After you pass in District of Columbia: restrictions and your licence
Passing the DC road test before 21 gives you a provisional license, not a full one. You can now drive alone, but DC's GRAD rules still limit passengers, night driving and phone use.
These limits are there because the first months of solo driving are the riskiest. Following them also keeps your record clean, which you need to move up to a full license with conditions.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can list the passenger, hour and phone limits on a provisional license.
- You can explain how the rules change on a full license with conditions.
- You can state when each set of limits ends.
- You can plan your upgrade to a full license with conditions.
What you need to know and understand
- Provisional fee: $20. Provisional licenses are valid for up to 1 year under DC law.
- Provisional passengers: only one licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat, plus siblings or parents.
- Hours, September to June: Sunday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10:59 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. July and August: 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. every day.
- Drivers under 18 may not use any phone while driving, even hands-free.
- You can upgrade to a full license with conditions from 17, after 6 months on a provisional license, 12 months free of point-carrying offenses and 10 certified night hours.
- On a full license with conditions under 18: no more than 2 passengers under 21 (siblings excepted), everyone belted, and the same night hours.
- Hour and passenger limits end at 18. You leave the GRAD program at 21.
Provisional versus full license with conditions
- Passengers: provisional allows only one licensed adult 21+ plus siblings or parents; full with conditions (under 18) allows up to 2 passengers under 21, not counting siblings.
- Night hours: the same windows apply to both until you turn 18.
- Seat belts: under 18 on a full license with conditions, you may not drive if anyone is unbelted.
- Vehicles: under 18 on a full license with conditions, you may drive only passenger vehicles for pleasure, not for pay.
When you may drive late
The night limits do not apply when you are driving to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, a religious or athletic event or a related training session run by the District, a civic group or a similar organization. They also do not apply when a licensed driver aged 21 or older sits beside you wearing a seat belt.
Upgrading to a full license with conditions
- Check that you are at least 17 and have held your provisional license for 6 months.
- Make sure you have had no point-carrying offense for 12 months in a row.
- Log at least 10 hours of night driving with a fully licensed driver aged 21 or older.
- Complete the Certification of Eligibility for Full License with Conditions form and attach a copy of the supervisor's license.
- Apply online with DC DMV and pay the $47 license fee. The license is mailed to you.
Common mistakes
- Giving several friends a ride the week you pass. Provisional drivers may not carry friends at all unless one is a licensed adult 21 or older.
- Driving home from a party after 11 p.m. on a school night without a valid exception.
- Taking a hands-free call at 17. Under-18 drivers may not use phones at all.
- Getting a ticket and losing track of the 12-month clean-record clock.
Test yourself: After you pass in District of Columbia: restrictions and your licence
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Sources: GRAD License Program page, DC DMV (dmv.dc.gov); Full License with Conditions and Provisional License pages, DC DMV; Driver License Fees, DC DMV; District of Columbia Official Code sections 50-1401.01 and 50-1731.05. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the District of Columbia licensing agency.