2020 District of Columbia Code
Title 50 - Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic
Chapter 15 - Registration of Motor Vehicles
Subchapter I - General Provisions
§ 50–1501.03. Fees classified and use of proceeds designated

(a)(1)(A) There shall be levied, collected, and paid for each registration year for each motor vehicle or trailer required to be registered under this subchapter, the registration fee provided in this section, except that in the event the Council of the District of Columbia prescribes and the Mayor of the District of Columbia issues as the official identification tags for the District of Columbia tags treated with special reflective materials designed to increase the visibility and legibility of such tags, the Council may charge a fee not exceeding $.50 in addition to all other fees which may be required.

(B) Any person ordering a tag with special markings unique to that person shall pay a one-time application fee of $100, and may obtain a replacement if a tag is lost or stolen upon payment of a fee of $25 per tag.

(C) Any person displaying a tag already approved for use by a member of an organization other than Disabled American Veterans shall pay a one-time application fee of $100, and may obtain a replacement if a tag is lost or stolen upon payment of a $25 fee per tag.

(D) Any person ordering Anacostia River Commemorative License Plates shall pay the fees as set forth in § 8-102.07(b).

(E) Any person ordering veterans identification tags pursuant to § 50-1501.02a shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02a(b)(2).

(F) Any person ordering a women veterans identification tags pursuant to § 50-1501.02b shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02b(b)(1).

(G) Any person ordering bicycle awareness identification tags shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02c(b)(1).

(H) Any person ordering a "We Demand Statehood" identification tag designed and made available pursuant to § 50-1501.02d(a) shall pay the fees established pursuant to § 50-1501.02d(b)(1).

(I) Any person ordering an arts and humanities motor-vehicle identification tag issued pursuant to § 50-1501.02e(a) shall pay the fees established pursuant to § 50-1501.02e(b).

(J) Any person ordering a breast cancer awareness identification tag shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02f(b)(1).

(K) Any person ordering a parks and recreation identification tag shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02g(b)(1).

(L) Any person ordering a Washington Capitals identification tag shall pay the fees as set forth in § 50-1501.02h(b)(1).

(M) Any person ordering a Washington Mystics identification tag shall pay the fees set forth in § 50-1501.02i(b)(1).

(N) Any person ordering a Washington Nationals identification tag shall pay the fees set forth in § 50-1501.02j(b)(1).

(O) Any person ordering an End Gun Violence identification tag shall pay the fees set forth in § 50-1501.02k(b)(1).

(b)(1) Class A. — For each passenger vehicle, including a motor vehicle classified by the Mayor or his or her designated agent as a class F(I) historic motor vehicle which meets the criteria established under § 50-1501.01(10A), except for passenger vehicles licensed under § 47-2829, based upon the manufacturer’s shipping weight, as follows:

Weight Class Registration Fee

Class I (3,499 pounds or less) $ 72

Class II (3,500 — 4,999 pounds) $115

Class III (5,000 pounds or greater) $155

Class IV A new motor vehicle, other than a

motorcycle and motorized bicycle, with an estimated

average miles per gallon (“MPG”) for city driving

at or above 40 MPG, as determined in accordance

with et seq., and published

in the Fuel Economy Guide by the

United States Environmental Protection Agency and

the United States Department of Energy). This provision

shall only apply to the first 2 years of the vehicle’s

registration, after which the vehicle shall be treated

as a Class I, Class II, or Class III, whichever is

applicable.) $ 36

(2) Class B. — For each commercial vehicle, tractor, and passenger carrying vehicle for hire, including vehicles licensed under § 47-2829, based upon the manufacturer’s shipping weight, as follows:

Weight Class Registration Fee

Class I (3,499 pounds or less) $125

Class II (3,500 — 4,999 pounds) $160

Class III (5,000 — 6,999 pounds) $220

Class IV (7,000 — 9,999 pounds) $300

Class V (10,000 or greater) $575 plus $25

per each additional

1,000 pounds over

10,000 pound[s]

(3) Class C. — For each trailer, based upon the manufacturer’s shipping weight, as follows:

Weight Class Registration Fee

Class I (1,499 pounds or less) $50

Class II (1,500 — 3,499 pounds) $125

Class III (3,500 — 4,999 pounds) $250

Class IV (5,000 — 6,999 pounds) $400

Class V (7,000 — 9,999 pounds) $500

Class VI (10,000 pounds or greater) $500 plus $50

per each additional

1,000 pounds over

10,000 pounds.

(4) Class D. — For each motorcycle, $52.

(5) Class E. — For each motor-driven cycle, $30.

(6) Class F. — For each motor vehicle classified by the Mayor or his or her designated agent as a class F(II) historic motor vehicle which meets the criteria established under § 50-1501.01(11), $25.

(7) Class G. — For dealer’s identification tags, dealer transport identification tags, and manufacturer identification tags, per tag, $75.

(8) Class H. — For each motor vehicle propelled by fuel not subject to taxation under Chapter 23 of Title 47, and motor vehicles propelled by any means other than motor fuels as defined in said chapter, double the fees provided in this subsection for classes A through D.

(b-1) Non-resident taxi and limousine driver vehicle registration. — In addition to any fees that may be due under any other statute or regulation, a driver who was exempted from the residency requirements to register a vehicle within the District of Columbia under § 50-1501.02(c)(5)(B) shall be charged an additional fee of $100.

(c) The Mayor may prorate the fee for registration by an owner or dealer if the registration is issued by the Mayor for a period not to exceed 23 months.

(d) The proceeds from fees payable under this chapter shall be paid into the General Fund of the District of Columbia as established by the Revenue Funds Availability Act of 1975, effective January 22, 1976 (D.C. Law 1-42; 22 DCR 6318); provided, that:

(1) The fees collected under subsection (b-1) of this section shall be paid into the Out-of-State Vehicle Registration Special Fund established by § 50-1501.03a;

(2) The fees collected for Anacostia River Commemorative License Plates shall be deposited in the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund established by § 8-102.05(a);

(3) The fees collected for veterans’ motor vehicle identification tags under § 50-1501.02a shall be deposited in the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund established by § 49-1004;

(4) The fees collected for women veteran identification tags shall be deposited in the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund, established by § 49-1004;

(5) The fees collected for bicycle awareness identification tags shall be deposited in the Vision Zero Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Fund, established by § 50-921.20;

(6) The fees collected for "We Demand Statehood" identification tags shall be deposited in the New Columbia Statehood Fund, established by § 1-129.32;

(7) The fees collected for arts and humanities motor-vehicle identification tags shall be deposited into the Arts and Humanities Enterprise Fund, established by § 39-205.01;

(8) The fees collected for breast cancer awareness identification tags under § 50-1501.02f shall be deposited in the Community Health Care Financing Fund, established by § 7-1931;

(9) The fees collected for parks and recreation identification tags under § 50-1501.02g shall be deposited into the Recreation Enterprise Fund, established by § 10-303;

(10) The fees collected for the Washington Capitals identification tags under § 50-1501.02h shall be deposited into the General Fund of the District of Columbia;

(11) The fees collected for the Washington Mystics identification tags under § 50-1501.02i shall be deposited into the General Fund of the District of Columbia;

(12) The fees collected for the Washington Nationals identification tags under § 50-1501.02j shall be deposited into the General Fund of the District of Columbia; and

(13) The fees collected for the End Gun Violence identification tags under § 50-1501.02k shall be deposited in the Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Fund, established by § 7-2413.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subchapter, special equipment mounted on a motor vehicle or trailer and not used primarily for the transportation of persons or property shall be taxed as tangible personal property as provided by law. For the purpose of determining the fees authorized by subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(2) and subsections (b)(3) and (b)(8) of this section, the weight of special equipment taxed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (e) shall be excluded in computing the weight of the vehicle or trailer on which it is mounted.

(f) No annual motor vehicle registration fee shall be required for a noncommercial motor vehicle owned by any veteran who has been classified by the United States Veterans Administration as having a total and permanent disability as a result of a service incurred or aggravated condition; provided, that no more than 1 such vehicle per qualified veteran shall receive this fee exemption.

(g) The Mayor shall direct the Director of the Department of Transportation to design and provide application forms for the exemption provided in subsection (f) of this section. The application shall be accompanied by a statement that the veteran has been classified as having a total and permanent disability by the Veterans Administration so as to meet the requirements of this subsection, and that such disability is the result of a service incurred or aggravated condition.

(h) To synchronize inspection and registration due dates, the Mayor may declare that a vehicle’s inspection or registration shall expire prior to the date originally established; provided, that the Mayor shall reduce the fee for the vehicle’s next registration or inspection renewal by a percentage equal to the percentage of the reduction of the original time period.

(i) The Mayor may require a 2 year registration period for any registrant.

(j) The Mayor may refund any portion of the registration fee if the registrant does not maintain the registration for the entire registration period established.

(k) The Mayor may allow any person to pay registration fees in installments, as determined by the Mayor.

(l) The Mayor may charge an additional fine of $100 for any motor vehicle whose inspection or registration is not renewed by the expiration date, unless the owner surrenders the tags on or before that date.

(Aug. 17, 1937, 50 Stat. 681, ch. 690, title IV, § 3; May 16, 1938, 52 Stat. 359, ch. 223, § 4; July 17, 1939, 53 Stat. 1046, ch. 313, § 2; Sept. 8, 1950, 64 Stat. 793, ch. 921, §§ 4, 5, 6; May 18, 1954, 68 Stat. 112, title VI, ch. 218, §§ 602, 603, 604; Sept. 2, 1957, 71 Stat. 598, Pub. L. 85-273, §§ 1, 2; Sept. 6, 1960, 74 Stat. 816, Pub. L. 86-716, §§ 1-3; Oct. 31, 1969, 83 Stat. 174, Pub. L. 91-106, title IV, § 402; Oct. 21, 1975, D.C. Law 1-23, title I, § 101, 22 DCR 2091; Jan. 22, 1976, D.C. Law 1-42, § 6, 22 DCR 6317; June 15, 1976, D.C. Law 1-70, title I, § 101, 23 DCR 533; April 7, 1977, D.C. Law 1-110, § 5, 23 DCR 8740; April 19, 1977, D.C. Law 1-124, title I, § 101, 23 DCR 8749; Feb. 25, 1978, D.C. Law 2-41, § 2, 24 DCR 3629; Mar. 16, 1978, D.C. Law 2-55, §§ 2, 3, 5, 24 DCR 5424; Mar. 16, 1978, D.C. Law 2-60, § 2, 24 DCR 5778; Apr. 3, 1982, D.C. Law 4-93, § 3, 29 DCR 749; Mar. 10, 1983, D.C. Law 4-206, § 4, 30 DCR 193; June 22, 1983, D.C. Law 5-14, § 802, 30 DCR 2632; Aug. 17, 1991, D.C. Law 9-30, § 2(b), 38 DCR 4215; Mar. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 9-239, § 2, 40 DCR 625; June 5, 2003, D.C. Law 14-307, § 1705(b), 49 DCR 11664; Apr. 8, 2005, D.C. Law 15-307, §§ 401(b), 501, 52 DCR 1700; June 16, 2006, D.C. Law 16-129, § 3, 53 DCR 4716; Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-279, § 403(b), 54 DCR 903; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-305, § 78, 53 DCR 6198; Mar. 26, 2008, D.C. Law 17-130, § 2(b), 55 DCR 1655; Aug. 16, 2008, D.C. Law 17-219, § 6007, 55 DCR 7598; Mar. 20, 2009, D.C. Law 17-315, § 2(b), 56 DCR 203; Sept. 23, 2009, D.C. Law 18-55, § 9(b)(1), 56 DCR 5703; Mar. 12, 2011, D.C. Law 18-309, § 2(b), 57 DCR 12389; Apr. 27, 2013, D.C. Law 19-290, § 6(b), 60 DCR 2343; Feb. 18, 2017, D.C. Law 21-212, § 2(b), 63 DCR 15326; Apr. 15, 2017, D.C. Law 21-279, § 2(e), 64 DCR 966; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 2072(b), 65 DCR 9388; Nov. 27, 2018, D.C. Law 22-185, § 2(c), 65 DCR 11404; Mar. 16, 2021, D.C. Law 23-234, § 2(b), 68 DCR 001133.)

1981 Ed., § 40-104.

1973 Ed., § 40-103.

This section is referenced in § 8-102.07, § 9-1111.15, § 50-1501.02, § 50-1503.01, and § 50-2201.03.

D.C. Law 14-307, in subsec. (b), substituted “$72” for “$55” and substituted “$115” for “$88” in par. (1)(A), and substituted “$52” for “$30” in par. (4).

D.C. Law 15-307 added subsec. (a)(3); rewrote subsecs. (b)(1), (2), and (3); in subsec. (c), substituted “23” for “11”; and added subsecs. (h), (i), (j), and (k).

The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-290 substituted “motor-driven cycle” for “motorized bicycle” in (b)(5).

Department of Transportation, powers and duties, see § 50-2201.03.

District of Columbia General Fund, see § 47-131.

Motor fuel tax, see § 47-2301 et seq.

Motor vehicle exhaust emissions inspections, collection and allocation of fees, see §§ 50-1101 and 50-1102.

Motor vehicle operators’ permits, fees, see § 50-1401.01.

Multiaxle vehicles designed for auto-unloading, annual hauling permit fees, see § 6-703.01.

National Capital Region Transportation, revenues allocated to the Metrorail/Metrobus Account, see § 9-1111.15.

Taxation of personal property, exemption for motor vehicles and trailers, see § 47-1508.

According to the Office of the Budget Director, D.C. Law 23-234 is currently funded. Therefore, this section has been implemented.

Applicability of D.C. Law 23-234: § 4 of D.C. Law 23-234 provided that the change made to this section by § 2(b) of D.C. Law 23-234 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2072(b) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2072(b) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1705(b) of Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Support Amendment Emergency Act of 2002 (D.C. Act 14-544, December 4, 2002, 49 DCR 11700).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1705(b) of the Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Support Amendment Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2003 (D.C. Act 15-27, February 24, 2003, 50 DCR 2151).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1705(b) of Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Support Amendment Second Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2003 (D.C. Act 15-103, June 20, 2003, 50 DCR 5499).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 202(3) of Prohibition on the Reckless Operation of Recreational Motor Vehicles Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-462, June 23, 2004, 51 DCR 6750).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Low-Emissions Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption Emergency Amendment Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-239, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 258).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Low-Emissions Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-324, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2574).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see §§ 2(b) and 4 of Non-Resident Taxi Drivers Registration Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-58, June 21, 2007, 54 DCR 6599).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see §§ 2(c) and 4 of Non-Resident Taxi Drivers Registration Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-58, June 21, 2007, 54 DCR 6599).

For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 106(b) of Omnibus Budget Support Temporary Act of 1991 (D.C. Law 9-19, June 21, 1991, law notification 38 DCR 5786).

For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Low-Emissions Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption Temporary Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Law 16-88, April 4, 2006, law notification 53 DCR 3347).

For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2(b) of Non-Resident Taxi Drivers Registration Temporary Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Law 17-29, October 18, 2007, law notification 54 DCR 10699).

The Revenue Funds Availability Act of 1975, referred to in (d), is the Act of January 22, 1976, D.C. Law 1-42.

Section 3 of D.C. Law 18-309 provided: “Sec. 3. Applicability: This act shall apply 6 months after its effective date.”