Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerWashington CDL Prep
Washington CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Washington commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Washington CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Washington
In Washington, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Washington Department of Licensing. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Washington age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Washington Department of Licensing.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Washington CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Washington Department of Licensing and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Washington. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Washington Department of Licensing issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Washington Department of Licensing, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Washington Department of Licensing testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerWashington CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Washington CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Washington.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Washington?
Yes for most first-time Class A or B applicants and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. Finish required training so providers can submit completion before skills testing (or before the hazmat knowledge test). Eligible military applicants with qualifying CMV experience may waive training and testing under Washington's military experience waiver program.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Washington?
Yes when your self-certification category requires it. Self-certify your commerce type and have a National Registry examiner upload your Medical Examiner's Certificate. DOL will not issue a CLP or CDL until required medical documents are on the registry. Intrastate drivers may qualify for an Intrastate Medical Waiver; federal exemptions and SPE certificates must also be uploaded by FMCSA.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Washington?
Make an appointment at a driver licensing office. Bring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, your Social Security number, a valid Washington driver license, and a list of states where you held a license in the last 10 years. Complete medical self-certification and confirm your examiner has uploaded any required Medical Examiner's Certificate to the National Registry. See DOL's CDL approved documents list for acceptable ID.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Washington?
Yes. Complete a TSA HME Threat Assessment (a TWIC assessment does not count), finish a Washington-approved hazmat training course for a first-time endorsement, and pass the in-person hazmat knowledge test at a driver licensing office. Assessments can take up to 45 days. The HME is valid for five years, and your CDL cannot expire later than the TSA clearance.
How much do Washington CDL permits and tests cost?
A commercial learner's permit is $40 and is valid for 180 days (renewable once). The CDL knowledge test fee is $35. Skills tests are about $175 ($100 for school bus endorsement skills). Check DOL's fee schedule for license issuance and endorsement costs.
Does Washington issue non-domicile CDLs?
Not currently. DOL has stopped processing all non-domicile CLP and CDL transactions (originals, renewals, upgrades, duplicates, and replacements) and has stopped knowledge and skills testing for non-domiciled drivers. Watch the DOL CDL page for updates.
Can military members waive Washington CDL tests?
Possibly. Washington residents who are active duty or within 12 months of honorable discharge, with two or more years of military CMV driving experience, may apply for a knowledge and/or skills test waiver. Submit the Military CDL Knowledge Test or Knowledge and Skills Test Waiver Application to [email protected] with DD-214/NGB-22 and operator ID documentation.
How long are Washington CDL skills test scores valid?
Completed skills test scores are valid for 180 days from the first passed segment (vehicle inspection). You must get your CDL issued within that window, and you must wait at least 24 hours after passing before your CDL issuance appointment. Banked skills scores are not valid if you renew your CLP.
Does PrepCDL cover Washington?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Washington CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.