DC DMV Hours by Location and Service Type

The DC Department of Motor Vehicles operates multiple service centers across the District, and each has different hours depending on the day and the type of service you need. The main office at 65 K Street NE is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The Northeast Service Center at 2235 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE keeps the same weekday hours but closes on Saturday. The Friendship Heights Service Center at 5010 Wisconsin Avenue NW is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. only — no Saturday service.

Not all services are available at all times. Vision tests, written exams, and road tests have their own schedules within these hours. If you need a road test, for example, the K Street location offers them Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Written exams run until 4:15 p.m. on weekdays and 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. Call the location where you plan to go before you arrive to confirm that the specific service you need is being offered that day.

Key Takeaways

  • The main DC DMV office at 65 K Street NE is open weekdays 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., but other locations have different hours.
  • Road tests, written exams, and vision tests each have their own time windows within the DMV's regular hours, and not all services run on Saturday.
  • The Northeast Service Center does not offer Saturday hours, and the Friendship Heights location is weekdays only.
  • Calling ahead to confirm your specific service is available on your chosen day will save you a wasted trip.

Wait Times and Peak Hours at DC DMV Locations

Wait times at DC DMV locations vary widely depending on the day of the week and the time of day you arrive. Early morning — the first hour after opening — typically has the shortest lines. Arriving at 8:15 a.m. on a weekday usually means a wait of 15 to 30 minutes, while the same location at 2 p.m. can mean 45 minutes to over an hour. Fridays and Saturdays are consistently busier than other days because people schedule appointments around their work week.

The K Street location handles the highest volume of customers and tends to have longer waits than the smaller service centers. If you have flexibility in where you go, the Friendship Heights or Northeast locations may move faster, though they offer fewer services overall. The DMV does not publish real-time wait times, so you cannot check before you leave home. Your best strategy is to arrive early in the morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday if your schedule allows.

How to Check Hours Before You Go

The official DC DMV website at dmv.dc.gov lists the hours for each location, but the information is sometimes not updated when ready when hours change for holidays or staffing reasons. Before you make the trip, call the specific location where you plan to go. The main K Street office number is 202-727-5000. The Northeast Service Center is 202-727-5000 (same main line, ask for the location). The Friendship Heights location is also reached through the main number.

When you call, ask not only about the hours but also whether the specific service you need — a road test, written exam, or license renewal — is being offered that day. Some services are occasionally suspended due to staffing or equipment issues. You can also ask about current wait times, though staff cannot always predict accurately. If you are planning a road test, ask whether the examiner is available on your preferred date, since road test slots fill up weeks in advance.

Road Test Scheduling and Hours

Road tests at the DC DMV must be scheduled in advance; you cannot walk in and take one the same day. The K Street location offers road tests Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. You schedule a test by calling 202-727-5000 or through the DMV website. The wait for an available test slot is typically two to four weeks, depending on the season. Summer and early fall are busier, so slots fill faster.

When you arrive for your road test, plan to be there 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring your permit, proof of insurance, and the vehicle you will be tested in. The test itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour before the examiner is ready for you, even if you arrived on time. If you miss your scheduled time, you forfeit the slot and must reschedule.

Written Exams and Vision Tests During DMV Hours

Written exams for a learner's permit or license renewal are offered during regular DMV hours at all three locations. At the K Street office, written exams are administered until 4:15 p.m. on weekdays and 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. At the other locations, exams close 30 minutes before the office closes. You do not need an appointment for a written exam — you can walk in during these hours. Bring your ID, proof of residency, and any other documents the DMV requires for your specific transaction.

Vision tests are administered on-site at all locations during the same hours as written exams. If you fail the vision test, you will be referred to an eye care provider and cannot take the written exam that day. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. The vision test takes about 5 to 10 minutes and is included in your overall wait time.

Holiday Closures and Schedule Changes

The DC DMV is closed on federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On the day before or after a holiday, hours may be shortened or the office may close early. The DMV website publishes a holiday schedule each year, but it is worth calling ahead if you are planning a visit near a holiday.

In addition to holidays, the DMV occasionally closes individual locations for maintenance, equipment repairs, or staffing shortages. These closures are usually announced on the website and through the main phone line, but not always with much notice. If you are making a special trip to a specific location, a quick call to confirm it is open that day takes only a minute and prevents frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time should I arrive to avoid a long wait?

Arrive at 8:15 a.m. when the office opens, especially on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Early morning typically means a 15 to 30 minute wait instead of 45 minutes to an hour later in the day. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays if you can, as those days are consistently busier.

Can I schedule a written exam or vision test in advance?

No. Written exams and vision tests are walk-in services during regular DMV hours. Road tests must be scheduled ahead, usually two to four weeks in advance. For written exams and vision tests, just arrive during the hours listed for your location and bring your required documents.

Which DC DMV location has the shortest wait?

The Friendship Heights and Northeast Service Centers typically have shorter waits than the main K Street office because they handle lower volume. However, they offer fewer services overall. If the service you need is available at a smaller location, going there instead of K Street usually saves time.

What happens if I miss my road test appointment?

You forfeit the slot and must reschedule. Road test slots are in high demand and fill weeks in advance, so missing an appointment means waiting another two to four weeks for the next available time. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to avoid missing your scheduled time.

Are there any DC DMV locations open on Sunday?

No. All DC DMV locations are closed on Sunday. The only weekend service is Saturday morning at the K Street and Northeast locations. The Friendship Heights location is closed on weekends entirely.