A DC CDL renewal is very different than that of a standard District of Columbia driver’s license renewal. Renewing a CDL will limit your method of application as well as potentially require additional documentation by comparison. However, should you fail to complete your renewal, your CDL will expire and you will lose the ability to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Fortunately, there is a CDL expiration grace period in the District of Columbia, but you can avoid the expiration of your license altogether.

It is important to answer, “What do you need to renew your CDL license in District of Columbia?” before your visit to the DMV in order to avoid having to visit a second time. In order to protect your identity and ensure that you are still eligible for a CDL, a number of documents will be required prior to the acceptance of your renewal application. Additionally, you can save time during your visit by completing a renewal application beforehand and bringing it with you to the DMV.

When to Renew Your CDL License in District of Columbia

A CDL renewal must be performed in DC once every 8 years. Shortly before your CDL is set to expire, you will receive a notice from the DC DMV that will remind you of your impending expiration. Should your CDL expire before you are able to renew, it is important to understand that you will not be permitted to legally operate a motor vehicle as your CDL also serves as your driver’s license.

There is a CDL expiration grace period of 60 calendar days following the expiration of your CDL in the District of Columbia. Should you fail to renew during this grace period or prior to the expiration of your DC CDL, you will be required to complete all of your knowledge and driving exams again before a renewal will be granted to you.

CDL Renewal Testing Requirements in District of Columbia

Before reviewing CDL renewal requirements, it is important to review whether you will be required to complete any additional testing in order to perform a renewal in the District of Columbia. In most cases, you will not be required to complete any exams other than a vision exam. However, if you have a hazardous material endorsement, you must successfully complete a knowledge exam each time that you renew your CDL.

If you miss the CDL expiration grace period and your CDL has remained expired for a period that is longer than 60 days, you will be required to successfully complete all knowledge and driving exams for your CDL and any endorsements that you wish to renew. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you complete your renewal in a timely manner.

What do you need to renew your CDL license in District of Columbia?

It is important to learn what you need to renew your CDL license in the District of Columbia in order to be better prepared for the application process and avoid a second visit to the DMV. In the District of Columbia, you will need to provide the following alongside your application for renewal:

• A completed CDL supplemental form.
• The CDL renewal cost.
• A Completed U.S. Department of Transportation medical examination report.
• A completed U.S. Department of Transportation medical examiner’s certificate card.
• Your current DC commercial drivers license.
• Proof of name change, if applicable.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.

CDL Renewal Process in District of Columbia

Your District of Columbia CDL renewal can only be completed in person at the Brentwood Commercial Driver License Center. All other DMVs within the DC area are not equipped to handle commercial driver’s licenses and CDLs cannot be renewed online or by mail within the state.

When preparing to renew a commercial driver’s license, it is very important that you ensure that you have all your required documentation. While you do not need to complete the renewal application before your visit, by doing so, you can reduce the duration that you will likely spend at the Brentwood Center. If you are attempting to renew a hazardous material endorsement, it is very important that you complete your federal background check and fingerprinting with the TSA before you attempt to renew your CDL.

District of Columbia CDL Permit Renewal Requirements

If you are asking, “How long is a CDL permit good for in the District of Columbia?” it is important to know that once you are approved for a CLP, you will receive a 45-day temporary paper permit that you may use until you receive your real one by mail. A CLP will remain valid for a total of 180 calendar days from the date that the permit is issued.

You can perform a CDL permit renewal only once, so long as you apply for that renewal within 30 days from the permit’s expiration date. If your permit expires or if you need another permit after you have already renewed your CLP, you will be required to retest in order to obtain a new one.

Hazardous Material Endorsement CDL Renewal Requirements in District of Columbia

Should you need to renew a commercial drivers license hazardous material endorsement (HME) in the District of Columbia, it is important to know that you will be required to schedule and complete a federal background check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

To do so, you must complete an application for the background check either online or by calling 855-347-8371 during normal business hours. After submitting an application, you will need to visit your local application center in order to have your fingerprints taken.

During your visit, you will also be asked to provide your current CDL and your U.S. birth certificate or proof of lawful presence within the U.S.

You cannot complete a CDL renewal with an HME endorsement until you complete the TSA process, which could take up to 6 weeks. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and begin this process early in order to avoid the expiration of your license.

As part of this process, you must pay a non-refundable fee of $86.50, which can be paid by check, money order or with a major credit card. After completing your application and submitting to fingerprinting, you can check the status of your application at any point online.

You can renew a commercial drivers license with a HME after the TSA has notified the DC DMV of your approval. At this point, you will need to successfully pass a knowledge test for the hazardous material endorsement in order to renew your license.

CDL Renewal Fees in District of Columbia

The District of Columbia CDL renewal price is $117 for a standard CDL. However, if you have any endorsements that you would like to renew, you can expect an additional $20 per endorsement. If you intend to upgrade your CDL alongside your renewal by adding addition endorsements, you will also need to pay $10 per knowledge or road skill exam that you attempt. A CLP can be obtained or renewed for $78.

When completing a CDL renewal, it is also worth knowing that your employer may be willing to cover the costs of your renewal, so long as you need your CDL to perform your job duties. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to review whether or not your employer will cover the costs of your renewal prior to visiting the DMV.

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