Additionally, the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles will roll out enhancements to its online services to include email renewal notices, status of out of state title requests, trip permit transactions (mainly for chartered buses and other motor carriers) and temporary drivers license, identification card and vehicle registration receipt printouts that extend expired credentials until they arrive in the mail.

Effective October 1, drivers licenses and identification cards will be valid for up to 8 years (previously only 5 years); the inspection fee will increase from $25 to $35; the non-commercial drivers license fee will increase from $39 to $44; the inspection sticker for new vehicles will be valid for 4 years (previously only 2 years); the excise tax exemption will be applicable for fuel efficient vehicles (excluding motorcycles and motorized bicycles) that exceed 40 MPG (city driving) and a one-time reduced registration fee will be applicable for fuel efficient vehicles that exceed 40 MPG (city driving).

DMV Director Lucinda Babers states that “there has not been a fee increase for vehicle inspections since 2001 and the drivers license fee increased from $10 to $39 in 2003 to deter against identity theft and fraud by increasing security features.” Babers also notes that “customers are receiving a cost benefit for the extended eight year license period which amounts to $5.50 per year versus $7.80 per year for five years, with no visits to the DMV for renewals for eight years. Additionally, the temporary online licenses, identification cards and registrations will allow people who wait until the last minute to renew, to still ‘skip the trip,’ while continuing to drive.”

Visit dmv.dc.gov or call 311 (202-737-4404 outside the 202 area code) for additional information.