Top When to Renew

Your Washington commercial driver's license (CDL) is good until your fifth birthday from the date of issue. You can renew your CDL with the Department of Licensing up to 90 days before it expires.

Top Go in Person

You will have to go in person to your local Licensing Services Office to renew your CDL. You will need to provide any updated information, like a new home or business address. You may also be required to get a new medical exam. To upgrade your CDL, you'll also have to pass additional knowledge tests for the endorsements you're applying for.

Top Out-of-State Renewals

Washington does not renew CDLs by mail. But if you're going to be out of Washington for 12 months or less, you can request an extension of your CDL. All endorsements except hazardous materials will be included in the extension. If you have a hazmat endorsement, you will be granted only a 45-day extension. Send your extension request to:

• Department of Licensing

• Driver Responsibility Technical Reporting

• P.O. Box 9048

• Olympia, WA 98507-9048

Top Renewing a Hazardous Materials Endorsement

Hauling hazardous materials requires that you be knowledgeable about the type of substances you're transporting. When you are hauling a hazmat load, you have the added responsibility of being extra careful on the roadways because any accident could turn into a disaster if the material is released from its containers.

The federal government wants to make sure you can be trusted with hazardous materials. Therefore, regulations require you to submit to a background check and fingerprinting every time you renew your hazmat endorsement. Furthermore, you'll need to take the hazmat endorsement written test when you apply for a renewal. This is to make sure commercial drivers are up-to-date on their hazmat knowledge.

Top Fees

• CDL renewal: $30

• Endorsement processing: $10 each

• Knowledge test: $10

• Hazmat background check: $94

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