Quick Answer
Yes — D.C. issues a Limited Purpose driver license to residents of more than 6 months who don't have a current Social Security number. To get one:
- Bring proof of identity, 2 proofs of current D.C. residency, 2 proofs of 6 months' residency, and the DMV's no-SSN declaration form.
- Pass the vision screening and the knowledge test ($10), then the road test ($10).
- Pay $47 for an 8-year license.
The license states "Not valid for official federal purposes," so TSA won't accept it.
Can You Get a Driver's License in D.C. Without an SSN?
Yes. D.C. Code § 50-1401.05, added by D.C. Law 20-62 and applicable since May 1, 2014, requires the DMV to issue a Limited Purpose license to residents of more than 6 months who have never had a Social Security number, can't establish legal presence, or aren't eligible for one. The DMV cannot require an SSN.
The statute is at D.C. Code § 50-1401.05, and the DMV describes the credential on its Limited Purpose driver license page. You can't hold a Limited Purpose license if you currently have a valid SSN you can use.
What Does a D.C. Limited Purpose License Say on Its Face?
By law, the license states "Not valid for official federal purposes" on its face and in its machine-readable zone, in text no larger than the smallest font on the card. It carries the same driving privileges as a standard D.C. license, but TSA and federal facilities won't accept it as identification.
D.C. Code § 50-1401.05(g) adds 2 protections: the card can't be used to consider a person's citizenship or immigration status, and it can't be used as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest, or detention.
- For air travel, carry your valid foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID. See our guide to flying with an ITIN.
What Documents Does D.C. Require?
D.C. requires 5 kinds of documents: proof of identity and age, 2 documents showing current D.C. residency, 2 documents showing at least 6 months of D.C. residency, the DMV's declaration of Social Security ineligibility, and a parental consent form for applicants 16 or 17. The DMV won't accept any document that isn't on its lists.
- 1Identity and age — a document from the DMV's accepted identity list. Documents not in English need a certified translation.
- 2Current D.C. residency — 2 documents from the DMV's list.
- 36-month D.C. residency — 2 documents from the DMV's 6-month residency list, or the DMV's 6-Month Residency Certification form.
- 4Social Security ineligibility — the DMV's declaration form, signed under penalty of perjury.
- 5Ages 16–17 — a parental consent form.
The DMV validates your source documents once, when you first apply. Its step-by-step page links to each accepted-document list.
How Much Does a D.C. Limited Purpose License Cost?
A D.C. Limited Purpose license costs the same as a standard license: $47 for 8 years. New drivers also pay $10 for the knowledge test at a DMV service center, $20 for a learner permit, and $10 for the road test, so a first-time driver pays about $87 in total. Card payments add a 2.5% service fee.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver license, first-time or renewal (8 years) | $47 |
| Knowledge test at a DMV service center | $10 |
| Learner permit | $20 |
| Road test | $10 ($30 if you cancel late) |
| Duplicate license | $20 |
Fees come from the DC DMV driver license fee schedule; a 2.5% service fee applies to debit and credit card payments since Dec. 15, 2025.
How Do I Apply Step by Step?
The DC DMV lists 8 steps: complete the application, present your documents, pass the vision screening, pass the knowledge test, pass the road skills test by appointment only, take a digital photo, pay the fees, and receive your license by mail. You get a 45-day temporary paper license, and the card arrives within 10 business days.
- Step 1: Complete the application and gather documents from the DMV's lists.
- Step 2: At a service center, present your documents and pass the vision screening.
- Step 3: Pass the knowledge test ($10). Without a valid license from D.C. or another jurisdiction, you first receive a learner permit.
- Step 4: Schedule and pass the road skills test ($10). Walk-ins aren't accepted, and cancelling less than 2 business days ahead costs $30.
- Step 5: Take your photo and pay $47. The DMV mails the license to your street address, not a P.O. box.
What Can You Do With a D.C. Limited Purpose License?
A D.C. Limited Purpose license gives you the same right to drive as a standard D.C. license, for 8 years, and lets you buy auto insurance. It can't be used for official federal purposes such as TSA airport screening or entering secure federal buildings, and it doesn't prove immigration status or work authorization.
- Drive legally in D.C. and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- Show it as identification where federal REAL ID rules don't apply
You cannot use it to:
- Board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal building
- Prove immigration status or eligibility to work
Out of state, Wyoming treats any license or privilege card issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, Florida and Tennessee restrict some of them, and Georgia bars drivers without lawful status. See which states restrict these licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to live in D.C. to get a Limited Purpose license?
More than 6 months. You prove it with 2 documents from the DMV's 6-month residency list, in addition to 2 documents showing your current D.C. address.
Do I need an ITIN for a D.C. Limited Purpose license?
The law doesn't require one, and it bars the DMV from requiring a Social Security number. You sign the DMV's declaration that you aren't eligible for an SSN.
How long is a D.C. Limited Purpose license valid?
8 years, the same as a standard D.C. license. The fee is $47 for first-time and renewal licenses.
Can police use my Limited Purpose license to check my immigration status?
D.C. law says the card can't be used to consider a person's citizenship or immigration status, or as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest, or detention.
Can I fly with a D.C. Limited Purpose license?
No. It states "Not valid for official federal purposes," so TSA won't accept it. Use your valid foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
Which Other States Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Washington, D.C., and 19 states license drivers without proof of lawful status. Its neighbors Maryland and Virginia both issue them too: Maryland requires 2 years of state tax returns, and Virginia requires a recent Virginia tax return. D.C.'s rule is unusual because it asks for 6 months of residency instead of a tax filing.
For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →