D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-404
If the Director is not satisfied as to the ownership of a vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the Director may issue a non-negotiable certificate of title.
A non-negotiable certificate shall contain a description of the vehicle and other pertinent identifying information required by the Director and shall conform as nearly as possible to the requirements of § 403, except that the certificate form shall not contain any provision for assignment and warranty of title by the owner or any other person, and the word "NONTRANSFERABLE" shall be inscribed clearly and in large type across the face of the instrument.
Upon receipt of proof of ownership satisfactory to the Director that the owner of the vehicle is entitled to a regular certificate, and upon surrender of the non-negotiable certificate, the Director may issue a certificate to the owner.
Whenever an owner of a vehicle for which a certificate is outstanding gives a lien upon the vehicle and delivers the certificate to the Recorder for the purpose of placing that lien on the certificate, and the Recorder determines that the certificate does not provide sufficient space for the Recorder to place upon its face any or all of the liens against the vehicle, the Recorder shall deliver the certificate to the Director who shall issue a supplementary certificate without fee to the Recorder.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-404