The DC Trip Permit is an authorization issued by the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) for commercial carriers whose vehicles are not enrolled in the International Registration Plan. It allows buses and trucks to make short-term trips through Washington, DC without completing full IRP registration. Each permit is valid for six consecutive days from the date of issue and costs $50.00 per vehicle.
Any operator running a commercial bus or truck that is not registered under the IRP must obtain a trip permit before entering Washington, DC for commercial operations. This includes independent owner-operators making a one-time delivery, freight carriers completing a short regional route, and transport companies that have not yet enrolled their fleet in the IRP program. Out-of-state carriers whose vehicles are apportioned in another jurisdiction but not in DC also fall under this requirement.
Before filling out the form, gather the following details. You will need your company or operator name, mailing address, and phone number, as well as a federal or state carrier identification number. For the vehicle, you will need the license plate number and state of issue, vehicle identification number (VIN), axle configuration, and maximum registered gross weight. If you are making a single commercial trip, note the origin, destination, and planned travel dates.
The permit fee is $50.00 per vehicle. Accepted payment methods include money orders, personal or business checks made payable to the DC Treasurer, and major credit cards. The DC DMV does not accept cash at the processing office, so select and prepare your payment method before submitting the request. If multiple vehicles need a permit for the same trip, a separate form and fee applies to each.
After the DC DMV processes your request, you may pick up the approved permit in person at the DMV office or request delivery by express courier. For urgent commercial trips, select the expedited courier option and include the shipping fee with your submission. The physical permit must be kept in the vehicle at all times during operations in Washington, DC and must be presented during any roadside inspection or DMV audit.
Running a commercial vehicle in Washington, DC without a valid trip permit is a violation of DC transportation law. Providing false or inaccurate information on the application may result in fines, permit revocation, or further legal action under DC Code. Ensure all details on the form are accurate and complete before submitting. For vehicles requiring other temporary or registration documents, see our 7-Day Vehicle Permit Form or the Vehicle Registration Form.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Dc Trip Permit Form |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Permit duration | 6 consecutive days |
| Fee | $50.00 per vehicle |
| Other names | dcdmvtrip permit, dcdmv trip permit for, dc trip permit, dc trip permit form |