DMV FAQs

1. How do I obtain a letter from the Department of State permitting me to seek a license from a local Department of Motor Vehicles (“Non-Eligibility Letter”)?

Effective February 2, 2022, requests for regular non-eligibility letters for individuals who have a PID are submitted via eGov.  U.S. Government Agency-Sponsored personnel and individuals not associated with a foreign mission or international organization and therefore not eligible for a PID are to be issued letters directly by the sponsoring agency.

2. How do I obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL) Non-Eligibility Letter?

Effective March 2, 2022, OFM no longer issues CDLs, also knows as a class B license, to members of the foreign mission community.  Foreign mission members and their dependents who are required to receive services from OFM and are seeking to obtain a CDL will be able to request a “CDL Non-Eligibility Letter” from OFM.  Such members will be required to first have OFM issued license.  The “CDL Non-Eligibility Letter” would then be used to apply for a CDL through the individual’s local Department of Motor Vehicles or affiliated local motor vehicle agency in their state of residence.

All requests for CDL “Non-Eligibility Letters” must be submitted by the embassies via a diplomatic note to OFM for consideration.  Such requests must include the applicant’s personal identification number (PID), full name and date of birth, and the complete residential address of the applicant in the United States.  Reach out to OFM-Policy@state.gov

3. How do I obtain my Driver History Record (DHR)?

Individuals requesting an DHR must submit the information below electronically to OFM-DMV@state.gov.

The DHR request must be sent from an official e-mail address and include:

a. Applicant’s name, date of birth, and driver license number

For applicants outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, please send this request to the appropriate OFM Regional Office.

4. How do I obtain a Driver’s License or Non-Driver Identification card?

All applications for the Department’s Diplomatic Driver’s License or Non-Driver Identification card will only be accepted via the eGov system; please see your mission or organization’s Administrative Officer for assistance. Guidelines for a complete application:

a. e-Gov Driver License Application Submission

b. Signature Card;

c. Color photocopy of applicable foreign, Department of State driver’s license or U.S State driver’s license;

d. Completed Driver License Supplemental Form including the examiner’s signature, date of exam, and Motor Vehicle Administration stamp from the MVA in applicant’s state of residence or for vision exams only, certification from a U.S.-licensed physician.

5. How long does it take to receive a Driver’s License or Non-Driver Identification card?

Generally, a request for a driver’s license or non-driver identification is completed in 1-5 business days. However, requests could take longer to complete during high volume periods such as summer.

6. How do I apply for the title to my vehicle?

Applications for title will only be accepted via the e-Gov system; please see your mission or organization Administrative Officer for assistance.

7. How long does it take to process a title application?

Generally, a request for vehicle title is completed in 1-2 business days. However, requests could take longer to complete during high volume periods such as summer.

8. How do I register my vehicle?

Applications for vehicle registration will only be accepted via the e-Gov system; please see your mission or organization Administrative Officer for assistance.

9. How long does it take to process a vehicle registration?

Generally, a request for vehicle registration is completed in 1-5 business days. However, requests could take longer to complete during high volume periods such as summer.

10. Why does my vehicle appear on the Vehicles with Expired Insurance Report, when I have current and valid insurance coverage?

Insurance companies do not automatically forward insurance policies to the Diplomatic Motor Vehicle (DMV) office when an insurance policy is renewed.  To prevent your vehicle from appearing on the expired insurance report, the mission must submit the insurance updates via eGov.

11. What is an insurance binder?

When applying for new insurance, the insurance company will complete a written contract, known as a binder.  Included in this document will be a binder number that will be assigned for 45 days until the insurance company has had time to issue a policy number.  Once an individual or a mission has received their copy of the declaration page with the policy number, the Mission should submit the insurance updated via eGov.

12. What happens when an insurance policy is renewed by an insurance company?

When your policy becomes due for renewal, in six months or one year, you will receive a bill from the insurance company.  Once you send your payment to the company and/or agent, you will receive an insurance identification card and declaration page in the mail.  A copy of the declaration page must be submitted to the Office of Foreign Missions via eGov.

13. What is an insurance notification reminder email and why are there multiple emails that eGov users are receiving?  

To assist with the insurance notification requirement and to prevent a lapse of insurance, the Department’s eGov system will send reminder emails to the mission eGov users 45 days before an insurance policy expires.  Upon expiration of an insurance policy, the Department’s eGov system will send a second email to notify the mission eGov users that a vehicle insurance policy has expired.

14. What happens when an insurance policy expires?

The vehicle registration(s) will be immediately suspended, and it will no longer be legal to operation the vehicle(s).  Further, an updated insurance policy via eGov must be received and a $200 non-compliance fee will be due prior to renewal of the vehicle’s suspended registration.

15. When will I receive my registration renewal decal for my vehicle’s license plate?

The registration renewals are printed on the first business day of every month and distribution occurs during that week. In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the registration renewals and decals are available for pickup in the Office of Foreign Mission’s Customer Service Center located at 3507 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C., 20008. Outside the Washington Metropolitan Area, please see the OFM Regional Office that serves your area.

16. What is the procedure if I’ve lost my renewal decal?

All applications for lost decals are made through the e-Gov system; please see your mission or organization Administrative Officer for assistance. Note that there is a fee of $25 for a lost decal, but if the decal has been stolen, a police report must be filed and reported to OFM/DMV to get an OFM Report Number. There is no fee if the stolen decal has been reported to the police.

17. Where do I place the renewal decal on my vehicle’s license plate?

The renewal decal must be placed on the rear license plate of the vehicle in the lower left hand corner directly over the decal it replaces. The license plate may not be encased in a license plate frame as this obscures the decal and its expiration date.

18. Are foreign missions or their members exempt from parking tickets?

No. Foreign missions and mission members and their families are not exempt from resolving parking tickets. In accordance with international treaties, host government laws and regulations are to be respected. All parking tickets must either be paid or contested directly with the local jurisdiction issuing the ticket. The U.S. Department of State has no authority to intervene or dismiss tickets or fines. Failure to resolve parking tickets can result in nonrenewal of the annual vehicle registration for the offending mission or mission member.

19. Can foreign mission members be issued traffic citations by police for motor vehicle law violations?

Yes. Under international law and practice, persons enjoying immunity from the jurisdiction of the host country’s laws are nonetheless obligated to respect those laws. Police are to always treat foreign diplomatic and consular personnel with respect and due regard to the privileges and immunities to which they are entitled; however immunity is not a license for misconduct. In the interest of public safety, police may issue citations for alleged traffic violations; however, individuals possessing immunity may not be arrested or detained. The U.S. Department of State has no authority to intervene with local jurisdictions or to dismiss violations or fines, and all mission members are expected to resolve their violations with the local jurisdiction. Failure to resolve traffic violations could result in the loss of driving privileges. Policies and procedures for resolving motor vehicle violations and law enforcement matters are outlined here.