CDL Requirements in Washington (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)

Washington issues CDLs through the Department of Licensing (DOL). You hold a regular Washington license, pass the general knowledge test for a $40 Commercial Learner's Permit, hold it 14 days while completing training, then take a three-part skills test in a truck you supply — at a DOL office or with an independent third-party examiner. The skills test itself costs $175, and a CDL runs on a 6- or 8-year cycle.

Washington handles CDLs through the Department of Licensing. The path is standard — a regular license first, a $40 Commercial Learner's Permit, a 14-day hold, training, then a three-part skills test — but the state layers on its own registered training-provider system with hour requirements above the federal ELDT minimum (160 hours for Class A).

State fees are moderate: $40 for the CLP, $35 for the knowledge test, $175 for the skills test, and CDL issuance of about $163 (6-year) or $217 (8-year). The bigger cost is usually tuition, which runs higher here because of the state's training hours, plus a DOT physical and — for hazmat — a TSA fingerprinting fee.

Two things catch newcomers out: you must bring your own unloaded, hazmat-free truck to the skills test, and Washington has suspended non-domicile CDL processing and testing entirely, so out-of-state applicants should confirm eligibility with DOL before starting.

Eligibility and documents in Washington

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• A current, valid Washington driver license
• A Social Security number (SSA-issued)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
• Self-certification of your driving type plus a valid DOT medical examiner's certificate
• See DOL's CDL-approved documents list for acceptable proof of identity and residency

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the required knowledge tests: General Knowledge (all applicants); Combination Vehicles (Class A); Air Brakes (if your vehicle has them); 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. Washington runs its own registered Training Provider system (under WAC 308-100) with state-mandated hours that exceed the federal minimum — for example, Class A requires 160 total hours. Only a Washington-registered provider can certify that you met the training requirement. WA-registered providers separately report to the federal FMCSA Training Provider Registry, but confirm the exact verification path with DOL, as its public pages describe state certification rather than a federal-registry query. ELDT is not required just to get a CLP. Drivers who held a valid CDL or the relevant endorsement before February 7, 2022 are grandfathered.
3. Hold your permit 14 days. Federal rules require at least 14 days before the skills test.
4. Pass the skills test. It has 3 parts: Vehicle (pre-trip) inspection, Basic control skills, On-road driving test. You can test at a DOL office or with an independent third-party examiner. Either way you must contact scheduling first — DOL examiner scheduling is 360-902-3785, and third-party examiners should be scheduled at least 3 days ahead.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). Washington offers a choice of 6-year or 8-year CDL terms (the fee tables list both; DOL does not name one as the single default). After passing all three skills components you wait 24 hours before DOL issues the CDL. Note: Washington has suspended all non-domicile CDL processing and testing — a current state-specific policy to check before applying if you are not a WA resident.

Medical certification in Washington

Self-certify your category before you get a CLP. Your exam must be done by an examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, who submits your Medical Examiner's Certificate to the National Registry, which transmits it to DOL. You can self-certify and submit documents through DOL's online CDL medical portal, though some changes still require an in-office visit. (DOL describes electronic transmission consistent with the June 23, 2025 National Registry II rule but does not state that specific date — confirm with DOL.)

If your card lapses: Washington does not allow a CMV operator to be exempt from holding a current medical certificate. If your card lapses, your CDL is downgraded to a non-commercial license.

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 Washington

Core state fees are the $40 CLP, $35 knowledge test, $175 skills test, and the 6- or 8-year issuance. Washington's state training-hour requirements exceed the federal ELDT minimum, so tuition can run higher than in other states. Hazmat adds a TSA/IdentoGO threat-assessment fee that DOL does not publish (confirm with TSA).

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Washington Third-party testing allowed

Washington allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. DOL publishes no official wait times. You must wait 14 calendar days after CLP issuance before the skills test, and 24 hours after passing before the CDL is issued.

Your test vehicle: You must supply your own CMV of the class you are testing for. It must be safe, unloaded, and free of all hazardous material; if you borrow it, bring a letter from the owner authorizing its use for the test.

Endorsements available in Washington

Washington 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 — Washington is NOT a TSA self-managed state. You apply for the TSA Security Threat Assessment online at tsa.gov (or 855-347-8371) and are fingerprinted at a TSA/IdentoGO enrollment center — not at DOL. TSA notifies DOL directly. You also pass the hazmat knowledge test in person and, for first-time H, complete hazmat training from a WA-approved provider. Start the background check well ahead (processing can take up to 45 days).
• NTanker — Tank vehicles (liquid/gas).
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat.
• PPassenger — Vehicles designed for 16 or more people including the driver.
• SSchool Bus — School bus of any size; the cheaper $100 skills test (two attempts) applies. Requires ELDT for first-timers.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers.

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. Washington applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework; no additional WA-only disqualifying offenses were confirmed on the DOL pages reviewed. Two WA-specific points: applicants with a lifetime license disqualification cannot get a WA CDL, and Washington has suspended non-domicile CDL processing and testing entirely.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

Washington can waive both the training requirement and the knowledge and skills tests for qualifying service members. You must be a WA resident with at least 2 years of CMV driving experience in a military job, and be currently active or within 12 months of an honorable discharge. Submit the waiver application (or the federal FMCSA form signed by your commanding officer) with your DD214/NGB22 to cdlcompliance@dol.wa.gov.

Washington CDL FAQ