District of Columbia Driving Laws (2026): Speed, Phone, Insurance, Tax

District of Columbia driving laws: speed limits

The maximum speed limit in the District of Columbia is 55 mph.

Most DC streets are 25 mph or lower.

On major roads such as I-395 and I-295, signs are frequently below 55 mph, especially around Washington and in work zones.

Every driver must also hold a speed that suits the conditions, even below the posted number, and officers can write a ticket for that alone.

At a glance, under District of Columbia driving laws: max speed limit, 55 mph.

District of Columbia driving laws: cell phone and texting law

Only hands-free. the District of Columbia has a hands-free law: anyone driving cannot hold a phone to make calls or send messages on the road. Voice calls through the car and a mounted map are fine.

Under the District of Columbia driving laws, a mounted phone, voice commands and a single tap to take a call or start navigation are permitted; picking it up, even at a red light, is not.

Rules are tighter for teenagers: in the District of Columbia, permit holders and motorists under 18 cannot touch a phone while driving, hands-free included.

At a glance, under District of Columbia driving laws: phone law, hands-free law.

District of Columbia driving laws: driving age and teen licenses

Young motorists in the District of Columbia can obtain a learner's permit at 16 and an intermediate (provisional) license at 16, with night and passenger limits after that.

To qualify for the road test, teenagers in the District of Columbia must log 40 hours, plus 10 at night of supervised driving.

Bottom line, under District of Columbia driving laws: learner's permit age, permit at 16.

District of Columbia driving laws: minimum car insurance

the District of Columbia requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/10 in liability insurance: $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $10,000 for property damage. You also need uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

the District of Columbia uses fault-based claims, so the at-fault driver pays for the other parties' injuries and damage through liability coverage.

Required on top of liability in the District of Columbia: uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

A minimum policy seldom pays for a serious crash, since hospital bills and a new car can pass $50,000 in one crash.

Advisers often recommend limits like 100/300/100, as costs beyond the policy can be collected from you directly.

At a glance, under District of Columbia driving laws: car insurance, 25/50/10.

District of Columbia driving laws: car sales tax

the District of Columbia applies a 6% state excise tax on vehicle purchases. There are no additional local taxes.

Since February 2025, DC's one-time titling excise tax varies with the vehicle's weight and city fuel economy, so efficient vehicles pay much less than heavy, thirsty ones. The 6% used here is only an estimate; verify the DC DMV excise tax table for your car.

• A $18,800 car in the District of Columbia: roughly $1,128 in state tax
• A $33,200 car in the District of Columbia: roughly $1,992 in state tax
• A $55,000 car in the District of Columbia: roughly $3,300 in state tax

the District of Columbia taxes the full price, so a trade-in does not lower the District of Columbia driving laws.

At a glance, under District of Columbia driving laws: car sales tax, 6%.

District of Columbia driving laws: car inspection and emissions

Only an emissions test. the District of Columbia skips safety inspections, but requires emissions testing statewide.

Private vehicles need an emissions inspection every two years; safety inspections were dropped for most private vehicles.

Without periodic inspections in the District of Columbia, keeping brakes, lights and tires in good order is your responsibility.

Emissions tests on newer cars read the on-board computer, which takes a few minutes; a lit check-engine light generally means an automatic fail.

Bottom line, under District of Columbia driving laws: car inspection, emissions only.

District of Columbia driving laws: license and registration deadlines for new residents

After moving to the District of Columbia, you have 60 days to obtain a District of Columbia driver's license, and 60 days to register your car.

You must convert to a DC driver's license before you can register a vehicle in DC.

Checklist for District of Columbia driving laws

• Apply for a District of Columbia driver's license: 60 days. Bring proof of identity, your SSN and two documents with your new address to the DC DMV; REAL ID rules apply.
• Set up car insurance that meets the minimum: the District of Columbia sets a floor of 25/50/10. Coverage is typically needed ahead of registration.
• Inspection: Only an emissions test. the District of Columbia has no regular safety inspection, but requires emissions testing statewide.
• Register and title your car: 60 days at the DC DMV.

The clock generally begins when you start work, sign a lease or register kids for school in the District of Columbia, not on the day the truck arrives.

In short, under District of Columbia driving laws: new resident deadline, 60 days.

District of Columbia driving laws: motorcycle helmet law

Yes. the District of Columbia has a universal helmet law: all motorcyclists and passengers has to wear a DOT-approved helmet, whatever their age. That holds on I-395 and I-295 as much as on local streets in Washington.

Under the District of Columbia driving laws, operators and passengers of each age must wear a helmet on each motorcycle, and on mopeds that need an endorsement.

NHTSA estimates that helmets reduce roughly 37% of rider deaths in crashes, and around 41% of passenger deaths.

Any helmet worn to meet the law indicates the DOT label on the back; thin novelty shells that lack it are not legal.

At a glance, under District of Columbia driving laws: helmet law, all riders.

District of Columbia driving laws: lane splitting

No. Lane splitting and lane filtering are not legal in the District of Columbia. Each motorcycle gets its own full lane, and motorcyclists cannot squeeze between vehicles or split traffic.

With no law allowing it, District of Columbia driving laws counts as an illegal pass or an unsafe lane change, and a crash during a split may hurt the rider with insurers.

Bottom line, under District of Columbia driving laws: lane splitting, not permitted.

Where the District of Columbia driving laws stand out

• 55 mph (max speed limit), last in the nation (slower than every state)
• Learner's permit age: Permit at 16 — among the later 8 states

Getting around District of Columbia

Most long trips use I-395, I-295 and I-695, linking Washington, Georgetown and Washington. Each of these routes falls under District of Columbia driving laws.

Driver's licenses are issued by the DC DMV, and plates and titles come from the DC DMV.

Every law on this page applies across the state, whether in Washington or in rural counties.

Next door

• Maryland: max speed limit 70 mph (vs. 55 mph); car sales tax of 6.5% instead of 6%; car insurance of 30/60/15 instead of 25/50/10
• Virginia: max speed limit of 70 mph instead of 55 mph; car sales tax 4.15% (vs. 6%); car insurance 50/100/25 (vs. 25/50/10)