Free District of Columbia (DC) DMV practice tests
Free District of Columbia driver's license practice questions from the official driver handbook, with every answer explained.
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Driver's license tests
6 tests, 150 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 1 25 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 2 25 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 3 25 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 4 25 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 5 25 questions
- DC DMV driver's license practice test 6 25 questions
District of Columbia written test facts
Facts checked against official sources.
District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles handles driver licensing in District of Columbia. The minimum age for a permit is 16. Our practice questions come from the DC DMV Driver Manual. We checked these facts against official sources on October 2, 2026.
- Minimum age for a permit
- At least 16 years old
- Official handbook
- DC DMV Driver Manual
Sources
Checked on October 2, 2026
How to get a District of Columbia driver's license
This is how DC DMV describes a first license for drivers under 21, based on the DC DMV Driver Manual and the agency's pages on permits, knowledge tests and the GRAD program. Check dmv.dc.gov for current fees and appointments before you go.
Get a learner permit at 16
Bring the application, proof of identity, your Social Security number and two DC residency documents, plus a parental consent form if you're 16 or 17. Pass the vision screening and the knowledge test.
Practice for at least six months
Drive with a fully licensed driver 21 or older beside you, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Stay free of pointable violations for six months and build up at least 40 hours behind the wheel.
Pass the road skills test
Book it online or by calling 311. Arrive at least 10 minutes early with your permit, a licensed driver 21 or older and a registered, insured car that meets DMV's rules, or use a DMV test vehicle at no extra fee. Passing at 16½ or older gets you a provisional license.
Move up to a full license
At 17 or older, after six months with the provisional license, 12 months without pointable violations and 10 certified hours of night driving, you get a full license with conditions. Until 18, driving hours and passengers stay limited.
Based on:DC DMV Driver Manual (English edition published on Issuu in December 2023, linked from the DC DMV manual page)Knowledge Tests (DC DMV)Obtain a REAL ID Learner Permit (DC DMV)GRAD License Program (DC DMV)Full License with Conditions (DC DMV)
Checked on October 2, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be for a learner permit in DC?
16. You pass a vision screening and the knowledge test, and bring proof of identity, your Social Security number and two proofs of DC residency. If you're 16 or 17, a parent or guardian signs a consent form.
How many questions are on the DC knowledge test?
DC DMV doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score. It does publish time limits: 75 minutes for the learner permit (GRAD) test and 60 minutes for the standard non-commercial test. If you go over the limit, you fail.
Can I take the DC permit test online?
Yes. The standard test and the GRAD test for 16- to 20-year-olds can be taken virtually or at a Test Proctoring Center, by appointment. Service centers also give the test on a first-come, first-served basis. After you pass, you have 14 business days to bring your documents to a service center, or the result won't count.
What happens if I fail the knowledge test?
You wait three full calendar days, so if you fail on a Tuesday you can retest on Saturday. After six failures in 12 months, you can't take a seventh test until 12 months after the first failure. The test fee is charged whether you pass or fail.
What are the rules for a learner permit in DC?
Drivers under 21 are in the GRAD program. With a permit you drive only with a fully licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. You can't carry other passengers or use a phone, even hands-free.
When can I get a provisional license?
At 16 and a half, once you've held the permit for six months with no pointable moving violations. You also need a signed form showing 40 hours of supervised driving, and you have to pass the road skills test. The provisional license is valid for one year.
What happens when a GRAD driver turns 21?
They leave the program. A permit holder can book a road test right away, without the certification form or the six-month wait. A provisional license holder can get a full license at a service center, or keep the provisional license until it expires.