How to get a CDL in District of Columbia
The facts below come from official District of Columbia sources, checked on October 31, 2026. Fees change: confirm with the state before you pay.
Fees and rules
- Issued by
- District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)
- Learner's permit (CLP) fee
- $78
- Knowledge test fee
- $10 per test (paid pass or fail)
- Skills (road) test fee
- $10 per road skills test
- CDL license fee
- $117 (first-time or renewal); valid 8 years
- CLP is valid for
- 1 year; not renewable (retest after expiry)
- Minimum age (within the state)
- 18 (intrastate CDL); 21 for a standard CDL
- Test languages
- English only
- Where the skills test is given
- State only: DC DMV Commercial Driver Road Test Lot (bring your own vehicle)
- Medical card
- DOT medical certification by a Certified Medical Examiner; since June 23, 2025 examiners submit results electronically via the FMCSA National Registry (DMV no longer accepts paper cards)
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
- Required since Feb 7, 2022 before the skills test (first-time Class A/B, upgrades, first-time S/P/H) from an FMCSA-registered provider
Official sources
“Commercial Driver Learner Permit: $78” dmv.dc.gov
“Commercial Driver License (First-Time and Renewal): $117” dmv.dc.gov
“Commercial Driver License Knowledge Test: $10 per test” dmv.dc.gov
“Commercial Driver License Road Skills Test: $10” dmv.dc.gov
“It is valid for eight years and can be renewed.” dmv.dc.gov
“Effective February 26, 2019, any new CDL learner permits issued will be valid for one year and are non-renewable.” dmv.dc.gov
“All knowledge tests are in English only.” dmv.dc.gov
“On the day of your test, go to DC DMV Commercial Driver Road Test Lot.” dmv.dc.gov
“To obtain an Intrastate CDL, you must be at least 18 years old.” dmv.dc.gov
“DC DMV will no longer accept DOT medical cards from drivers after June 22, 2025.” dmv.dc.gov
“Applicants must successfully complete this training before they will be permitted to take the CDL skills test” dmv.dc.gov