District of Columbia graduated driver licence stages
Washington, DC uses a graduated licensing system called the GRAD program. Drivers aged 16 to 20 move through three stages, gaining more freedom as they build experience without traffic violations.
Knowing the stages helps you plan. Each step has a minimum age, a minimum time in the previous stage and a clean-record requirement, so a single ticket can delay your progress.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can name the three stages of the DC GRAD program in order.
- You can state the minimum age for each stage.
- You can explain how long you must hold a permit and a provisional license before moving up.
- You can describe the night and passenger limits that apply at each stage.
- You can explain what happens if you break a GRAD restriction.
What you need to know and understand
- GRAD applies to new drivers from 16 up to 21. You are released from the program when you turn 21.
- Stage 1 is the learner permit, available from age 16.
- Stage 2 is the provisional license, available from age 16 and a half after at least 6 months on a permit, 40 certified practice hours and a road test pass.
- Stage 3 is the full license with conditions, available from age 17 after at least 6 months on a provisional license.
- To reach stage 3 you need 12 consecutive months with no offense that carries points, plus 10 certified hours of night driving.
- Breaking a GRAD restriction leads to suspension: 30 days for a first violation, 60 for a second and 90 for a third or later, and a parent or guardian of a driver under 18 is notified.
Stage by stage: what each license lets you do
The learner permit is for practice only. You must have a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside you, wearing a seat belt, and you may drive only between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The provisional license lets you drive alone, but with limits on passengers and hours. Under DC law the only passengers allowed are one licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat, plus your siblings or parents.
The full license with conditions is the last GRAD step. Until you turn 18 you may carry no more than 2 passengers under 21 (siblings do not count), everyone must be belted, and night hours still apply.
Night driving windows
Provisional drivers, and full-license drivers aged 17 to 18, follow the same hours set by DC DMV:
- September to June, Sunday to Thursday: 6 a.m. to 10:59 p.m.
- September to June, Friday and Saturday: 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- July and August, every day: 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Exceptions include driving to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, a religious or athletic event, or when a licensed driver aged 21 or older sits beside you wearing a seat belt.
How to move up a stage
- Get your learner permit at 16 by passing the vision screening and knowledge test.
- Practice for at least 6 months and log at least 40 hours with a supervising driver aged 21 or older.
- Pass the road skills test (at 16 and a half or older) to receive a provisional license.
- Hold the provisional license for at least 6 months, stay free of point-carrying offenses for 12 months in a row and log 10 night hours.
- Apply for the full license with conditions from age 17. DC DMV lets eligible drivers do this online.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the passenger limit is the same at every stage. Provisional drivers face the strictest limit, so check which stage you are in.
- Forgetting that one points ticket resets the 12-month clean-record clock for the full license.
- Driving after the curfew without a valid exception. Keep proof of a work shift or school event if you drive late.
- Thinking you leave GRAD at 18. Hour and passenger limits end at 18, but the program itself runs until 21.
Test yourself: District of Columbia graduated driver licence stages
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: GRAD License Program page, District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.dc.gov); Full License with Conditions page, DC DMV; District of Columbia Official Code section 50-1401.01 (code.dccouncil.gov). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the District of Columbia licensing agency.