In order to get the learners permit and eventually the District of Columbia drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the learners permit test with our DC DMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests are free when you purchase our online Connecticut drivers education course and they are always available to all course graduates.

Drivers education is not mandatory in the District of Columbia. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take a Washington DC drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

• Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
• Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
• Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com Washington DC drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Apply for your learners permit at a District of Columbia DMV Service Location near you. No appointment is necessary to take the knowledge test.

In order to be eligible for the learners permit, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Present valid proof of birth, social security number and DC residency or a valid DC identification card.
3. Present a Notarized Parental Consent Form (if under the age of 18) with a copy of parent or legal guardian's DC drivers license or DC identification card.
4. Pass a vision test.
5. Pass the knowledge test.

Once you pass the written knowledge test you will be issued a learners permit with the following restrictions:

• You CANNOT drive alone with a learners permit.
• You must be accompanied by, and under the instruction of, a driver who is 21 years or older, has a valid full drivers license and is seated next to you in the passenger front seat.
• You can only drive between the hours of 6:00am - 9:00pm (under 21)
• You and your passengers must wear seatbelts at all times.
• You may not operate a motor vehicle for compensation.
• You may not operate a commercial vehicle.

Practice driving with a driver who is 21 years or older, has a valid full drivers license and is seated next to you in the passenger front seat.

If you are under 21, you must get at least 40 hours of supervised driving experience and hold your learners permit for at least 6 months.

DriversEd.com can help make the supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

Schedule a driving test for the District of Columbia drivers license at a DMV Service Location near you.
In order to take the driving test, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years and 6 months old.
2. Have held a valid learners permit for at least 6 months point-able violation free (if under 21).
3. If under 21, provide a signed 40 hours Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License form certifying that you have at least 40 hours of driving experience accompanied by a licensed driver(s) who is 21 years or older and who has a valid full drivers license. A photocopy of the supervised driver(s) license must be submitted.

Once you pass the driving test, if you are at least 21 you will be issued a full license. If you are under 21, you will be issued a provisional license with the following restrictions:

• You can drive with one passenger 21 years of age or old who holds a valid full drivers license and is occupying the front passenger seat next to you and wearing a seat belt, and any other passenger who is your sibling or parent.
• You and your passengers must wear seatbelts at all times
• You may drive during September - June, Sunday - Thursday from 6:00 am - 10:59 pm, Friday and Saturday from 6:00 am - 11:59 pm. During July and August you may drive everyday of the week from 6:00 am - 11:59 pm. You may operate a motor vehicle after restricted hours if you are driving to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, religious or an athletic event or related training session in which you are a participant, sponsored by the District of Columbia, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or if accompanied by the holder of a valid full drivers license who is 21 years of age or older, wearing a seat belt and occupying the passenger seat beside you.