CDL Requirements in District of Columbia (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)

The District of Columbia issues CDLs through the DC DMV. You hold a regular DC license, pass the $10-per-test knowledge exams for a $78 Commercial Learner Permit, complete a free Human Trafficking Awareness training, hold the permit 30 days (stricter than the federal 14), then take the road skills test in a truck you supply — at the Deanwood CDL office, since DC has no third-party CDL testing. The 8-year CDL is $117.

The District of Columbia issues CDLs through the DC DMV. The path is standard — a regular license first, knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner Permit, a hold period, ELDT training, then a road skills test — but DC layers on a few local rules: a required (free) Human Trafficking Awareness training before the CLP, and a 30-day CLP hold that's longer than the federal 14-day minimum.

DMV fees run about $235 for a Class A with no endorsements: a $78 CLP, $10 per knowledge test, a $10 skills test, and a $117 CDL valid 8 years. Since December 15, 2025 a 2.5% service fee applies to card payments. Hazmat adds a $20 DC endorsement fee plus the TSA background check, and you'll budget separately for ELDT tuition and a DOT physical.

There's no third-party CDL testing in DC — everyone tests at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office in a vehicle they supply. For hazmat, DC is not a self-managed state, so fingerprinting goes through a TSA/IdentoGO enrollment center before the DMV adds the endorsement.

Eligibility and documents in District of Columbia

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• A valid DC non-commercial driver license (NCDL) that is REAL ID-compliant, or equivalent proof of Social Security number and DC residency
• Proof of identity/lawful status: a valid U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship (U.S. citizens); a valid permanent resident card (non-citizens)
• A completed DOT medical examination by a certified medical examiner
• Human Trafficking Awareness training completion (required before CLP issuance)

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the required knowledge tests: General Commercial / General Knowledge (all applicants); Combination Vehicles (Class A); Air Brakes (Class A and B); Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T).
2. Complete ELDT training. For a first Class A/B CDL or a first hazmat, passenger, or school-bus endorsement, you must train with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. DC DMV relies on the federal FMCSA Training Provider Registry — it verifies that an entry-level driver completed the required training before allowing the driver to test, using the data submitted to the registry. You must use a provider from the federal registry. ELDT is not retroactive — drivers who qualified before February 7, 2022 are grandfathered.
3. Hold your permit 30 days. Federal rules require at least 14 days before the skills test, and District of Columbia requires 30.
4. Pass the skills test. It has 3 parts: Vehicle (pre-trip) inspection, Basic vehicle control, On-road driving test. DC DMV administers CDL road skills tests itself at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office — the third-party road-test program exists only for non-commercial licenses, not CDLs. Schedule by appointment online or by calling 311 / (202) 737-4404, and arrive 15 minutes early.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). A DC CDL is valid 8 years. DC does not itemize the three skills-test components on its own pages, but the federal three-part standard (inspection, basic control, road) applies. Since December 15, 2025, a 2.5% service fee applies to all debit/credit card transactions. Upgrading class or adding endorsements requires the applicable tests plus the $20-per-endorsement fee.

Medical certification in District of Columbia

A DOT medical certification is required, completed by an examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (federal law requires recertification at least every two years). DC DMV no longer accepts DOT medical cards handed in by drivers after June 22, 2025 — as of June 23, 2025, certificates are transmitted electronically through the FMCSA/National Registry II system rather than submitted on paper.

If your card lapses: If your medical certification lapses, your CDL is downgraded. Keep your DOT physical current and recertify on time.

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical card required)
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in District of Columbia

Knowledge tests are $10 each and the road skills test is $10, so most of the DMV cost is the $78 CLP and $117 CDL. Since December 15, 2025 a 2.5% service fee applies to card payments. Hazmat adds a $20 DC endorsement fee plus the TSA threat-assessment fee (about $86.50, paid to TSA — verify the current amount). Budget separately for ELDT tuition and a DOT physical.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in District of Columbia State-administered testing

District of Columbia administers CDL skills tests through the state; approved public third-party testing is limited or unavailable. No official typical wait-time figure is published. You must hold the CLP at least 30 calendar days before the first skills test. If you fail once, you wait 3 calendar days; fail twice, 90 calendar days.

Your test vehicle: You must bring and be tested in a vehicle that meets the class and/or endorsement qualifications for the license you want, with valid registration and insurance — DC DMV does not provide one.

Endorsements available in District of Columbia

District of Columbia offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — DC is NOT a TSA self-managed state. Fingerprinting and the Security Threat Assessment are done through the TSA-contracted enrollment agent (IdentoGO/IDEMIA), not DC DMV; you must pass the TSA STA (valid 5 years) before the DMV issues the H endorsement. Enroll via the TSA HME program. The DC endorsement fee is $20, separate from the TSA fee. The H knowledge test does not require a road skills test.
• NTanker — Tank; knowledge test only, no road skills test.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat.
• PPassenger — Passenger (16+ persons). Allowed on a CLP with restrictions.
• SSchool Bus — School bus. Allowed on a CLP with restrictions; a felony conviction can bar school bus drivers.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers; knowledge test only, no road skills test.

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. DC applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 framework. DC-listed eligibility bars include a revoked or suspended license, certain disqualifying medical conditions, felony convictions (specifically barring school bus drivers), and pending moving-violation hearings or unresolved citations. DC also uniquely requires Human Trafficking Awareness training before a CLP is issued (a prerequisite, not a federal disqualifier). No additional DC-code disqualification periods beyond the federal standard were confirmed.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

DC waives the road skills test for active-duty or recently separated (within 90 days) service members whose military role required operating a CMV-equivalent vehicle, for Class A or B. You must be at least 21 with a valid DC NCDL, a U.S. citizen or valid permanent resident, with 2 years of military CMV driving experience and a 2-year clean record, plus commanding-officer certification or a DD214. Knowledge tests (and air brakes for S/P) are still required.

District of Columbia CDL FAQ