Where to find your license class on your card

Your Washington driver's license class is printed on the front of your card in the upper right corner, next to a white box. It will be a single letter — A, B, C, D, E, F, or M — sometimes followed by a number or restriction code. If you are looking at your card right now, that letter is your class.

The class tells you what kinds of vehicles you are legally allowed to drive. Washington groups vehicles by weight, passenger capacity, and whether they require special training. Your class determines which roads are open to you and which vehicles you cannot operate without additional licensing.

If you cannot find your physical card or need to check your record before it arrives, you can call the Washington Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 during business hours, or visit their website to look up your driving record. You will need your name, date of birth, and driver's license number.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license class is a single letter printed on the front of your Washington driver's license card in the upper right corner.
  • Class C is the standard passenger vehicle license that most people hold and covers cars, small trucks, and vans under a certain weight.
  • Classes A and B require a commercial driver's license (CDL) and are for people who drive trucks or buses for work.
  • Class M is for motorcycles and requires a separate endorsement or a motorcycle-only license.
  • You can confirm your class by calling the Department of Licensing or checking your driving record online if you do not have your card.

Class C: the standard passenger vehicle license

Class C is the most common license class in Washington. It covers passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and small recreational vehicles, as long as the vehicle weighs less than 26,001 pounds and is not designed to carry more than 15 passengers. If you passed your driving test in a regular car and received a standard license, you hold a Class C.

A Class C license does not permit you to drive a commercial vehicle for hire, even if the vehicle itself is small enough to fit the weight and passenger limits. If you drive for a rideshare company, delivery service, or taxi, you may need additional endorsements or a commercial license depending on the company's insurance and the vehicle type.

Classes A and B: commercial driver's licenses

Class A and Class B licenses are commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) issued only to people who pass a written test and a skills test in an actual commercial vehicle. You cannot upgrade from a Class C to a Class A or B through a straightforward written exam — you must test in the vehicle class you want to drive.

Class A covers the largest trucks, including tractor-trailers and any combination of vehicles totaling more than 26,001 pounds. Class B covers single trucks and buses that weigh more than 26,001 pounds but are not part of a combination. Both require a medical certificate and a background check. If your job involves driving these vehicles, your employer typically directs you to a CDL testing location.

Class D: chauffeur's license

Class D is a chauffeur's license, issued to people who drive passengers for hire in a vehicle that does not meet the definition of a commercial vehicle. This includes limousine drivers, town car services, and some private car services. The requirements are similar to a Class C but include a background check and fingerprinting.

If you hold a Class D, you can still drive a personal vehicle as a Class C holder would, but your license specifically authorizes you to accept payment for driving passengers. A Class C license does not carry this permission.

Class E and F: other specialized licenses

Class E and Class F are less common and cover specific situations. Class E is sometimes issued for certain farm vehicles or other specialized purposes depending on Washington's current regulations. Class F covers vehicles operated by people with medical conditions that require special licensing. These classes are issued case-by-case and come with specific restrictions printed on the back of your card.

If your license shows Class E or F, the restrictions section on the back of your card will explain what you can and cannot drive. Follow those restrictions exactly — they are legally binding conditions of your license.

Class M: motorcycle license

Class M is a motorcycle-only license. In Washington, you can obtain a Class M by passing a motorcycle safety course and a riding skills test, or by passing the written and riding tests at the Department of Licensing. A Class M license permits you to ride motorcycles and motorized bicycles but does not permit you to drive a car.

Many people hold both a Class C and a Class M — the Class M is an addition to your standard license, not a replacement. If you hold only a Class M, you cannot legally drive a passenger car. If you hold a Class C and want to add a motorcycle endorsement, you take a separate test and your card will show both classes.

Restrictions and endorsements on your license

Your license class may be followed by restriction codes or endorsement letters printed on the front or back of your card. A restriction limits what you can do (for example, corrective lenses required, or no night driving). An endorsement adds permission to your class (for example, a hazmat endorsement for Class A or B drivers, or a motorcycle endorsement added to a Class C).

Read the back of your card carefully. If you see codes you do not understand, the Department of Licensing website lists what each code means. Violating a restriction or driving without a required endorsement can result in a ticket even if you are otherwise a safe driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a truck with a Class C license?

Yes, as long as the truck weighs less than 26,001 pounds and is not designed to carry more than 15 passengers. Most pickup trucks fall into this category. If the truck is heavier or is a commercial vehicle you are driving for work, you may need a different class.

What is the difference between a Class A and Class B commercial license?

Class A covers tractor-trailers and any combination of vehicles over 26,001 pounds. Class B covers single trucks or buses over 26,001 pounds that are not part of a combination. Class A is the highest commercial license and covers more vehicle types than Class B.

How do I add a motorcycle endorsement to my Class C license?

You must pass a motorcycle safety course or the Department of Licensing's written and riding tests. Once you pass, you can add the motorcycle endorsement to your existing Class C license. You will receive an updated card showing both classes.

What does it mean if my license has a restriction code?

A restriction code limits how or when you can drive. Common restrictions include corrective lenses, no night driving, or automatic transmission only. You must follow all restrictions on your license. Driving outside your restrictions is illegal and can result in a ticket.

Can I check my license class online without calling?

Yes. The Washington Department of Licensing website allows you to look up your driving record using your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Your record will show your current license class and any restrictions or endorsements.