Washington DC License or ID Renewal

Renew a Washington DC Driver’s License or ID

You should receive a renewal notice around 60 days before your current ID or license expires. If you do NOT already have a REAL ID or a Limited Purpose ID, you must visit a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to renew.

See the page on Washington DC REAL ID requirements for information on how to obtain a REAL ID for the first time.

Most DC residents are eligible to renew:

• Online.
• By mail.

OR

• In person.

If it has been 545 days since your ID has expired, you’ll need to reapply for your license and pass road skills and written tests.

Renew DC License or ID Online

If you already have a REAL ID or Limited Purpose ID, the most convenient method to renew your license or ID is online. You are eligible to renew online if you(r):

• Address on file with the DMV is current.
• ID or license is currently valid or has NOT been expired 365 days or more.
• License is NOT currently suspended or revoked.
• Are NOT yet 70 years old or older (applies to drivers only).
• Have NOT had major changes to your vision or health that might affect your driving (applies to drivers only).
• Did NOT renew your last ID online (applies to non-driver IDs only).

To renew online, visit the online portal for driver’s license renewal OR non-driver ID renewal and:

• Select your license type (if applicable).
• Provide the requested information.
• Answer a health questionnaire (if applicable).
• Pay the applicable fee.
• Print the temporary license if you wish (it is valid for 45 days). 

Your new license or ID will arrive in the mail. The DMV will send it out within 15 days.

Renew a DC License or ID by Mail

To renew by mail, simply follow the instructions contained in the renewal notice. Your renewal notice should arrive in the mail about 60 days before your current license expires.

Your new card will be mailed back to you.

Renew a Washington DC ID or License in Person

When you renew in person, you can either obtain a Limited Purpose ID OR a REAL ID.

If you wish to obtain a REAL ID for the first time, check the page on for instructions.

A Limited Purpose ID will require providing the following at your local DMV office:

• Proof of identity. This may include your:
  • Valid passport.
  • U.S. birth certificate.
  • Military identification card.
• A signed Declaration of Social Security.
• 2 documents to prove your DC residency. This may include your:
  • Utility bill (from within the past 60 days).
  • A current lease or mortgage (issued within the past 60 days).
  • A bank or credit card statement (issued within the past 60 days).
• A completed 6-month Residency Certification Form for Limited Purpose Credential (DMV-6MR-001).
• Payment for the applicable renewal fee.

DC License or ID Renewal Fees

• Standard license renewal: $47.00
• Non-driver ID renewal: $20.00
• Non-driver ID renewal for residents 65 years old and older:
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) renewal: $117.00