Checked against official District of Columbia sources on Oct 8, 2026
District of Columbia CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and District of Columbia follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official District of Columbia source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
District of Columbia CDL facts
| What | What District of Columbia says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CDL learner permit fee | The DC DMV fee table lists the Commercial Driver Learner Permit at $78. | Official page |
| CDL fee | The fee table lists a Commercial Driver License (first-time and renewal) at $117. An endorsement costs $20, a duplicate costs $20 and a downgrade costs $20. | Official page |
| Knowledge test fee | A CDL knowledge test costs $10 per test. You pay whether you pass or fail. | Official page |
| Road skills test fee | A CDL road skills test costs $10. You pay for each road test you take, whether you pass or fail. | Official page |
| No cash at the CDL office | DC DMV says no cash is accepted at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Office or the CDL Testing Facility. It takes contactless and digital wallet payments and Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. | Official page |
| Knowledge test retest wait | If you fail a CDL knowledge test, you wait three calendar days and can retake it on the fourth day. If you fail six times in 12 months, you cannot take the seventh test until 12 months after you failed the first one. | Official page |
| Knowledge test time limits | The CDL General Knowledge test has a 90 minute limit. Each endorsement test has a 60 minute limit. If you go over the limit, you fail. | Official page |
| Knowledge tests are English only | DC DMV says all CDL knowledge tests are in English only. | Official page |
| Where to take the knowledge test | You take the CDL knowledge test at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office, 1421 Kenilworth Avenue NE, Washington, DC. Knowledge exams run Tuesday to Saturday, ending at 2 pm. | Official page |
| Required knowledge tests by class | Class A needs General Commercial, Combination and Airbrakes. Class B needs General Commercial and Airbrakes. Class C needs General Commercial. Endorsement tests are added for T, P, S, H and N where the class allows them. | Official page |
| CDL learner permit validity | New CDL learner permits are valid for one year and cannot be renewed. When it expires, you must retest to get a permit again. You get a 45 day paper permit when you pass. | Official page |
| Learner permit endorsements | A DC CDL learner permit may only have the S (school bus) and P (passenger) endorsements, with extra restrictions. | Official page |
| Minimum age | You must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid non-commercial license. An intrastate CDL needs you to be at least 18. | Official page |
| DC intrastate CDL | A DC intrastate CDL allows Class C CMVs only. You cannot get the H, N, P, S or T endorsements on it. | Official page |
| Wait before the road test | You must hold your CDL learner permit for at least 30 calendar days before you can schedule a road skills test. You must make an appointment. | Official page |
| Road skills test retest rule | If you fail the road test, you wait 3 calendar days. If you fail again, you wait at least 90 calendar days. | Official page |
| Road test cancellation | Call to cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before the road test. If you do not, you get a cancellation fee and a failed test. The fee table lists the cancellation fee as $30 and says it applies if you do not cancel within two business days. | Official page |
| You bring the test vehicle and a CDL driver | For the road test you bring a vehicle that matches the class and endorsements you want, with valid registration and insurance. You must be accompanied by a CDL driver age 21 or older with that class or higher. The test takes about two hours. | Official page |
| Human Trafficking Awareness Training | Under DC rules, new CLP applicants and people converting an out-of-state CDL must finish Human Trafficking Awareness training before the permit or conversion. It is a short film of about 15 minutes, and you can do it online. | Official page |
| Medical certification | DC DMV says it no longer accepts paper DOT medical cards after June 22, 2025. Certified medical examiners must send results electronically through the FMCSA National Registry. | Official page |
| Non-domiciled CDL | If you are not a permanent resident but are legally in the US under a USCIS approved program, DC DMV issues a CDL marked as non-domiciled. You must show proof of your USCIS status. | Official page |
| Who cannot apply | You cannot apply if your regular license is revoked or suspended, you have a hearing scheduled on a moving violation, or you have an unresolved citation in another jurisdiction. Other limits are listed on the eligibility page. | Official page |
| Endorsements that skip the road test | The T (double/triple), H (hazmat) and N (tank) endorsements do not need a road skills test. H and N cannot be added before the CDL itself is issued. | Official page |
| Entry-level driver training | First-time Class A or Class B applicants, Class B to Class A upgrades, and first-time S, P or H endorsements must finish ELDT with an FMCSA approved provider first. | Official page |
| CDL validity | The DC CDL is valid for eight years and can be renewed. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official District of Columbia CDL page before you go. Read the official District of Columbia CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official District of Columbia manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.