1. Washington State Commercial Learner's Permit
2. Cdl Learner's Permit Washington State
3. Washington State Cdl Permit Cost

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Washington Learner' Permit In the State of Washington, you will have to be 15 years and 6 months old before you can legally apply for a learner's permit. However, if you present a traffic safety education certificate, then you'll be permitted to get your permit at the age of 15.

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Driving a semi-truck or other powerful, big machine across the country can be a great way to make a living, but in order to do it, you'll need a commercial driver's license (CDL).

Getting one in Washington requires following the licensing process overseen by the WA Department of Licensing (DOL), as well as meeting all national regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

CDL Eligibility Requirements in WA

To be eligible for a Washington commercial driver's license, you need to:

• Have a valid, non-commercial Washington driver's license.
• Be at least:
  • 18 years old to drive within WA only (called intrastatedriving).
  • 21 years old to drive cross-country (called interstate driving).
• Complete an appropriate commercial driver training course for your class of license.

You'll also need to be able to prove your:

• Social Security number (SSN).
• U.S. citizenship OR permanent residency. Examples of acceptable documents include:
  • Your valid birth certificate.
  • An unexpired U.S. passport.
  • A permanent resident card.
    • For a full list of acceptable documents, check out the DOL's identity documents guide.

WA Commercial License Permit

Before you can get a CDL, you'll have to get your Washington CLP—that is, commercial license permit.

When you're ready to kick the process off, schedule an appointment a Department of Licensing office that offers knowledge testing. Call ahead to your preferred location to determine if they are a testing office.

To apply, submit the following:

• Your WA driver's license.
• Proof of citizenship or lawful U.S. status (see the DOL's documents guide for details).
• Applicable medical and self-certification documents (detailed below).
• Payment the proper fees, including:
  • $40 CLP fee.
  • $35 knowledge test fee.
  • Endorsement fees, if applicable.

You'll then take all written knowledge exams for the CDL classification you are applying for, plus those for any endorsements you hope to add to your commercial driver license.

Once all of the above has been completed, you'll officially have your commercial license permit! Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, and you'll be able to renew it once.

Commercial Drivers Practice Tests (CDL)

We offer a series of DMV Practice tests to help you prepare for your Commercial Driver License test. In addition to carefully studying your state's driver handbook, these tests will give you an idea about the types of questions you may see on the actual written test.

• 100 Questions - Unlimited Tests$14.95
• 50 Questions - Unlimited Tests$9.95

CLP Restrictions in Washington

Getting a commercial license permit is a great first step, but you'll have to follow a slightly different set of rules while practicing with it.

You'll have to practice with your commercial license permit for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test to earn your full commercial driver license. If you don't feel ready at that point, it's okay! Your permit will be valid for 180 days, and you'll be able to renew it once

Per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, you must also:

• Stick to public roads only.
• Only drive while accompanied by a licensed commercial driver.

Commercial Driver Training Requirements

The Washington Department of Licensing requires all CDL applicants to take a training course before you can earn your first full commercial driver license.

The amount of training hours you'll need depends on the class of CDL you're applying for. Once you've completed the course, you'll receive a training certificate. You must bring this certificate with you when you apply for your commercial driver's license.

For more information on the specific types of courses you'll need to take and where to sign up, check out the DOL's commercial driver training page.

How to Get Your Washington CDL

Only one step remains before you can claim your WA commercial driver license: the skills exam.

To schedule your test, you'll need to get a skills test form from your local DOL office. After filling it out, the Department of Licensing will assign you a tester and exam date. You will pay your exam fee at this time.*

Keep in mind that you will have to arrange to take the test in the same class of vehicle you hope to operate with your commercial driver's license.

At your appointment, submit your:

• Washington driver's license.
• Commercial license permit.
• CDL Skills Test Results form.
• Medical Examiner's Certificate, if applicable (see below for details).
• Commercial driver training coursecertificate.
• Documents for your testing vehicle—EITHER:
  • Its proof of insurance.
    OR
  • A permission letter from the vehicle's owner.
• Payment for the $250 testing fee.
  • School bus exams are $100.

The exam itself consists of several parts, including the:

• Pre-trip inspection.
• Basic controls test.
• On-road test.

Once you ace your test, you'll have to revisit the DOL office, and bring your:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship/lawful permanent residency.
• Commercial license permit.
• Signed CDL Skills Test Results form.
• Medical Examiner's Certificate, if applicable.
• Commercial driver training certificate.

At this point, you'll be issued your very own Washington State CDL—congratulations!

* NOTE: You can also opt to take the skills exam with a third-party testing company. You will need to pay your exam fee to your chosen tester.

What If I Fail My CDL Exam?

If you don't pass your WA commercial driving skills exam the first time around, it's okay! You'll be able to take the skills exam up to 2 times with the same tester.

You will have to wait a bit to get your second chance, however. Depending on which section you failed, you'll have to wait:

• 3 days, if you failed the pre-trip inspection.
• 3 days, if you failed the basic controls test.
• 7 days, if you failed the on-road test.

CDL Fees in Washington

The Washington Department of Licensing currently charges the following for CDLs and related services:

• Commercial driver license tests:
  • Knowledge test: $35.
  • Skills test: $250.
    • Skills test for school buses: $100
    • Reduced skills test: $225.
• Commercial license permit: $40.
• Endorsements: $10, PLUS $17 for each year remaining on your license.

CDL Medical Requirements

To get a commercial driver license from WA, you'll first need to be deemed physically fit for the job.

The first step toward medical qualification is a process called self-certification, which you will do at the DOL officebefore you get your commercial license permit. This involves stating whether you will:

• Be driving interstate or intrastate.
• Are excepted or non-excepted from carrying a medical form.

How you self-certify will determine the next step you need to take.

You may need to visit a FMCSA-approved physician to help you complete a Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876).

If you need a certificate, you'll have to bring it with you when you:

• Take your skills test.
  AND
• Return to the Department of Licensing to receive your commercial driver license.

Check out the DOL's guide to the WA medical program for more information.

Military CDL Testing Waivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Washington Department of Licensing have teamed up to help military members with commercial driving experience earn their CDL more easily by waiving the skills test.

To qualify, you'll need to:

• Be currently active duty OR have been honorably discharged within the past 12 months.
  AND
• Have at least 2 years of experience operating military commercial vehicles.

To apply, you'll need the following:

• A completed:
  • Application for Military Skills Test Waiver (Form CDL-SK TST WVR).
  • Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876).
  • Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination (Form 649-F).
• Proof of your U.S. citizenship/legal permanent residency.
  • Check out the DOL's list of acceptable documents.
• Your current military identification OR your discharge papers.

Bring all of the above with you when applying for your CLP, and ask about the next steps in the process.

NOTE: Eligible applicants will still need to pass all written exams and pay all applicable fees.

Forms

CDL-SK TST WVR

649-F

MCSA-5876

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

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Washington State Commercial Learner's Permit

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Cdl Learner's Permit Washington State

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Getting Your Washington Learner's Permit

As you embark on your journey for your driver's license, it's important to remember that according to the Department of Licensing (DOL), car crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teens in Washington. That's why Washington has instituted a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program in which you must achieve age- and experience-related milestones prior to getting your driver's license.

One of the first steps on your path to your Washington driver's license is to obtain your instruction (learner's) permit. Below you will find everything you need to know about the process, including the documents you'll need and your behind-the-wheel requirements.

New to Washington?

Washington State Cdl Permit Cost

If you're new to Washington and you have a learner's permit from your previous state, you can contact the DOL to find out if the GDL requirements of your previous state meet those for the Washington GDL. If so, your instruction permit may transfer.

You can reach the DOL at:

• (360) 902-3900.
• TTY: 711.

Apply for a Washington Learner's Permit

In the state of Washington, you must be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a Driver's Ed program to get your instruction permit. It's important that you make sure you apply for your permit within 10 days of beginning your course.

If you're not enrolled in Driver's Ed, you must be 15 1/2 years old to get a permit, and you will be required to pass the knowledge test.

For more information about driver's education requirements, please refer to our Driver's Ed in Washington page.

The documents you are required to submit to the driver license office vary based on your age:

Under Age 18 years old

If you're under 18 years old:

• Save time and pre-apply online.
• Complete your learner's permit application at a driver licensing office.
• Submit proof of identity (e.g. Washington state ID card, valid U.S. passport, immigration ID with signature).
• Bring a completed and notarized Parental Authorization Affidavit (Form DLE-520-003).
  • Your parents must also provide proof of their identity and relationship to you (e.g. Washington State driver's license, U.S. passport, your certified birth certificate).
• If you are enrolled in Driver's Ed and your school does not submit electronic waivers, bring the printed waiver from your Driver's Ed provider.

For more information about the required documents please refer to this list of acceptable proof.

Age 18 years old and Up

If you're over 18 years old:

• Save time and pre-apply online.
• Complete your learner's permit application at a driver licensing office.
• Submit proof of identity (e.g. Washington state ID card, valid U.S. passport, immigration ID with signature).
• Submit proof of Social Security number (e.g. original Social Security card, W-2 form, pay stub with your name and SSN on it).
  • If you do not have a SSN, you can substitute proof of Washington residence (e.g. utility bill, checking or savings account statement, cancelled check with imprinted name and address).

For more information about the required documents, please refer to this list of acceptable proof.

Taking the Written Washington Permit Test

If you are not enrolled in Driver's Ed, you must pass the knowledge/permit test at a testing center before you can get your permit. If you are enrolled in a Driver's Ed course, your school will be testing you and will therefore provide you with a waiver so you do not have to take the knowledge test prior to getting your learner's permit.

There are two types of knowledge test waivers:

• Electronic Waiver:
  • Your school will submit your waiver electronically to the DOL. It will be on file when you are ready to get your permit.
• Printed Waiver:
  • Your school will give you a printed waiver that you will need to bring with you to your local driver license office to get your permit.

About the Washington Permit Test

If you do not have a waiver and are taking the permit test, the test consists of 40 questions regarding road signs and road rules taken from the Washington Driver Guide. You'll need to answer 32 questions or more correctly in order to pass. If you don't pass on your first attempt, you can take the test again, but you will have a wait period. If you fail a second time, you have to wait even longer before trying again.

After passing the exam. you will also need to:

• Have your photo taken.
• Pass a vision screening.
• Pay a $25 application fee to the DOL.
  • In addition, if you're taking your test from a driver training school, you'll need to check with your school to find out the amount they charge for testing. This fee is charged by the school, and isn't included in the application fee.

You may pay your fee with:

• Cash.
• Check.
• MasterCard and American Express credit/debit cards.
• Some VISA debit cards.

NOTE: There's a vendor-charged fee applied to credit/debit card purchases and credit/debit cards are not accepted at Coulee Dam, Davenport, Friday Harbor, Forks, Goldendale, Newport, Republic, and South Bend.

Pass The Written Test With Ease

The DOL provides a basic practice test to help you prepare for the written test. If you want to ensure passing on your first attempt, we also suggest preparing with an online practice test from our certified partner.

Behind-the-Wheel Driving Requirements

With your Washington learner's permit in your possession at all times, you need to complete 50 hours of supervised training, with 10 hours occurring at night.

During this time, you must always be accompanied by someone who has been licensed for 5 years or more.

Replacing Your Washington Learner's Permit

If you need to replace your learner's permit and you're under 18 years old, you need to visit a driver licensing office with the identity documents mentioned above and payment for the $20 fee.

If you're over 18 years old, you may be able to replace it online.

Your Next Step: Get Your Intermediate Driver's License

Getting a learner's permit is a big step towards freedom and independence. You can make the most of this liberating experience by doing your best to be a safe and responsible driver.

Your next step in the GDL process is to get your intermediate license. For more information, please refer to our Teen Driver's License page.

Forms

DLE-520-003

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

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