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

Source review dated October 12, 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.

This guide combines federal rules with dated state research. Read the review notes before paying fees or booking a test.

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. 1

   Check eligibility, documents, and medical qualification

   Choose the CDL class and endorsements for your vehicle. Hold the required regular license and bring Washington identity, residency, and Social Security documents. Self-certify your operating category and complete a DOT physical before the permit if that category requires medical certification.

2. 2

   Pass the knowledge tests and obtain your CLP

   Take general knowledge and the vehicle/endorsement tests that apply. ELDT theory may be taken earlier, but federal rules do not require it before the CLP. A first-time hazmat applicant must complete hazmat theory before the hazmat knowledge test; hazmat is not issued on a CLP.

3. 3

   Complete required training and practice during the permit hold

   Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. Use a qualified supervising driver for public-road practice. First-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements require applicable theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT from registered providers. The appropriate CLP is needed for public-road training. State training requirements may add to the federal baseline.

4. 4

   Pass the skills test in the right vehicle

   Confirm ELDT completion is recorded, arrange the test and a representative vehicle, then complete vehicle inspection, basic control, and road driving. The vehicle and transmission you test in can restrict your license.

5. 5

   Complete issuance and maintain your qualifications

   Pay the applicable Washington issuance fees and confirm the correct class, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration. Keep your medical status current when required and follow the agency’s renewal instructions.

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 adds it to your driver record. DOL also accepts CDL medical documents through its online portal, by email ([email protected]), fax, or mail to the CDL Medical Unit, and some changes still require an in-office visit; allow 7-10 business days for record updates. (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

These are separate transaction types, not charges that every applicant pays. Renewal, replacement, endorsement, and retest fees are alternatives or extras. Amounts are from the dated research; check current official fees before paying.

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

Testing access: State / approved third parties. Official testing instructions.

Washington allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, with availability and fees set by the provider. 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. Some also apply in a personal vehicle; vehicle-specific conditions matter. 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.

The offenses that trigger a disqualification, the length of each, and the federal exceptions are listed once in our CDL disqualifications guide instead of repeating the table here. Check the review notes for any Washington-specific additions we could not confirm.

Military skills-test waiver

Check the temporary July 30–October 29, 2026 federal eligibility extension and ask the state whether it participates.

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 [email protected].

Washington CDL FAQ