Needs a Commercial Driver License (CDL)?
You need a CDL if you operate any of the following vehicles.
- All single vehicles with a manufacturer's weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.
- All trailers with a manufacturer's weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, if the gross weight rating of the combined vehicle(s) is 26,001 pounds or higher.
- All vehicles designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver). (Private, church, buses).
- All vehicles that carry placarded amounts of hazardous materials (see following section on exemptions).
These vehicles are divided into three classes, A, B, and C. The higher class CDL allows you to drive vehicles in any of the lower classes provided you have the appropriate endorsements.
Occasional drivers are also required to apply for a CDL and all appropriate endorsements. For example: Mechanics or truck sales people who operate commercial vehicles on a public roadway.
In addition to a CDL, drivers may need special endorsements if they:
- Drive vehicles carrying passengers, (buses);
- Pull double or triple trailers (see following section on exemptions);
- Drive tank vehicles (see following section on exemptions); or
- Haul placarded hazardous materials (see following section on exemptions).
There are six special endorsements and one restriction for the CDL. All of these require specific tests. The following sections explain endorsements and restrictions.
CDL Endorsements
Passenger Endorsement is required for all drivers of vehicles designed to carry 16 or more persons including the driver.
Double/Triple Trailers Endorsement is required for drivers pulling sets of double or triple trailers.
Tank Vehicle Endorsement is required for drivers of vehicles carrying liquids or liquid gases in portable or fixed tanks. Not required for portable tanks with a rated capacity under one thousand gallons.
Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) is required for drivers of vehicles carrying hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be marked with a placard.
Beginning on January 31, 2005 new federal regulations pertaining to drivers with a HME require a background records check and fingerprinting to be conducted for the initial licensure, renewal or transfer of a HAZMAT endorsement. Fees are estimated at a cost of $100 to the driver.
CDL HME holders with a disqualifying condition are required to voluntarily surrender their HME under federal regulations. Only the HME is required to be surrendered, the driver's other commercial status remains unaffected.
CDL Restrictions
All CDLs are issued with an airbrake restriction. In order to become authorized to operate an airbrake vehicle you must pass a written and skills test. The skills test must be conducted in a vehicle equipped with airbrakes.
CDL Exemptions
The law exempts three groups of drivers from the CDL:
- Farmers transporting farm equipment, supplies, or products to or from a farm in a farm vehicle are exempted provided the farmer or a farm employee operates the vehicle. Products include Christmas trees or wood products transported by vehicles 40,000 pounds GVWR or less.
- Fire-fighters/Law Enforcement Personnel operating emergency equipment are exempted provided they have completed the Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention Program (EVAP) and they carry a card certifying completion.
- Recreational Vehicle Operators are exempted when driving RV's for non-commercial purposes. This includes two axle rental trucks, and horse trailers for non-commercial purposes.
Procedures For Obtaining a CDL or Commercial Driver Instruction Permit
To obtain a CDL or Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP) you are required to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Washington State driver license. You are required to be at least 21 years of age before you may operate commercial vehicles in an Interstate capacity. You may apply for eithr the CDL or CDIP at any state Licensing Services Office (LSO). Some license issuances require knowledge testing, check with your local LSO to ensure that knowledge testing is conducted, some offices do not provide this service.
Note: Employers may impose additional standards and/or higher minimum age requirements.
Bring the following items to the licensing office:
- Your current valid driver license.
- Your social security card issued by the Social Security Administration. Your social security number is required for identification purposes. This is a mandatory requirement. 49 USC 31308, RCW 46.25.070.
A CDIP may be issued to an individual who holds a valid Washington license or commercial driver license. The holder of a CDIP may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver license, valid for the type of vehicle driven. The accompanying driver must have no less than two years experience in the type of commercial vehicle being operated and no less than five years total driving experience. The licensed commercial driver must also occupy the seat beside the individual, for the purpose of giving instruction.
Under new federal regulations, CDIP holders are not authorized to operate any commercial vehicle classified or placarded for hazardous materials.
- The CDIP is valid for six months and may be renewed one time only.
- A knowledge test is required for the issuance of the CDIP.
- Fees
- $10.00 testing fee (unsuccessful test attempts will require additional test fees)
- $10.00 issuance fee
Transferring a CDL From Another State
Bring the following items to the licensing office:
- Your valid out of state CDL.
- Your social security card issued by the Social Security Administration.
All out of state customers with a CDL will be required to transfer and surrender their prior states' CDL at the same time they obtain a Washington commercial license. Customers who do not transfer their out of state CDL to Washington will be required to re-qualify on all commercial knowledge and skills tests.
A customer who has a valid CDL issued by another state does not need to take the CDL tests except:
- To maintain the Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME). You will be required to pay the $10.00 examination fee and take the knowledge test for hazardous materials.
- To upgrade, add additional endorsements, or remove restrictions, you will be required to pay the necessary fees and take the appropriate knowledge and skills tests.
Testing
Both the knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests are required to receive a CDL. Test scores are valid for one year from the date of the test.
A knowledge test is required for:
- The class of vehicle;
- Each endorsement; and
- Removing the air brake restriction.
The skills test consists of a pre-trip inspection road test and a basic controls test (backing exercises), and takes up to 90 minutes. You will need to provide a vehicle appropriate to the class of license you apply for, including a bus (designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver) if applying for a passenger endorsement.
After a CDL is issued, adding a passenger endorsement, upgrading a license or removing the air brake restriction requires both knowledge and skills tests and applicable fees.
All drivers who surrender the CDL license or any endorsement will be required to pay all applicable fees and retake all knowledge and skills tests to obtain a CDL.
Fees
To obtain a CDL you will need to pay the appropriate fees.
- $10 testing fee for the knowledge test;
- $30 Commercial Drivers License fee;
- $75 maximum per test skill test fee.
This charge for skills testing is for one test attempt only, retests will cost up to an additional $75.
These fees are in addition to any fees for your basic driver license.
Renewal/Upgrade
When applying for a renewal or upgrade of a CDL, all applicants shall:
- Provide any updated information;
- Pass a written hazardous materials test if wishing to retain or upgrade a hazardous materials endorsement;
- Complete any additional testing requirements for an upgrade.
Medical Waiver Procedures
All commercial drivers must meet minimum medical standards as established by federal and state rules and regulations (CFR parts 391.41-391.49).
Intrastate
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) have adopted the same medical standards for all Washington licensed drivers who operate in intrastate commerce. Both WUTC and WSP rules and regulations authorize intrastate drivers who do not meet minimum medical standards to apply to the Department of Licensing for an intrastate medical waiver.
Medical waivers are issued only to licensed commercial drivers. When applying for the waiver the driver is required to have an active CDL record on file and submit:
- A complete Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical form. This must be the completed physical long form, the wallet portion by itself will not be accepted.
- A completed Application for Intrastate Medical Waiver form. These forms are also available at your local Licensing Service Office. Be sure to complete the personal information and the description of your medical condition for which the waiver is requested.
A qualified medical examiner's signature is required verifying the condition is likely to remain stable for the duration of the medical waiver.
- Completed forms received will require 5 to 7 business days to process.
Mail this information to:
Department of Licensing
CDL Medical Waiver Program
PO Box 9030
Olympia, Washington 98507-9030
Or fax to (360) 586-8351. If you have questions, call (360) 902-3860.
Requests for intrastate medical waivers are processed promptly and mailed to the driver. The medical waiver and commercial license must be carried at all times when operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Interstate
Interstate medical waivers are processed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Drivers who are missing or have the impaired use of a foot, leg, hand, or arm, or a condition of monocular vision may be eligible to apply for an interstate waiver. To apply, contact:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Olympia Branch
501 Evergreen Plaza
711 South Capital Way
Olympia, WA 98501
For additional information, the telephone number is (360) 753-9875.
Special Requirements
- You are required to notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled or if you are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle. Do this before the end of the business day following the day you received notice of the action.
- You must notify your employer, in writing, of all traffic convictions within thirty days. This includes those in your private automobile as well as a commercial vehicle.
- You must notify the Department of Licensing, in writing, of all out-of-state traffic convictions within thirty days of the conviction. Write to:
Department of Licensing
CDL Program
PO Box 9030
Olympia, Washington 98507-9030
- To reinstate a suspension or revocation of your personal driving privilege, you must file proof of financial responsibility with the Department of Licensing.
- If suspended or revoked, your commercial driving privilege is disqualified. Filing must include a letter from your employer's insurance company indicating that you are insured to operate commercial vehicles.
Disqualification
A driver is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle if a report has been received by the Department of Licensing that the driver has received a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test either as part of a drug and alcohol testing program required by employers, or as part of pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. These disqualifications remain in effect until the person presents evidence of satisfactory participation in or successful completion of a drug or alcohol treatment program meeting federal certification criteria.
If convicted or found to have committed two serious traffic violations within three years while operating a commercial vehicle, you shall lose your license for 60 days. A third conviction within three years results in 120-day disqualification.
Serious traffic violations include:
- Excessive speed (15 mph over posted limit);
- Reckless driving;
- Negligent driving;
- Improper lane changes;
- Driving a CMV without first obtaining a CDL;
- Driving a CMV without a CDL in your immediate possession;
- Driving a CMV without the proper class or endorsement for the type of vehicle being operated;
- Following too closely;
- Violation of a state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, in connection with an accident or collision resulting in a death to any person.
A driver is disqualified for a period of not less than 60 days for the first time conviction of the following offenses while operating a commercial vehicle at a railroad-highway grade crossing:
- Failing to slow down and check tracks are clear of an approaching train, when vehicle is not required to stop.
- Failing to stop before reaching the crossing, if the tracks are not clear, when vehicle is not required to stop.
- Failing to stop before driving into the crossing, when vehicles are always required to stop.
- Failing to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
- Failing to obey a traffic control device or directions of an enforcement officer at the crossing.
- Failing to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.
A driver is disqualified for one year for a first time conviction of the following offenses while operating a commercial vehicle.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or any drugs;
- Driving with an alcohol concentration of .04 or more;
- Leaving the scene of an accident;
- Using a commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony; or
- Refusing to take a blood alcohol test.
If convicted of any of the above while operating a vehicle placarded for hazardous materials, the disqualification increases to three years.
A second conviction of the above offense will result in disqualification for life. The second conviction may be for the same or a different offense.
Using a commercial vehicle in the making, selling, or distribution of drugs results in a lifetime disqualification.
Any person who holds a CDL shall be deemed to have consented to such testing as is required of him/her by any state or jurisdiction. Consent is implied by driving a commercial motor vehicle. 49 CFR §383.72.
If any level of alcohol is detected, law enforcement can place a commercial driver out-of-service for 24 hours. It is illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with any alcohol in your system.
Washington Department of Licensing
