Washington · DOL

How to get your CDL permit in Washington

In Washington you book an appointment at a DOL licensing office that offers testing and pass your CDL knowledge tests, offered in four languages. The permit costs $40, lasts 180 days, and can be renewed once.

Last checked September 26, 2026 against official DOL sources

Start the free Washington permit classroom Official Washington CDL manual

Minimum age: 18 (in Washington only) · 21 to cross state lines
Permit fee: $40
Permit valid for: 180 days, renewable once
Wait before road test: 14 days
Knowledge test language: English + 3 other languages
Passing score: 80%

Step by step

1Hold a valid Washington driver license and be at least 18.
2Study the Washington CDL Guide for your class and endorsements.
3Book an appointment at a DOL licensing office that offers CDL testing.
4Apply, self-certify your commerce type, and pay the permit and knowledge test fees.
5Pass the General Knowledge test and any class or endorsement tests you need.
6Practice for at least 14 calendar days with a CDL holder of the right class.
7Make sure a valid medical certificate is on file, and finish ELDT with a registered provider.
8Take your skills test with DOL or a DOL-authorized third-party examiner.

What to bring

Your current, valid Washington driver license
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
Your Social Security number
Payment for the $40 permit fee and $35 knowledge test fee

Medical card

You self-certify your commerce type when you apply for the permit, and you can change it later online or at an office. A valid medical certificate, sent through FMCSA's National Registry, must be on file before your skills test.

Fees

Commercial learner's permit	$40
CDL knowledge testCovers one try at each knowledge test within 90 days.	$35
Skills test (truck or passenger)Same fee with DOL or a third-party examiner.	$175
Skills test (school bus)Includes 2 attempts.	$100

Fees change. Confirm the current amount with DOL before you go.

The tests you'll take

General Knowledge (everyone)
Air Brakes (if your truck has air brakes)
Combination Vehicles (Class A)
Endorsements as needed

Testing in Washington

Knowledge tests come in English, Spanish, Russian and Serbo-Croatian. Interpreters aren't allowed, and the skills test is English only.
Passing means 40 of 50 on General Knowledge, 16 of 20 on most endorsements, and 24 of 30 on HazMat.
Tests are given only at DOL offices by appointment, not online.
If you fail a skills test, wait 3 days to retest, unless the failure was due to vehicle equipment.
Wait 24 hours after passing your skills test before going to an office to get your CDL.

Study for these tests in the Washington classroom

Good to know in Washington

Renew your permit within 30 days of expiration to avoid retaking knowledge tests. Renewing wipes out any banked skills test scores.
Skills test scores are good for 180 days.
Switching skills examiners means paying a new fee, and scores don't transfer.
Before paying a CDL school, check that it is still listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. Thousands of providers were removed in 2025–2026.

Non-domiciled applicants

DOL has stopped processing all non-domiciled CLP and CDL transactions.

Confirm with DOL before you go

We couldn't confirm these from official sources, so we left them out rather than guess:

What residency documents DOL requires — check with DOL before you go.
How long you must wait after a failed knowledge test.
The vision standard for commercial applicants.
Whether you need a REAL ID or enhanced license for a CDL.

Federal rules that apply in every state(show)

Age: You can get a CLP at 18, but until you turn 21 you can only drive a commercial vehicle inside your own state. Hauling hazmat requires you to be 21.
Knowledge tests: Everyone takes General Knowledge. Class A adds Combination Vehicles, and anyone driving a truck with air brakes takes Air Brakes. You need at least 80% on each test.
14-day wait: You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills (road) test. Some states make you wait longer.
Driving on a CLP: A CDL holder with the right class and endorsements must sit in the front seat whenever you drive. Hazmat is never allowed on a CLP. With a passenger or school bus permit you can't carry passengers, and with a tank permit the tank must be empty.
Entry-Level Driver Training: You must finish ELDT with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before your Class A or B skills test. You do not need it to get the permit itself.
Medical card: You self-certify the kind of driving you will do. Most new drivers are 'non-excepted interstate' and need a DOT physical from a certified medical examiner, who now sends the results to your state electronically.
Clearinghouse check: Before issuing a CLP, your state checks FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. A 'prohibited' status blocks the permit until return-to-duty is complete.

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Short lessons with diagrams, a quick check after each one, and a practice test for every permit exam Washington gives. Free.

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Official sources

This page is a study aid, not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with Washington State Department of Licensing. Rules and fees change, so always check with DOL before you apply.