Via D.C. DMV.

In November, the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles changed its policy on issuing driver’s licenses. Instead of handing over a laminated, permanent license at a DMV facility, people are now given a temporary paper print-out and are mailed the permanent version within two weeks.

The DMV says this will cut down on fraud. But a PoPville reader complained today that, until she started crying, a car rental agency would not allow her to rent a card with the temporary license.

One of the 311 operators I spoke to said they’ve been getting a lot of complaints from people experiencing the same problem. And a customer who watched the ordeal unfold told me his friend had the same issue last week. So if anyone out there does want to rent, they might want to hold off on converting their out-of-state license.

A D.C. DMV spokesperson says they have “notified many federal and state agencies as well as businesses about the new temporary driver license. Additionally, customers are encouraged to keep their hole-punched ID and show as needed with the temporary license.”

But as the DMV’s website explains, they can’t force businesses to accept the temporary licenses. To the question, “Will businesses accept the temporary document as identification for cashing checks, buying alcohol, tobacco, etc…?” the DMV responded:

This has not been reported to be an issue in other states where central issuance exists. However, similar to normal DMV credentials, each business may decide if the temporary document will be accepted.

The same goes for government agencies, which “will independently decide whether or not to accept the temporary document as identification.” As for the hole-punched ID: The DMV says “you must destroy [it] once you receive your credential in the mail.”