Washington State Department of Licensing
Washington CDL practice tests
How Washington handles the commercial learner permit, the fees and the skills test.
- General Knowledge24 questions, required of every applicant
- Air Brakes20 questions, skip it and an L restriction applies
- Combination Vehicles18 questions, needed for Class A
- Hazardous Materials20 questions, endorsement H
- Tank Vehicles16 questions, endorsement N
Every knowledge area
The 145 questions are the same in every state. Start with general knowledge, then sit the areas Washington will write onto the permit.
General Knowledge
Required of every applicant: inspection, control, space and speed management, hazard perception, emergencies and hours of service.
Air Brakes
Air brake knowledge and vehicle checks for applicants who may drive vehicles with air brakes.
Combination Vehicles
Coupling, the fifth wheel, off tracking and trailer swing. Needed for Class A.
Hazardous Materials
Placards, shipping papers, segregation and the security threat assessment.
Tank Vehicles
Liquid surge, baffles, outage and why a tanker rolls over so readily.
Doubles and Triples
Rearward amplification, converter dollies and coupling a second or third trailer.
Passenger Transport
Bus inspection, standee lines, passenger supervision and railroad crossings.
School Bus
Danger zones, loading and unloading, student crossing and evacuation.
What is different in Washington
Washington in particular
Washington lets CDL candidates pick between a state examiner and an independent third party examiner for the skills test, but the state has to authorize that independent examiner before the candidate can even schedule a slot with them.
The written exams themselves are federal
Washington decides the permit rules, the fees and who runs the skills test, but the knowledge you are tested on comes from 49 CFR Part 383 and is the same in every state, which is why the 145 questions here work wherever you apply.
What changes in this state
Commercial learner permit
Washington requires CLP holders to wait 14 days before taking a skills test, and the permit is valid for 180 days with one allowed 180 day renewal if renewed within 30 days of expiration.
Washington State Department of Licensing, checked Aug 28, 2026Fees
A commercial learner permit application costs 40 dollars.
Washington State Department of Licensing, checked Aug 28, 2026Where you test
The knowledge test is taken by appointment at a driver licensing office, and the skills test can be scheduled with a state examiner or with a state authorized independent third party examiner who must be booked at least 3 days ahead.
Washington State Department of Licensing, checked Aug 28, 2026Washington CDL written exams, in the federal format.
145 cited questions, free, with nothing to sign up for. The permit rules above are Washington's. The knowledge is 49 CFR Part 383.