcycle license
or a valid out-of-state license with a motorcycle endorsement may
obtain a DC license with an endorsement.
The requirements are:
1) You have applied for a DC driver's license and endorsement
2) You are clear of all outstanding debts to the District of Columbia
3) You provide the following documents:
- Valid out of state motorcycle or driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement
- Proof of Social Security Number
- Proof of Current Residency
In Washington D.C., your license could be suspended or revoked for several reasons, including:
failure to pay child support, driver points, outstanding traffic
tickets (uncontested and unpaid after 30 days), and/or major moving
violations (DWI, DUI, reckless driving).
Vehicle Registration: Before your vehicle can be registered
in the District of Columbia, it must pass inspection. If
your vehicle has tags from another jurisdiction, you may go directly to
the inspection station. Once your vehicle has passed inspection, you
may apply for registration at a DMV customer service
center. To obtain a vehicle title or registration applicants
must provide proof of DC driver's license or permit, vehicle ownership,
vehicle value, vehicle mileage, vehicle insurance, and vehicle
inspection.
Insurance Requirements: The Compulsory/No-Fault Motor
Vehicle Insurance Act requires that every person applying for
registration or a reciprocity sticker in DC, have valid DC vehicle
insurance. The insurance must be maintained as long as the vehicle is
registered. Lapses in coverage are subject to fines.
Minimum coverage is as follows: Property Damage Liability -
$10,000; Third Party Liability - $25,000 per person and $50,000 per
accident; Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury - $25,000 per person and
$50,000 per accident; Uninsured Motorist property damage - $5,000
subject to $200 deductible.
Additional Note: If you are involved in an accident in DC,
you should notify your insurance company and you may want to file an
accident report with the Metropolitan Police Department. You no longer
need to report the accident to the DMV.
VIRGINIA
Driver's License: If you are an active-duty member of the
Armed Forces stationed in Virginia, you, your spouse and dependent
children 16 years and 3 months of age or older may drive with a valid
driver's license issued by your home state or country.
Motorcycle License: Class M Designation. If you
already hold a valid Virginia driver's license without a motorcycle
designation, you may add Class M that will allow you to also operate a
motorcycle. To obtain this motorcycle designation, you
must: pass the required vision screening, the motorcycle
knowledge exam and the motorcycle road skills test.
Vehicle Registration: Vehicles registered in the active duty
member's name may be driven with valid out-of-state license plates if
the member is the sole owner. If the vehicle is co-owned, all co-owners
must be active-duty members of the Armed Forces; otherwise the vehicle
must be registered in Virginia. You may register your vehicle in
Virginia without obtaining a Virginia driver's license. To
ensure that your vehicle is mechanically safe to operate on the
highways of the Commonwealth, it must pass an annual vehicle safety
inspection.
Insurance Requirements: To purchase license plates or
decals, you must certify that the vehicle is covered by the minimum
insurance requirements or pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee.
Insurance requirements also apply to antique motor vehicles. Your
insurance carrier must be authorized to conduct business in Virginia.
Virginia requires the following minimum coverage:
bodily injury/death of one person $25,000, bodily injury/death of two
or more persons $50,000, and property damage $20,000. The
$500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee, which is paid to the Department
of Motor Vehicles (DMV), does not provide any insurance; it only allows
you to drive an uninsured vehicle at your own risk. It expires with
your registration and must be paid at renewal.
Trailer Registration: A trailer is considered a vehicle
without motor power designed for carrying property or passengers wholly
on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, including
tow dollies and converter gear. Trailers can be registered
annually, bi-annually or permanently. The trailer registration fee is
based on the gross weight of the trailer and the registration period
selected. Insurance coverage for trailers depends on the insurance
coverage of the vehicle pulling the trailer. Check the Virginia State
Police Website for safety inspection requirements.
Boat Registration: All forms required to register boats may
be obtained from the Richmond office of the Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries or downloaded from their web site. The Boat
Title and Registration form, the form used to report a change in status
of a numbered vessel, and the form used to request duplicate
registration, decals and title may be obtained from hunting and fishing
license agents, most marine dealers and at all DMV offices.
Seat Restraints: Virginia law requires drivers and front
seat passengers to wear safety belts and to ensure that children under
age 16 are properly restrained. Children under 6 years of
age must be restrained in a child safety seat that meets federal
standards. The law also requires all children age six
through age 15 to be properly secured in an approved child safety seat,
booster seat or safety belt no matter where the child is seated in the
vehicle. Under Virginia law the driver is responsible for
ensuring that all children in the vehicle are properly
restrained. In Virginia, a police officer can stop a vehicle
if children up to the age 16 riding in the vehicle are not properly
restrained.
MARYLAND
Driver's License: New Maryland residents must obtain a
Maryland driver's license within 60 days. When exchanging an
out-of-state license for a Maryland license, you must pass a vision
test and the out-of-state license must be a valid license or a license
expired for less than one year. The license cannot be
suspended. If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be
issued a Maryland provisional license. If you are exchanging
an out-of-state license that has been expired for one year, you are
required to take the knowledge and skills tests in addition to the
vision test.
Motorcycle License: Riding a motorcycle requires special
skills and concentration. The Maryland Motor Vehicle
Administration (MVA) offers motorcycle rider training courses for new
and experienced riders. Participation in a motorcycle rider
course is voluntary except for individuals under the age of 18, who
must complete the Basic Rider course before applying for a motorcycle
license.
Vehicle Registration: As a new resident of Maryland, you
must register your vehicle within 60 days of moving to
Maryland. If you delay beyond 60 days, you will not be
eligible for a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state,
and you may be subject to a citation for an out of state
registration. You can apply for a Maryland title and
registration in person at any of the MVA's full service branch
offices. You can also mail the documents to the MVA's
Out-of-State Title Unit, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062,
or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist
you in applying.
Insurance Requirements: When you register or renew a vehicle
registration, you must sign an insurance certification. Your
signature acknowledges that the minimum vehicle liability insurance
will be maintained throughout the registration period and the vehicle
will not be driven without insurance. Liability insurance
policies must be obtained from an approved insurance company licensed
to do business in Maryland, or an authorized agent of a licensed
company.
Types of insurance required. Liability insurance pays
damages that are caused by you and suffered by the other party for
personal injury, death, or property damage. You must carry a minimum of
$20,000 for bodily injury per person, $40,000 for bodily injury for two
or more people, and $15,000 for property damage. Coverage above the
minimum is available from your insurance company or
agent. Uninsured motorist coverage pays damages, after any
applicable deductible that are caused by an uninsured motorist and
suffered by you. You must carry a minimum of $20,000 for bodily injury
per person, $40,000 for bodily injury or two or more people, and
$15,000 for property damage. Personal Injury Protection
(PIP) coverage provides benefits for medical, hospital and disability
up to $2,500 for all reasonable expenses arising out of an accident.
Note: Full PIP provides benefits for you, any member of your family,
and any non-family occupant of your vehicle. You may also choose
limited PIP, which excludes benefits for you and members of your family
age 16 and over. This alternative costs less and should be considered
if you already have medical and hospitalization insurance.
Trailer Registration: All boat, camping, tent or travel
trailers are subject to the same motor vehicle laws as passenger
vehicles (class A). The must be titled and if registration
is desired, they must be inspected (if used vehicle).
Boat Registration: The MD DMV provides information about how
to register your vessel in Maryland. On the Maryland
homepage, you will find details on how to register new boats, change of
ownership regulations and renewal information. In addition
to this information, you will find facts related to Maryland boat
registration including: registration fees, DMV hours and
locations, differences between documented and undocumented vessels, and
the required registration forms.
Seat Restraints: Maryland law requires everyone seated in
the front seat must have their seat belts fastened. If age
15 or younger, they must always wear a seat belt regardless of where
they are seated. Children under 6 and those who weight less
than 40 pounds must be in a child safety seat.
Additional note: Maryland law requires all drivers to turn
on their headlights whenever they are using their windshield wipers.