Washington · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Washington CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Washington issues CDLs through the Department of Licensing (DOL). Applicants must be 18 for intrastate and 21 for interstate driving, get a $40 commercial learner's permit, complete ELDT, then pass a $35 knowledge test and a $175 skills test administered through DOL-approved third-party testers. Adding the CDL to a Washington license costs $20 plus $17 per year of remaining license validity, and licenses renew on a 6- or 8-year cycle ($163/$217).
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Washington?
Washington licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT (FMCSA-registered provider) since Feb 2022 for new Class A/B and H/P/S endorsement applicants; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H/N/T/P/S. Washington specifics: DOL does not administer CDL skills tests itself, testing is through approved third-party organizations at a flat $175; adding a 'CDL special endorsement' costs $20; transferring an out-of-state CDL costs $50 application + $27/year issuance + $1 technology fee ($213 for 6 years, $267 for 8 years); Washington offers an Enhanced CDL (border-crossing ID) at higher renewal cost. Military skills-test waiver available. No state-mandated training hour minimums found on official pages. CDLs transfer among states under the federal single-license rule rather than formal reciprocity agreements.
What licenses does Washington issue?
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) (dol.wa.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Washington require?
CDL knowledge test. Administered by Washington DOL driver licensing offices offering knowledge testing. Exam fee $35.
CDL skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test). Administered by DOL-approved third-party testing organizations. Exam fee $175.
School bus endorsement skills test (includes 2 attempts). Administered by DOL-approved third-party testing organizations. Exam fee $100.
How much does a Washington CDL truck driver license cost?
Washington sets its fees per license class rather than as one figure for the trade, so no single total would be true of every applicant. The published items are below exactly as the board sets them.
- Application fee$40
- Exam fee$210
- Initial license feeset per license class
- Renewal fee (recurring)$163
Source: fee schedule (dol.wa.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 6 or 8 years (renewal $163 for 6-year or $217 for 8-year; enhanced CDL $205/$273)
Continuing education: None required by the state. DOT medical certificate must be kept current; CDL re-qualification after downgrade costs $35.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship is required or credited toward licensure. Training is via an FMCSA-registered ELDT provider; skills testing is done through third-party testers (often training schools).
How does Washington compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | not published | Statewide |
| Idaho | not published | Statewide |
| Oregon | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before making decisions. Not legal advice.