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Free Washington CDL practice test online

Take a free Washington CDL practice exam online with clear explanations—no sign-up. Coverage includes general knowledge, vehicle systems, combination vehicles, cargo, and endorsements. Then verify current requirements with Washington Department of Licensing.

CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in Washington is the same as everywhere else: 80% correct on every knowledge test. You must also hold a commercial learner’s permit for 14 days before the skills test.

Start practice Exam-style run

New to the knowledge test? CDL endorsements explained · One-week study plan

Practice coverage
Complete a run to establish your baseline.
600questions
23topics
80%federal pass mark

49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) sets the CDL knowledge-test passing score at 80%. Reaching it here is not a prediction of your official result.

Requirements before you test

Washington CDL test requirements

80%
Passing score
49 CFR 383.135(a)(1)
14 days
CLP held before skills test
Washington Department of Licensing
18
Min. age (in-state)
Washington Department of Licensing
21
Min. age (interstate)
49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)

Commercial licensing is largely federal. Any figure above credited to a 49 CFR section applies in every state — see 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) and 49 CFR 383.25(e). A figure credited to Washington Department of Licensing is Washington’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by Washington Department of Licensing (official source).

Entry-Level Driver Training comes first

Since February 7, 2022, a new Class A or Class B CDL, a class upgrade, or a first passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement requires training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (49 CFR 380.600). Practice questions are study material and do not satisfy that requirement.

FMCSA Training Provider Registry

You need a Washington licence first

A commercial learner’s permit only counts if you already hold an ordinary licence from the same state (49 CFR 383.25(a)(2)). The Washington non-commercial knowledge test runs 40 questions and needs 32 correct, with permits issued from age 15.

Washington permit practice test
Quick practice
10 balanced questions with feedback after every answer.
Practice now
Topic review
Focus on one knowledge area before returning to mixed practice.
See topics
Exam-style run
Answer the full starter bank before seeing your results.
Take the run

What you will practice

Build coverage topic by topic.

Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.

General knowledge29 reviewed questionsMountain driving12 reviewed questionsAir brakes61 reviewed questionsCombination vehicles54 reviewed questionsVehicle systems9 reviewed questionsCargo18 reviewed questionsTank vehicles47 reviewed questionsDoubles and triples43 reviewed questionsHazardous materials71 reviewed questionsSchool bus48 reviewed questionsPassenger vehicles45 reviewed questionsSafe driving6 reviewed questionsSpace management14 reviewed questionsVehicle inspection15 reviewed questionsEmergencies23 reviewed questionsHours of service14 reviewed questionsBasic control11 reviewed questionsSeeing hazards15 reviewed questionsWeather18 reviewed questionsNight driving7 reviewed questionsDriver fitness8 reviewed questionsSpeed management17 reviewed questionsCommunication15 reviewed questions

Sample questions

5 Washington CDL practice questions

Try these Washington sample questions now — each shows the correct answer with a plain-language explanation and a source section. The full 600-question bank is in the practice run.

  1. 1. Longer combination vehicles offtrack more, so in turns the rear of the last trailer:

    • Takes a shorter inside path you must allow for
    • BNever leaves the lane center
    • CTracks exactly on the steer-tire path
    • DFollows a wider outside path than the tractor

    Answer: Takes a shorter inside path you must allow for. Plan turns so the inside rear path clears curbs and vehicles. Longer combinations need more space.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Combination vehicles — offtracking

  2. 2. You should never drive a tank vehicle with:

    • AClosed manhole covers
    • Open valves or manhole covers
    • CGrounding cables stowed
    • DA fire extinguisher aboard

    Answer: Open valves or manhole covers. Valves and covers must be correctly positioned and secured before moving.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Tank vehicles — inspection

  3. 3. After driving through deep water, the recommended way to dry air brakes is to:

    • ASet the parking brake for several minutes
    • BCoast in neutral until they dry
    • Apply light pressure on the brakes while driving slowly
    • DUse only the trailer hand valve

    Answer: Apply light pressure on the brakes while driving slowly. Driving slowly in low gear with light brake pressure generates heat that dries the linings. Test them before returning to speed.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Adverse conditions — wet brakes

  4. 4. Aisles and stairwells on a bus must remain:

    • ABlocked by coolers if needed
    • BFull of overflow baggage
    • Clear for rider movement and emergency evacuation
    • DOpen for standing ahead of the driver

    Answer: Clear for rider movement and emergency evacuation. Interior checks also cover handholds, floor covering, signaling devices, and emergency exit handles.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Passenger vehicles — bus interior

  5. 5. In a drive-wheel braking skid, the first step is usually to:

    • ADownshift immediately
    • BSteer harder into the skid while braking more
    • Stop braking so the wheels can roll again, then countersteer as the vehicle straightens
    • DApply the trailer hand valve fully

    Answer: Stop braking so the wheels can roll again, then countersteer as the vehicle straightens. Locked drive wheels cause the skid. Releasing restores traction so you can steer.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Skid control and recovery

Practice all 600 questions

CDL knowledge areas

Classes and endorsements, organized.

Each area below scopes the reviewed question bank to one knowledge test. The material is federal, so it applies in Washington just like everywhere else — the endorsement guide explains how the codes fit together.

General knowledge

The foundation for commercial driving: inspections, space, speed, communication, hazards, and safe operation.

  • Pre-trip inspection
  • Space and speed management
  • Railroad crossings
  • Emergency procedures
Practice general knowledge
Air brakes

Understand air-brake components, inspections, warning devices, stopping distance, and controlled braking.

  • Dual air systems
  • Low-air warnings
  • Brake lag and fade
  • Applied-leak and static checks
Practice air brakes
Combination vehicles

Prepare for safe coupling, inspection, turning, backing, and handling of tractor-trailer combinations.

  • Fifth-wheel inspection
  • Coupling and uncoupling
  • Off-tracking
  • Trailer skid prevention
Practice combination vehicles
Hazardous materialsEndorsement H

Study hazard communication, shipping papers, placards, loading rules, parking, and emergency response responsibilities.

  • Hazard classes
  • Placards and labels
  • Shipping papers
  • Loading and segregation
Practice hazardous materials
Tank vehiclesEndorsement N

Learn how liquid surge, outage, bulkheads, and high centers of gravity change vehicle handling.

  • Liquid surge
  • Outage requirements
  • Smooth braking
  • Rollover prevention
Practice tank vehicles
Doubles & triplesEndorsement T

Practice converter-dolly inspection, coupling order, rearward amplification, and stability principles.

  • Coupling sequence
  • Converter dollies
  • Rearward amplification
  • Space management
Practice doubles & triples
Passenger vehiclesEndorsement P

Prepare to inspect, load, and operate buses while keeping passengers, aisles, and exits safe.

  • Vehicle inspection
  • Passenger loading
  • Emergency exits
  • Prohibited practices
Practice passenger vehicles
School busEndorsement S

Review student loading, danger zones, mirrors, emergency procedures, and special railroad-crossing duties.

  • Danger zones
  • Student loading
  • Mirror use
  • Railroad crossings
Practice school bus
Official source hub
Verify current rules before your test.

QuizLane’s starter material points learners back to the agency responsible for licensing in Washington. Rules and manuals can change; the official agency remains authoritative.

Visit Washington Department of Licensing
Our accuracy promise
Original wording—not scraped competitor questions
A source section attached to every reviewed item
A correction path when something looks wrong
Read our methodology

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Common questions

What this practice can—and cannot—tell you.