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District of Columbia driving lesson · License Types & the GRAD Program

Full license & leaving GRAD

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.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
License Types & the GRAD Program
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
14, 15

The last GRAD stage is the full license. Under 18 it comes with conditions. At 21 you leave GRAD entirely, and some waiting periods no longer apply.

After holding a provisional license at least 6 months, to get a full license you must:

  • Have no pointable moving violations for 12 consecutive months
  • Practice at least 10 hours of night driving with a licensed driver 21+ who has a valid full license
  • Provide a signed Certification of Eligibility for Full Driver License form
Handbook p. 14 ↗

Know the rule

Full License with conditions (under 18): you can drive alone, but with no more than two (2) passengers under age 21. This limit does not apply to passengers who are your siblings or child.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Under 18, you may not operate anything other than a passenger vehicle or motorized bicycle used solely for pleasure and not for compensation.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

You and your passengers must wear seat belts at all times. Under 18, your parent/legal guardian is notified of your GRAD violations.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

If you are not required to be in GRAD, once you complete all learner permit requirements you take and pass the Road Skills test and may then get a full license.

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Turning 21 in GRAD

Turning 21 in GRAD
Your stage at 21What you can do
Learner permitSchedule a road test immediately
Provisional licenseVisit a DMV center for a full license
Either stageNo certification form or 6-month hold
Handbook p. 15 ↗

A regular driver license lets you operate:

  • Vehicles with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds, for non-commercial use
  • Motor-driven cycles
  • Passenger vans seating up to fifteen (15) passengers
Handbook p. 14 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 17 with a full license with conditions and want to drive three 16-year-old friends to a game. That's one too many: the limit is two passengers under 21. If one of the three is your brother, the trip is legal.

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.

How long must a DC provisional license be held before a driver may qualify for a full license?
  1. At least 3 months
  2. At least 1 year
  3. At least 2 years
  4. At least 6 months

Answer: At least 6 months

After holding the provisional license for at least 6 months and meeting other requirements, a full license may be issued.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
How many hours of certified night driving experience are required for a DC full driver license under GRAD?
  1. At least 10 hours with a driver 21+
  2. 5 hours
  3. 20 hours
  4. No night driving is required

Answer: At least 10 hours with a driver 21+

A signed certification must confirm at least 10 hours of night driving experience accompanied by a 21+ full license holder.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
Under a DC Full License with Conditions, how many passengers under age 21 may a driver under 18 carry (excluding siblings or their own child)?
  1. No more than 1
  2. No more than 2
  3. No more than 4
  4. Unlimited

Answer: No more than 2

Drivers under 18 with a Full License with Conditions may carry no more than 2 passengers under 21, not counting siblings or their child.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
What is the maximum GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) a regular DC driver license allows for non-commercial use?
  1. Less than 10,000 pounds
  2. Less than 50,000 pounds
  3. Less than 26,001 pounds
  4. There is no weight limit

Answer: Less than 26,001 pounds

A regular license permits operating non-commercial vehicles with a GVWR under 26,001 pounds.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
At what age are GRAD program drivers released from its restrictions?
  1. Age 18
  2. Age 19
  3. Age 20
  4. Age 21

Answer: Age 21

GRAD drivers are released from the program's restrictions once they turn 21.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
A GRAD learner permit holder turns 21 while still on a permit. What must they do before taking the road test?
  1. Nothing extra; schedule it immediately
  2. Complete another 40 hours of certified driving
  3. Hold the permit for 6 more months
  4. Retake the knowledge test

Answer: Nothing extra; schedule it immediately

At 21, the certification form and 6-month holding period are no longer required before scheduling the road test.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
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