DISTRICT BRIEFING

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

License, Car Inspection Fees Increase

The cost to renew a driver's license and get a car inspected rises in the District starting today.

The license fee increases $5 to $44. The inspection fee rises to $35, up from $25. Inspection stickers for new vehicles will be valid for four years instead of two. Driver's licenses will be valid for eight years instead of five. Vehicles that exceed 40 miles per gallon will be exempt from the excise tax and will be subject to a reduced registration fee of $36.

Lucinda Babers, director of the Department of Motor Vehicles, said that the inspection fee had remained steady since 2001 and that the license fee had not increased since 2003.

"Customers are receiving a cost benefit for the extended eight-year license period, which amounts to $5.50 per year versus $7.80 per year for five years," she said in a statement.

In addition, residents can perform additional tasks online: get e-mail renewal notices, determine the status of out-of-state title requests, and request temporary driver's licenses and identification cards.

-- Robert E. Pierre

SUPERIOR COURT

Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting Youth

A Southeast Washington man pleaded guilty yesterday to second-degree murder while armed in the slaying of a 16-year-old male.

Daniel Richard Proctor Jr., 21, pleaded guilty just before he was to stand trial in D.C. Superior Court on charges stemming from the killing of Cequawn Brown. Prosecutors said Proctor shot the youth in the back of the head during an argument Sept. 25, 2006, at 53rd Street and Astor Place SE. After the youth fell to the ground, Proctor stood over him and fired a second shot into his back, prosecutors said.