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Motor Vehicles
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Driver Improvement Services

The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles provides driver improvement services at all DMV Service Centers.

To schedule driver license hearings such as ‘show cause’ hearings for serious moving violations which include: driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while under the influence (DUI), operating while impaired (OWI), leaving the scene of an accident (LAC) etc, you must visit Adjudication Services. Adjudication Services also schedules misrepresentation hearings and reinstatement hearings. All hearings will be conducted at Adjudication Services.

Customers with suspensions or revocations may visit any DC DMV service center for clearance and/or pay reinstatement fee.

Requests for limited occupational licenses* or restricted driver licenses must be submitted in writing to Adjudication Services. If approved, you may visit any DMV service center to obtain your limited occupational or restricted license.

If you have been approved to attend traffic school by another state/jurisdiction, you may visit any service center to provide the documentation to have points removed for the violation or you can mail your request to DC DMV, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090-0120

Driver History Records may be obtained at any service centers or online. Reinstatements can be processed at any DMV Service Center.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Driver Improvement:

  • Can I schedule a driver license hearing over the telephone?
  • No, since documents need to be reviewed to make certain the driver is eligible for a hearing, driver license hearings may not be scheduled over the telephone. The hearings can be scheduled at Adjudication Services or you can mail your request to DMV Adjudication Services, PO Box 37135, Washington, DC 20013.

  • How can I reschedule a driver license hearing?
  • You may submit a request at least seventy two hours prior to the date of the hearing in person at Adjudication Services. Emergency requests for continuances are handled on a case by case basis.

  • Can someone else pay my reinstatement fee for me?
  • Yes, someone else may pay your reinstatement fee for you as long as you provide a notarized statement authorizing payment.

  • Can a reinstatement fee be paid on-line or by telephone?
  • No.

  • Where can I pay a reinstatement fee?
  • You can pay the reinstatement fee at any DMV service center.

  • How can I obtain a copy of my DC driver history record?
  • You may obtain a driver record online or visit any DMV service center to obtain a driver history record.

  • Do I have to satisfy all of my outstanding parking, photo, and moving violations in order to be eligible to pay a reinstatement fee?
  • Yes, because you are restoring or reinstating your driver license or non-resident driving privileges, all stops on your driver history record, including outstanding tickets, must be paid in order to process your reinstatement fee.

  • Can the DC DMV clear stops on the National Driver Registry (NDR)?
  • A driver must reinstate his or her driver license or non-resident driving privileges in the state that has entered the stop on the National Driver Registry. The reinstatement will update to the National Driver Registry and clear the stop for tickets issued in the District of Columbia. The update will occur within twenty-four to seventy-two hours after the reinstatement fee is paid.



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