District of Columbia driving lesson · Points, Violations & Your Record
Everyday legal duties
A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Some DC rules apply every time you drive: what you must carry, what you must keep current, and whom you must obey. Driving in DC is a privilege, not a right.
Important things to know:
The driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt
You must be hands-free while driving with a cellular phone
Update your address with DMV within sixty (60) days
Keep insurance as long as the vehicle is registered; a lapse is subject to fines
Don't cancel insurance until your vehicle tags are surrendered to DMV
Nothing may be attached to or hang from the rear-view mirror while driving
If stopped by law enforcement in DC, you must provide your valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Failure to comply may result in a fine and/or arrest.
You must be able to read and explain all highway signs. The knowledge test includes local and highway signs, and the examiner checks that you pay attention to signs during the driving test.
You sell your car and want to stop paying for insurance. First surrender the tags to DMV, then cancel the policy. Cancelling first leaves a registered vehicle uninsured, and a lapse is subject to fines.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Hanging an air freshener from your rearview mirror while driving in DC is:
Allowed if it's small
Allowed if it doesn't block your view
Against DC regulations
Only a problem during a road test
Answer: Against DC regulations
Having anything attached to or hanging from the rearview mirror while driving is against DC regulations.