A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Washington to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Washington CDL fees start at $105 for a 5-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Washington CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Relevant for Boeing aerospace parts, chemical shipments through the Puget Sound ports, and agricultural chemical delivery.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common for petroleum product haulers serving the Seattle metro, agricultural chemical tankers serving Eastern Washington farm operations, and milk haulers.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. King County Metro, Sound Transit, and community transit contractors.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. Washington school bus operators must meet additional state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requirements.
Class A CDL required. Triple trailers (Rocky Mountain doubles) permitted on designated Washington routes. Common on I-90 and I-82 for eastern Washington agricultural freight.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for petroleum and industrial chemical tanker operators in the Puget Sound region.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Washington →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, valid up to 24 months. Self-certify your operating category and submit the MEC copy to the Washington DOL. Intrastate CDL holders may use Washington state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Washington DOL licensing office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Washington residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL fee is $105. Visit dol.wa.gov for current requirements and office locations.
Washington CDLs are valid for 5 years. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers. Note that Washington's Weight-Distance Tax registration is a separate annual requirement for CDL operators of heavy vehicles on state highways.
Washington's Weight-Distance Tax (WDT) applies to commercial vehicles with a gross weight over 26,000 lbs operating on Washington state highways. The tax is based on the miles traveled on Washington highways and the vehicle's registered gross weight. CDL operators of qualifying vehicles must register with the Washington DOL and file quarterly reports. This is separate from your CDL — it's an operational tax requirement. Failure to register and pay is a significant violation.
There is no formal chain installation certification required for a Washington CDL. However, CDL operators regularly crossing mountain passes (Snoqualmie Pass on I-90, Stevens Pass on US-2, White Pass on US-12) must carry tire chains and comply with WSDOT chain control requirements in effect October through May. Know how to install chains quickly — chain control enforcement areas require drivers to chain up before entry when controls are in effect.
Yes. A TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) is required for unescorted access to secure maritime facility areas at the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma. A Class A CDL is required for container chassis drayage operations. Apply for TWIC through TSA — processing typically takes 4–6 weeks. If hauling HazMat containers, the H endorsement is also required.
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Washington CDL fee is $105 for original and renewal — among the higher fees in the western US. Knowledge tests are administered by the Washington DOL at no additional charge. Skills test fees vary by provider. Washington also imposes a weight-distance tax (WDT) on heavy vehicles using state highways — separate from CDL fees. Verify current amounts at dol.wa.gov.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Washington WA Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026