Roadwise States District of Columbia Driving lessons The provisional license District of Columbia driving lesson · License Types & the GRAD Program
The provisional license A 2-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.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit License Types & the GRAD Program
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 14, 15 The provisional license is GRAD stage two. You can finally drive alone, but passengers and hours are limited, and you need a clean record to move on.
To get a provisional license you must: Be at least 16 years, 6 months old Have held a valid learner permit for at least 6 months with no pointable moving violations Give a signed 40-hour Certification of Eligibility for Provisional License form Pass the road skills test Handbook p. 14 ↗ 40 hours Supervised driving certified, with a licensed driver 21+ who holds a valid full license
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
You can drive alone. Passengers allowed: one holder of a valid full license who is 21 or older, in the front passenger seat and wearing a seat belt, plus any passenger who is your sibling, child or parent.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Know the rule
You and your passengers must wear seat belts at all times, and driving hours are restricted.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Know the rule
Before age 18, you may not operate a vehicle for compensation.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ 12 months Consecutive violation-free months before graduating to the Full License with conditions stage
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Put it into practice
You're 17 with a provisional license. Driving your 15-year-old sister to school is fine: siblings are allowed. Giving a 17-year-old classmate a ride is not, unless the only other passenger allowed is a 21+ full-license holder in the front seat.
A useful reminder Provisional minimum age is 16 years 6 months, and you must have held the permit at least 6 months.
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.
What is the minimum age to obtain a DC provisional driver license? 16 years old exactly 17 years old exactly 18 years old exactly 16 years, 6 months Answer: 16 years, 6 months
A provisional license applicant must be at least 16 years and 6 months old.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ How long must a DC applicant have held a learner permit before qualifying for a provisional license? At least 6 months At least 3 months At least 12 months At least 1 month Answer: At least 6 months
Applicants must have held a valid learner permit for at least 6 months before getting a provisional license.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ How many hours of certified driving experience are required before a DC provisional license is issued? 20 hours 40 hours with a licensed driver 21+ 60 hours 10 hours Answer: 40 hours with a licensed driver 21+
A signed Certification of Eligibility must confirm at least 40 hours of accompanied driving experience.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ How long is a DC provisional driver license valid? Two years, non-renewable Six months, non-renewable One year, renewable Until age 21 only Answer: One year, renewable
The provisional license is valid for one year and can be renewed.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ A 17-year-old DC provisional license holder wants to drive with one passenger who is not a relative. What must be true of that passenger? The passenger must also hold a provisional license Any friend over age 16 may ride along No non-relative passengers are ever allowed A fully licensed driver 21 or older Answer: A fully licensed driver 21 or older
A provisional license holder may carry one non-relative passenger only if that passenger is 21+, fully licensed, front seat, belted.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Under the GRAD provisional stage, which passengers are allowed in addition to a supervising 21+ licensed driver? The driver's sibling, child, or parent Any of the driver's classmates Up to three of the driver's friends The driver's coworkers only Answer: The driver's sibling, child, or parent
Provisional drivers may carry one fully licensed 21+ front-seat passenger and any other passenger who is their sibling, child, or parent.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Previous lesson The learner permit Next lesson GRAD driving hours & exceptions More in License Types & the GRAD Program About the source Roadwise’s District of Columbia course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 14, 15. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check District of Columbia’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.