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If you live in Washington D.C., you must get license plates issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

You can choose your license plates and can look up available plate numbers in Washington D.C.

Sample Washington D.C. License Plate

Sample Washington D.C. License Plate

Applying for License Plates in Washington D.C.

Applying for license plates in Washington D.C. requires you to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (D.C. DMV).

You must register your vehicle to receive a license plate and corresponding decals (one for the month and one for the year). These decals determine the expiration of your license plates.

You’ll need temporary tags for your vehicle if:

To receive the temporary tags for your vehicle, you must pay $13 as well as any taxes, registration fees, titling fees, and any other fees. These tags are valid for 45 days. Regular tag replacement costs $10 and tag transfers cost $12. Organizational and specialty tags invite additional fees.

Note: If you buy a vehicle from a dealership, the dealer will provide you with a temporary plate and assist with the registration of your vehicle. After they are finished, you can return home and wait for your plates to arrive in the mail.

Requirements for License Plates in Washington D.C.

If you bought a new vehicle or you’re a new resident in Washington D.C., you must register your vehicle at the D.C. DMV.

To obtain your license plates, you’ll need:

The payment for your vehicle’s registration will vary with the vehicle type, size, and license plates.

Customized License Plates for Washington D.C.

In addition to the standard license plates that you can receive, there are also various customized plates. Applying for these plates may require proof of membership to particular organizations or clubs. If eligible, you must pay any additional fees on top of your registration fees before you can receive these custom Washington D.C. license plates.

The following are examples of the plates you can register:

Some of these organizational plates require $100 to order. A portion of this money goes toward helping and sponsoring these organizations and charities.

Personalized License Plates in Washington D.C.

If you want to have a one-of-a-kind license plate, you can get a personalized license plate in Washington D.C. They cost $100, not including the registration fees or additional fees.

To create a personalized plate, you must follow these guidelines:

You can look up available license plates in Washington D.C. online.

Transferring License Plates in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.’s DMV allows you to transfer your license plates to a new vehicle. You can apply for a transfer in person, and you’ll require the following:

Note: You are not permitted to transfer your standard plates to a new owner—you have to surrender them.

Surrendering License Plates in Washington D.C.

You are required to cancel and surrender your plates if you:

Under these situations, you must immediately cancel your plates with the D.C. DMV by mail or online.

Once you have submitted your notification to cancel and have received a cancellation receipt, you are permitted to cancel your vehicle’s insurance.

Any fees remaining from the amount paid for registration will be refunded to you if there is more than 6 months left.

Note: It can take up to 8 weeks to process and receive your refund, which will be sent to you by mail.

Stolen or Missing Plates in Washington D.C.

Lost or stolen license plates must be replaced immediately. In Washington D.C., you are required to report to the police if your plates are lost or stolen. When you do, they’ll provide you with a Customer Complaint Number (CCN)—bring this with you to the D.C. DMV.

Applying for new plates requires you to visit the D.C. DMV in person. You’ll have to provide the following:

For the replacement fee, you are able to pay with cash, credit card, check, or money order.

Summary of Costs for License Plates in Washington D.C.

The following are just some of the costs and fees associated with registering a vehicle and obtaining license plates in Washington D.C.:

For renewals, you can pay online using a credit card, or send check or money orders by mail.

Looking Up License Plates in Washington D.C.

Wondering whether the car you’re about to buy is stolen? Not sure if the license number you want is available?

You can look up these answers using FindByPlate, a free search engine with access to important information on vehicle ownership, history, and more.

Car Ownership in District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What D.C. DMV services are available online?

The D.C. DMV has a mobile app for both Android and Apple phones. This app allows you to skip a trip to the DMV and do the following online:

Does D.C. have inspection stickers?

Yes, all vehicles registered in the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) are required to have a valid inspection sticker. Inspection stickers from other jurisdictions will not do.

You can take your vehicle through inspection in D.C. using your current out-of-state tags. But if the tags are expired, you’ll need to visit a DC DMV service center with the title and proof of DC insurance. They will give you a temporary DC registration that will allow you to take your vehicle for inspection.

Note: You’ll pay the inspection fee at the time of registering your vehicle and not at the inspection station.

What is the vehicle inspection fee in D.C.?

D.C. vehicle inspection fees are collected when you register your vehicle at the DMV. The fee is $10 for 4 years for a new vehicle inspection sticker for a privately owned vehicle that is not for hire. Thereafter, the vehicle inspection fee is $35 for 2 years.

A late fee of $20 is applicable immediately after your current inspection sticker expires. You’ll be charged $20 for each 30-day period that you are late in getting updated inspection stickers, up to a maximum of $480.

If your vehicle fails an inspection, you are eligible for two free re-inspections in the 20 calendar days following the failed inspection. After this timeframe, from the 21st day onward, there’s a $35 reinspection fee.

A replacement inspection sticker costs $10.

What does the D.C. DMV charge for vehicle title services?

The D.C. DMV charges the following for vehicle title services:

What are non-driver ID cards in D.C.?

The District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) DMV provides identification cards to residents who require some form of ID but do not need or want a driver’s license. These ID cards are called non-driver ID cards. This can be a REAL ID non-driver ID card which is a valid federal-level identification card. They also provide a limited purpose non-driver ID card for D.C. residents who don’t have a social security number.

Some individuals are eligible for free non-driver IDs:

Such individuals must still submit documentation to the D.C. DMV as proof of identification, SSN, residency status, and other supporting documents such as an authorized letter from the DC Department of Corrections or the DC Parole and Probation Agency for recently released prisoners. Replacement cards are issued for a fee.