Washington, DC CDL Practice Test and Test Prep (2026)
District of Columbia gives CDL tests through District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). Here is what you will be tested on, which of our practice quizzes match each test, and what the skills test involves in District of Columbia.
Knowledge tests for a District of Columbia permit
- General Commercial / General Knowledge (all applicants) — practice General Knowledge (60 questions)
- Combination Vehicles (Class A) — practice Combination Vehicles (30 questions)
- Air Brakes (Class A and B) — practice Air Brakes (40 questions)
- Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T)
Permit minimum age: 18 (in-state driving) or 21 (interstate). Holding period before the skills test: 30 days. Permit validity: 365 days.
District of Columbia endorsement tests and practice
- Hazmat (H) practice
District of Columbia notes for this endorsement
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.
- Tanker (N) practice
District of Columbia notes for this endorsement
Tank; knowledge test only, no road skills test.
- Passenger (P) practice
District of Columbia notes for this endorsement
Passenger (16+ persons). Allowed on a CLP with restrictions.
- School bus (S) practice
District of Columbia notes for this endorsement
School bus. Allowed on a CLP with restrictions; a felony conviction can bar school bus drivers.
- Doubles/triples (T) practice
District of Columbia notes for this endorsement
Double/triple trailers; knowledge test only, no road skills test.
The District of Columbia skills test
Components: Vehicle (pre-trip) inspection, Basic vehicle control, On-road driving test.
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.
Where and how to book: 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.
Waits and retests: 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.
Practice the inspection part with our pre-trip inspection guide. Research dated 2026-10-12; confirm testing details with District of Columbia.
All practice tests
- General Knowledge (60 questions)
- Air Brakes (40 questions)
- Combination Vehicles (30 questions)
- Hazardous Materials (H) (30 questions)
- Tank Vehicles (N) (25 questions)
- Passenger (P) (25 questions)
- School Bus (S) (25 questions)
- Doubles/Triples (T) (20 questions)
Ready to apply? See the full District of Columbia CDL requirementsor build your District of Columbia checklist.