Washington DC CDL Eligibility
DC DMV ensures the safety of commercial drivers through certain requirements for a Washington DC CDL. To get a DC DMV CDL:
- You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid NCDL (non commercial Washington DC driver's license).
- You must be a US citizen or non-US citizen with a valid Permanent Resident Card.
- You must provide proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent residency.
- You must provide a 10-year driver history report. You will have to request this report from the District of
Columbia department of motor vehicles in any state that has issued you a license in the past 10 years.
DC DMV checks driving history in all 50 states.
NOTE: Washington DC CDL learner permits may only have the following endorsements (with additional restrictions): S - School Bus, N - Tank and P - Passenger.
You are
not eligible to apply for a DC DMV CDL if you:
- Have a revoked or suspended NCDL (non commercial Washington DC driver's license).
- Have certain medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes
- Have a certain criminal felony conviction within the last 3 years (if you would like to work as a school bus driver)
- Have a scheduled hearing on moving violation ticket(s)
- Have an unresolved citation (such as tickets or judgment) in another jurisdiction
- Are a non-US citizen who does not possess a valid Permanent Resident Card
NOTE: If you do not have proof of lawful permanent residency in the US, but you are legally in the country under a program approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), then in accordance with federal law, DC DMV will issue you a CDL that is marked as non-domiciled. You must provide proof of your legal USCIS status.
Disrict of Columbia CDL DMV Fees
- Commercial Driver Learner Permit - $78
- Commercial Driver License (First-Time and Renewal) - $117
- Commercial Driver License Downgrade - $20
- Commercial Driver License Duplicate - $20
- Commercial Driver License Endorsement - $20
- Commercial Driver License Knowledge Test - $10 per test
- Commercial Driver License Road Skills Test - $10
Washington DC CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
Washington DC Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE Washington DC CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
Washington DC
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which DC CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Washington DC CDL and Required Tests
CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
Washington DC CDL Endorsements
Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the Washington DC CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Washington DC CDL and in the free Washington DC CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
Washington DC CDL written exams to get your Washington DC CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The Washington DC CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .