Skills test: CDL

You must pass both the knowledge and skills (driving) tests to add a commercial driver license (CDL) to your driver license.

What to expect

The skills test takes about 2 hours and includes a pre-trip inspection, a basic controls test (backing exercises), and a road test. You must take the skills test to:

  • get a CDL.
  • upgrade your CDL.
  • add a passenger or school bus endorsement.
  • remove the air brake restriction.

How to schedule a CDL skills test

  1. Go to a driver licensing office and request a CDL Skills Test Results form.
  2. Pay the appropriate fee.
  3. The driver licensing office staff will schedule you for your CDL skills test with a DOL tester, or give you a list of available third-party testers you may contact to schedule and take the test.

Note: If you are a current student at a commercial driver training school, check with your school to see if they are partnering with us for testing and tell the driver licensing office staff if they are. If your school has arranged with us to have the skills test conducted at the school, you will be given a CDL Skills Test Results form that assigns you to a Department of Licensing (DOL) tester.

Where to take your test

When you apply for your CDL skills test, you will be scheduled with either a DOL tester or a third-party tester depending on tester availability and what is geographically convenient to you.

  • Third-party testers set their own testing hours and locations.
  • DOL testers conduct CDL skills tests at regional CDL skills test locations.

If you are an employer or CDL training school, we may be able to partner with you to provide skills testing. Call the CDL Skills Testing Program at (360) 902-3607 for more information.

What to bring to your test

When you arrive for your CDL skills test appointment, you must bring all of the following:

  • An unloaded commercial vehicle that is representative of the class of CDL you want (A, B, or C). The vehicle must be in safe operating condition and free of all hazardous material. If you are applying for a passenger or school bus endorsement, you must provide a bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver.
  • A signed CDL Skills Test Results form issued by a driver licensing office. This is a required form and you won’t be tested or issued a license without it.
  • Your valid Washington State driver license.
  • Proof of valid insurance or a letter from the owner of the vehicle that authorizes you to use it for your test.

What to do if you lose your Skills Test Results form

If you lose this form you will be required to:

  1. Go back to the driver licensing office and get a new form. It will be marked as a “Duplicate.”
  2. Return to the tester to have them complete the new form.
  3. Use your duplicate form to do one of the following:
    • If you passed all components of the test, return to the driver licensing office and have your CDL issued.
    • If you have taken the test and failed, return to a driver licensing office, pay the required fee, and get a new form to retest.

What to do if you pass the test

Once you pass all 3 components of the skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, road test), the tester will complete and sign your CDL Skills Test Results form and return it to you. Take this form to a driver licensing office to have your CDL issued. Starting January 2, 2009, you must also present an original certificate from your school or employer to verify you have completed the required training.

What to do if you don’t pass the test

If you don’t pass all 3 components of the skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, road test) on your first try, you may schedule another attempt with the tester after the required waiting period listed below:

If you don’t pass the… You can retake the test…
Pre-trip inspection The next day
Basic controls test
  • First retest: the next day
  • Second retest: in 3 days
  • Third and following retests: in 7 days
Road test* In 7 days

*When you retake the road test, the vehicle must also pass a safety inspection if you have previously passed the pre-trip inspection.

After a failed attempt, you must return to the driver licensing office with the completed CDL Skills Test Results form, and get a new CDL Skills Test Results form before you can continue. The driver licensing office will transfer your passing scores to the new form and collect the required $100 fee.

This cycle can be repeated as many times as it takes to successfully pass all 3 components of the skills test.

How to schedule a retest

  • If you tested with a DOL tester, you must be retested by DOL. Call the CDL Skills Testing Program at (360) 902-3607 to schedule a retest. When you call, please provide the following information:
    • Your full name (last, first, and middle initial)
    • Your date of birth
    • Your Washington State driver license number
    • A contact phone number
  • If you tested with a third-party tester, contact the same third-party tester to schedule a retest. If you go to a different tester, you will be required to start all over and complete all 3 portions of the skills test again — even if you passed 1 or more components of the test with the first third-party tester.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have the option to choose between a DOL tester and a third-party tester when I schedule my CDL skills test?

No. Depending on tester availability and what is geographically convenient for you, the driver licensing office staff will either assign you to a DOL tester or provide you a list of third-party testers you may contact to schedule and take the test.

Will I be provided with a commercial vehicle when I take my skills test with a DOL tester?

No, DOL testers will not provide a commercial vehicle for you to use during testing. You must provide your own commercial vehicle when taking your skills test with a DOL tester.

How long are test scores valid?

Test scores are valid for 1 year from the date of the test.

Can I get additional endorsements after I get my CDL?

After a CDL is issued, you can get additional endorsements or remove the air brake restrictions by taking additional knowledge and driving tests and paying all applicable fees.

Do I have to take the tests to reinstate a CDL or endorsement?

Drivers who surrender their CDL or any endorsement will be required to pay all applicable fees, and may be required to retake knowledge and driving tests depending on the circumstances surrounding the surrender of the CDL or endorsement.

Are there penalties for trying to get a CDL fraudulently?

If you try to get a CDL fraudulently, your driver license may be cancelled and you may be required to wait for up to 1 year before you can reapply for a CDL.

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