You must hold your valid DC DMV CDL learner permit for at least 30 calendar days before you can schedule a CDL road skills test. You must also make an appointment for the road skills test. You can schedule your appointment online at the link below:
- Online Road Test Appointment Scheduler (unavailable every Monday from 9 pm to midnight for system maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience.)
To make an appointment, you will need the driver license number (DLN) that appears on your CDL learner permit and your personal information. When you have selected a convenient appointment day and time, print the confirmation page of your schedule for your records.
On the day of your test, go to DC DMV Commercial Driver Road Test Lot. Information on the lot is available at the link below:
- DC DMV Commercial Driver Road Test Lot
Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Make sure you are accompanied by a CDL licensed driver 21 years of age or older who holds a license with the CDL class and endorsements that you are testing for, or higher.
You must bring your valid CDL learner permit and valid NCDL along with your valid Department of Transportation medical certification card. You must bring and be tested in a vehicle that meets the class and/or endorsement qualifications for the license you want. The vehicle must also have valid registration and insurance documentation.
A DC DMV CDL road skills test takes approximately two hours. You must pay a fee for each road test you take, whether you pass or fail. Information on DC DMV fees is available at the link below:
- DC DMV Fees
When you pass your road skills test, you can apply immediately to upgrade your CDL learner permit to a license. You must take the printout of the results of your road skills test to the DC DMV Deanwood Commercial Driver License Center. Information on the Deanwood Center is available at the link below:
- DC DMV Deanwood Commercial Driver License Center
If you fail…
If you fail the road skills test, you must wait 3 calendar days before you are eligible to take it again. If you fail the road skills test again, you must wait at least 90 calendar days before you can retake it.
Cancellations
If you would like to cancel or reschedule a road test, please call the District’s Citywide Call Center at 311 or (202) 737-4404 at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled road test. Failure to cancel a scheduled road test within 48 hours will result in a cancellation fee and a failed test. This fee will be collected the next time you complete a license-related transaction.
Your road test may be cancelled by DC DMV for one or more of the reasons listed below.
- The examiner believes he or she would have trouble reaching the brake or otherwise stopping the test vehicle in an emergency.
- There is inclement weather or other circumstances beyond DC DMV's control that make the road test dangerous.
- You, or your vehicle, have not met all of the road test requirements.
If your road test is cancelled, call the District’s Citywide Call Center at 311 or (202) 737-4404 or reschedule online.
The required road skills tests for each CDL CMV class are listed below:
Required Skills Road Tests for Class A
- General Commercial Class A
- Combination
- Airbrakes
Required Skills Road Tests for Class A endorsements
- T - Double/Triple Trailers
- P - Passenger
- S - School Bus
Required Skills Road Tests for Class B
- General Commercial Class B
- Airbrakes
Required Skills Road Tests for Class B endorsements
- P - Passenger
- S - School Bus
Required Skills Road Tests for Class C
- General Commercial Class C
Required Skills Road Tests for Class C endorsements
- P - Passenger
- S - School Bus
Endorsements for Hazardous Materials (H) and Tank (T) do not require a Skills Road Test. Endorsements for H, T and X (Hazardous Material and Tank) may not be obtained prior to the issuance of the appropriate CDL (Class A, B or C). Endorsement (S) will not be displayed on the CDL learner’s permit.
Grounds for immediate failure: Causes or contributes to an accident, refuses to perform any maneuver, commits a dangerous act, cannot operate vehicle.
Forum - Failed my CDL road test. Stalled! :(
First of all, it's nearly impossible to stall a truck if you start in a low enough gear. In fact, if you start in first gear you'd have to just about stand on the brakes to get it to stall because there is so much torque in those engines.
DPS employees cannot discuss anything regarding the test that is not in the CDL Manual that is available to the public free of charge. No part of the CDL Skills Test shall be filmed or recorded, unless by the Department of Public Safety (OAC 595:11-3-7). Per AAMVA, “Under no circumstances is a jurisdiction permitted to release copies of any skills test score sheets, scoring criteria, exercise dimensions, etc. to anyone; or post to any website/domain. All materials related to CDL Skills Testing for both class and endorsement must be kept secure.”