District of Columbia CDL practice test

Getting a commercial driver's licence in District of Columbia starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, District of Columbia included, writes its tests from the FMCSA CDL manual, so the general knowledge test has 50 questions, the endorsement tests have 20 to 30, and the passing score is 80% on each. District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free District of Columbia CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.

50general knowledge questions
80%passing score on every test
8knowledge tests covered
DCpick your state once in the app

Free District of Columbia CDL practice quiz

Five questions from the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles banks, the three tests most District of Columbia Class A applicants take first. Tap an answer to see if you were right and read the explanation.

0 of 5 right0 of 5 answered

While driving, you notice the oil pressure gauge has dropped to a low reading. You should:
You are starting a manual-transmission vehicle on an upgrade. To keep from rolling back, you should:
Whenever possible, which way should you back and turn a large vehicle?
Before backing into a tight spot, you should:
While double clutching, you stay in neutral too long and cannot get the next gear. What should you do?

Every CDL test for District of Columbia drivers

Each page has a free ten-question quiz, the real question count, the 80% pass mark and what the test covers.

How the District of Columbia CDL knowledge test works

You take the general knowledge test first; it is required for every CDL class. Class A drivers add the combination vehicles test. Almost everyone takes the air brakes test, because skipping it puts an air brake restriction on the licence. Endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger, school bus) each have their own knowledge test. Pass the tests and you hold a commercial learner's permit; the skills test in a truck comes later.

Fees, appointment rules and test centre locations are set by District of Columbia; the current ones from DC DMV are in the next section. What does not change is the content, and that is what PassRig drills.

District of Columbia CDL fees and rules

In District of Columbia the CDL is issued by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles. The figures below are taken from its own pages and were last checked on 2 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the agency before you go.

Study from the state's own book: DC DMV Commercial Driver License Manual. PassRig's questions are written from the same FMCSA manual it is based on.

What	DC	Source
Learner's permit fee	$78	dmv.dc.gov
CDL fee	$117, first-time and renewal	dmv.dc.gov
Knowledge test fee	$10 per test	dmv.dc.gov
Retest fee	Fee payable for each knowledge test taken, whether you pass or fail	dmv.dc.gov
Permit valid for	1 year, non-renewable (permits issued from 26 February 2019)	dmv.dc.gov
Minimum age	21; 18 for an intrastate CDL	dmv.dc.gov
Appointment	Scheduled appointment required for visits to the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office	dmv.dc.gov
If you fail	3 calendar days; retake on the fourth day	dmv.dc.gov
Attempts allowed	6 fails in a 12-month period: no 7th test until 12 months after the first fail	dmv.dc.gov
Test languages	English only	dmv.dc.gov
Medical certificate	DOT medical certification by a Certified Medical Examiner on the National Registry	dmv.dc.gov
Entry-level driver training	Entry-level drivers subject to ELDT regulations since 7 February 2022	dmv.dc.gov
Also worth knowing	Hold the CLP at least 30 calendar days before scheduling the road skills test	dmv.dc.gov

7 official pages from DC DMV were read for this section. Nothing on it is estimated.

District of Columbia CDL test questions

How many questions are on the District of Columbia CDL test?

The District of Columbia CDL general knowledge test follows the federal model: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass. Endorsement tests are shorter: air brakes 25, hazmat 30, and combination vehicles, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger and school bus 20 each.

What is the passing score on the District of Columbia CDL permit test?

80% on every knowledge test, the same pass mark used across the United States.

Where do I take the CDL knowledge test in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles gives the test. Scheduled appointment required for visits to the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Services Office The test content itself comes from the FMCSA CDL manual.

How much does a CDL permit cost in District of Columbia?

DC DMV lists the commercial learner's permit fee as $78. If you fail a knowledge test: 3 calendar days; retake on the fourth day

Does PassRig have District of Columbia CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick District of Columbia in the app and you get practice sets and mock exams built from the knowledge test content your state uses, with the real counts and the 80% line.