CDL Requirements in Washington: Are You Eligible?

Q: What are the age requirements for obtaining a CDL in Washington state?

You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a CDL for intrastate driving within Washington. To drive interstate or transport hazardous materials, federal law requires drivers to be at least 21 years old.

Q: Are CDL requirements in Washington different than requirements in Oregon?

Yes. Washington requires state-mandated minimum training hours through registered training providers, while Oregon does not require additional state training hours beyond federal ELDT requirements.

Q: What training is required to get a CDL in Washington?

Washington requires 160 total hours of training for a Class A CDL and 80 total hours for Class B and Class C CDLs. Training must be completed through a Washington-registered CDL training provider.

Q: How does my driving record affect my eligibility for a CDL in Washington?

Washington reviews the last five years of driving history when evaluating CDL applications. Certain violations, including DUI offenses and multiple serious traffic violations, can disqualify you from holding a CDL.

Q: What medical requirements do I need to meet for a Washington CDL?

You must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam conducted by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner to qualify for a CDL in Washington.

Q: What is the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirement?

Since February 2022, all new CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), which includes classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training through an FMCSA-registered provider.

This guide breaks down both federal rules and Washington-specific requirements for getting a Commercial Driver’s License. Washington has stricter CDL training requirements than many states, including mandatory minimum training hours through state-registered providers.

Washington-Specific Training Requirements

Washington state has its own training-hour requirements that are more specific than the federal guidelines. These state-specific rules must be completed before you can obtain your commercial driver’s license, and they’re designed to ensure every Washington CDL holder meets safety standards.

CDL Training Hours in Washington

Class A CDL requires 160 total hours of training. This training breaks down into:

Classroom instruction
Range practice
Observation time
Actual road driving
Proficiency development
Specific backing maneuvers

Class B and Class C require 80 total training hours. The Class B breakdown includes:

40 hours in the classroom
14 hours of street driving
8 hours of proficiency development
8 hours of backing maneuvers training
10 hours of combined observation, lab, and range training.

Here’s what’s really important: Only registered Washington Training Providers can certify that you’ve met these training requirements. You’ll need to work with either a registered CDL training school or an employer who’s a registered training provider. Don’t just assume any training will count – it has to be from an approved Washington provider.

Washington Endorsement Training Hours

Hazmat endorsement requires 16 total hours
Passenger endorsement needs 14 hours,
School bus endorsement demands 30 total hours of specialized training.

These additional hours reflect the extra responsibility that comes with transporting passengers or dangerous materials.

Washington’s training requirements are stricter than many states, but they serve an important purpose. Every commercial driver on Washington roads has the skills needed to operate large commercial vehicles safely.

Federal CDL Requirements

Meet the Age Requirements

At 18 years old, you can get your CDL for intrastate driving, which means you can only drive within Washington state.

The federal government requires you to be 21+ in order to:

Crossing state lines in your commercial vehicle (interstate driving)
Transport hazardous materials anywhere, even within Washington
Operate certain specialized commercial vehicles

Provide a Valid Driver’s License

This requirement is straightforward – you must have a current, non-commercial Washington driver’s license before you can apply for any commercial license.

CDL holders also face stricter standards when driving any vehicle on public roads. Serious traffic violations can affect your ability to keep your CDL. This higher level of accountability reflects the increased responsibility that comes with commercial driving.

Prove Identity and Legal Presence

Documentation is a critical part of your CDL application process. Federal regulations require all applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency status when applying for, renewing, or transferring a commercial driver’s license in Washington state.

You’ll need to provide at least one of these federally approved documents:

Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
Certified birth certificate (issued by a government authority)
Valid Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)
Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Here’s what you need to know about these documents: The Washington Department of Licensing only accepts original documents or certified copies with original embossed or ink seals. Photocopies, scanned documents, or photographs won’t work.

You’ll also need to provide your Social Security number, which gets verified with the Social Security Administration.

Have a Clean Driving Record

Your driving record is where things get more personal. Washington state takes a close look at your driving history before approving your CDL application– they want to know you can handle the responsibility that comes with operating commercial vehicles.

You’ll want to get a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) before you apply. You can request this online or visit your local DOL office. This document shows your complete history of traffic violations, convictions, and accidents.

Washington examines the last 5 years of your driving history when evaluating CDL applications. Here’s the reality: you can still get your CDL with some violations on your record, but finding a job afterward becomes much harder.

Some violations will disqualify you completely from holding a CDL:

Driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or higher in a commercial vehicle
Refusing breath or blood tests while driving any vehicle
Leaving the scene of an accident
Railroad-crossing violations in a commercial vehicle
Multiple serious traffic offenses

What counts as “serious traffic offenses”? More than you might think:

Speeding 15+ mph over the posted limit
Reckless driving
Improper lane changes
Using a cell phone while driving a commercial vehicle

Depending on the number of traffic violations that you have, you could be disqualified from getting your CDL for up to 120 days. Once you have your CDL, you’ll need to notify employers in writing about any traffic convictions by the end of the next business day.

Complete the DOT Physical and Drug Screen

Operating commercial vehicles requires you to be in good physical condition, and the Department of Transportation takes this requirement seriously.

You’ll need to complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination with a licensed medical examiner who’s listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s National Registry. These certified examiners include Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, physician assistants, nurse practitioners or chiropractors.

The DOT physical covers several key areas:

Vision and hearing capabilities
Urine screening for undiagnosed health problems
Physical health assessment (weight, blood pressure, lung function)
Balance and overall fitness evaluation

Your DOT medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months, though examiners can issue shorter-term certificates if they need to monitor specific health conditions. Once you complete the exam, your medical examiner will electronically submit your results to the National Registry.

Drug testing is another ongoing requirement for commercial drivers. The DOT drug testing program is extensive and continues throughout your entire driving career:

Pre-employment screening before you can operate any commercial vehicle
Random testing is conducted throughout the year
Post-accident testing after certain types of crashes
Reasonable suspicion testing when impairment is suspected
Return-to-duty and follow-up testing for drivers who previously violated regulations

These tests specifically screen for drugs that are prohibited by the federal government, regardless of whether they’re allowed at the state level. Federal regulations always take precedence for commercial drivers.

Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Here’s where federal and state requirements come together. Since February 7, 2022, all new commercial driver’s license applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). This isn’t just a Washington requirement – it’s a federal rule that applies nationwide to ensure all new commercial drivers receive proper training.

ELDT is required if you’re seeking to:

Obtain a Class A or B CDL for the first time
Upgrade from a Class B to Class A CDL
Add school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsements

Think of ELDT as your formal education before getting behind the wheel professionally. The program includes both classroom learning and hands-on driving practice. The classroom portion covers vehicle systems, safe driving practices, and non-driving responsibilities, such as cargo handling and trip planning. Then you’ll get real behind-the-wheel experience with qualified instructors.

Here’s the important part: Your ELDT must be completed through a provider registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry, such as Elite Truck School. Only registered providers can certify that you’ve met the federal requirements. When you finish your training, your instructor submits your certification directly to the federal registry.

For Class A CDL training in Washington, you’re looking at approximately 40 hours of classroom instruction plus 120 hours of field training. That’s substantial training time, but it ensures you’re truly prepared for the responsibilities of commercial driving.

Once you complete ELDT, you’re ready for Washington’s CDL skills test – the final step to earning your commercial driver’s license and starting your new career.

FAQs

What are the age requirements for obtaining a CDL in Washington state?

In the U.S., you must be at least 18 years old to obtain a CDL for intrastate driving. For interstate operations and transporting hazardous materials, you need to be at least 21 years old.

Are requirements in Washington different than requirements in Oregon?

Yes, there are some differences between Oregon’s and Washington’s CDL requirements. Click here to read Oregon’s CDL Requirements.

What training is required to get a CDL in Washington?

Washington requires the same training time to obtain your Class A CDL that the federal government mandates – 160 hours. Class B requires a minimum of 80 hours in the state of Washington and 120 hours federally behind the wheel.

How does my driving record affect my eligibility for a CDL in Washington?

Washington examines 5 years of driving history when evaluating CDL applications. Generally, having no more than 2 moving violations within the last two years and no DUI within the past 5 years is preferred. Certain violations can disqualify you from holding a CDL.

What medical requirements do I need to meet for a Washington CDL?

You must complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination conducted by a licensed medical examiner.

What is the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirement?

Since 2022, all new CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training. This includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel training components. The training is mandatory.