TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION

District of Columbia
New residents must apply for a District of Columbia driver’s license in person within 30 days of establishing residency. You will be required to present proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid out-of-state license if applicable, and your social security card. Applicants must pass a written test and eye exam. Study guides are available at the Motor Vehicle Administration.

The District of Columbia also requires that out-of-state vehicles be registered and titled within 30 days of establishing residence. Before your vehicle can be registered in the District of Columbia, it must pass inspection. Valid tags are necessary for inspection, although this includes valid tags from another jurisdiction. After the vehicle passes inspection, you may apply for registration at a DMV customer service center.

To apply for vehicle registration and title, present as original documents the completed application for title signed by all owners, valid identification, proof of ownership, proof of D.C. insurance, and an odometer statement. Every person applying to register a motor vehicle in D.C. (except trailers), must maintain continuous D.C. vehicle insurance under minimum coverage guidelines.

Newcomers will also need to have their vehicles inspected prior to registration. Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles website or contact the department for locations of testing stations. For complete details on obtaining a driver’s license and licensing your vehicle in the District of Columbia — including fees, regulations, requirements, and service locations — contact the DMV office:

D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
301 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 202-737-4404
https://dmv.dc.gov


Maryland
Maryland requires that newcomers obtain a driver’s license within 60 days of establishing residency. Apply in person and furnish the examining officer with a valid out-of-state license, an original or a certified copy of your birth certificate, and other supporting identification documents such as an actual social security card, a U.S. passport, U.S. Military ID, or state issued identification card. A written exam and visual test are both required. Applications can be obtained at any MVA Office.

During the first 60 days of residency newcomers to Maryland must title and register all motor vehicles. A safety inspection is required for all used cars and most other motorized vehicles being titled and registered in Maryland. Licensed inspection stations include automobile dealers, service stations and specialized automobile service centers. You must present a completed application with full insurance information and original signatures of all owners, the certificate of title and a copy of any lien contract.

For complete details on obtaining a driver’s license and licensing your vehicle in Maryland — including fees, regulations, requirements, and service locations — contact the DMV office:

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
800-950-1MVA
301-729-4550
https://mva.maryland.gov

Maryland Emissions Testing Program
Maryland Department of the Environment
301-537-300
800-633-6101
https://mde.maryland.gov

Virginia
New Virginia residents are required to apply for a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of establishing residency. If you hold a valid out-of-state license, you may not be required to take the knowledge and road tests as part of the driver’s exam, but you will be required to pass the vision test. To apply for a driver’s license, you must show two proofs of identity and one proof of Virginia residency along with your social security number.

Virginia requires newcomers to register all motor vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. Titling in Virginia is completed prior to registration. At the time of registration, present the title, a completed application, proof of vehicle safety inspection, and emissions certificate if necessary. Certificates are required for vehicles garaged in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, or Manassas Park.

Application for vehicle registration must contain complete insurance information, odometer reading, and original signatures of all owners and be accompanied by the certificate of title, a copy of the lien contract, if applicable. Your vehicle must also have a safety inspection and you must certify that the vehicle is covered up to minimum insurance requirements by a Virginia-authorized carrier or pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee. For complete details on obtaining a driver’s license and licensing your vehicle in Maryland including fees, regulations, requirements, and service locations, contact:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
866-DMVLINE
800-435-5137
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov

Vehicle Safety Inspection Program
Virginia State Police
804-378-3477
https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/Safety.shtm

Virginia Emissions Testing Program
Department of Environmental Quality
703-583-3900
800-275-3844
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#emissions.asp

Seat Belts & Child Safety

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The seat-belt law in the District of Columbia requires that the driver and all passengers be properly buckled and is enforced as a primary law, which means that an officer can ticket a driver for only this violation. All children age seven years old and younger must be properly secured in a restraint system appropriate to their age and weight. Children from the age of 8 through 15 years of age are allowed to use an adult seat-belt device.

MARYLAND
Maryland imposes a primary seat-belt law, which means that an officer can ticket a driver for only this violation. The law covers the driver and the front-seat passenger near the door, although passengers who are 15 years old and younger must always be buckled. All children six years of age and younger or those who weigh 40 pounds or less must be properly secured in a federally approved child safety seat. A person may not transport a child younger than 16 years of age unless the child is secured in a child safety seat or a vehicle’s seat belt. A child younger than 16 years may not ride in an unenclosed cargo bed of a pick-up truck.

VIRGINIA
Virginia imposes a seat-belt law that covers the driver and front-seat passengers, although passengers who are 15 years old and younger must always be buckled. All children age 8 years old and younger must be properly secured in a restraint system appropriate to their age and weight. Children from the age of 8 through 15 years of age are allowed to use an adult seat-belt device.