The Class A CDL course requires 160 mandatory hours and is typically completed in 23 days for our day classes. Night classes take 8 weeks to complete.
Days Classes are Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30
Night Classes are Monday- Friday 5-9PM
Week 1
Consists of a complete review of the Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) manual that includes oral reading, discussion and explanation of the state laws and rules for commercial drivers. The class will discuss information that will be on the Washington written exam as well as the information needed to pass the Air Brake and Combination Vehicles exams for Class A vehicles.
Students review the CDL manual using videos and practice exams that test the knowledge of students prior to taking the State written exams. Additionally, each of the endorsements are explained, discussed and students are pre-tested for their knowledge.
Week 2
This week is designed to familiarize students with the pre-trip inspection and basic driving techniques needed to pass the State skills test and basic backing procedures of a commercial vehicle. Students will practice basic backing, driving and vehicle skills that include:
Backing maneuvers: straight backing, angle backing, parallel parking and backing into docks
Coupling and uncoupling a semi-tractor and trailer
Adjusting the air brakes
In-town driving
Week 3 and 4
These weeks consist of additional practice needed to enhance their driving skills. Driving is completed with two students per instructor on a semi-tractor and trailer with a non-synchronized 10 and/or 13 speed transmission. Students practice shifting up and down through the gears, backing, in-town driving and complete vehicle inspections. Each student will have the opportunity to drive a semi-tractor with a:
40 foot flatbed
45 foot drop deck trailer
48 foot van trailer
50 foot refrigerated van trailer
Under the guidance of the qualified instructor, students will drive the commercial vehicle on short day trips learning how to handle various trailers on two lane roads, interstates, steep grades and stopping at Washington State scales. Each student will learn how to safely couple and uncouple trailer(s).
Class A CDL
$5190 + WA State Sales Tax
40 Hours of Classroom
32 Hours of Real-World Driving (vs. 18 hours of Competitors)
18 Hours of Backing
20 Hours of Pre-Trip Inspection
50 Hours of Observation
Class B CDL
$4470 + WA State Sales Tax
The Class B CDL course requires 110 mandatory hours and is typically completed in eighteen days.
Week 1 and 2
The first two weeks complete a full review of the Washington State Commercial Driver’s License manual that includes: oral reading with discussion and explanation of the state laws and rules for commercial drivers. The class will cover information needed to pass the Washington written exam, Air Brake exam and general Class B vehicle information. Further review of the CDL manual is completed using videos and practice exams to test student knowledge prior to taking the State written exams. Each of the applicable endorsements are explained, discussed and pre-tested to prepare students for applicable exams.
Week 3 and 4
The remainder of the course consists of practice: driving a school bus with an automatic transmission, pre-trip inspections and driving tasks required to pass the Washington State DOL skills test. Students are familiarized with the inspection and handling of a commercial vehicle that covers the basics of school bus driving and prepares them for the State driving exam.
Additional practice and techniques include: Backing maneuvers of 45° angle, parallel parking, and into loading docks & in-town driving.
60 hours of Classroom
26 Hours of Driving
14 Hours of Backing
10 Hours of Pre-Trip Inspections
Up to 31 Hours of optional Observation
Requirements:
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid Washington State or Oregon State drivers license.
Applicants must meet the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations for obtaining a CDL, common approved documents are as follows: Valid US passport, US birth certificate, valid permanent resident card, certificate of US citizenship.
Applicants must meet the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations for acquiring a DOT physical and DOT drug test with negative results. The physical can be obtained from your personal physician or a local clinic, but must be completed on the DOT form. We use Smiley MD.
Hazardous Materials endorsement is covered in 16 hours over two training days that occur every 4 weeks as required . 8 Hours of videos covering the basics of hazardous materials and preparation for the DOL written test. 8 Hours of taking practice tests and reviewing- followed by safety info. You must be 18 years of age to take the class. You will need to be fingerprinted in order to add the endorsement to your license. Click here to schedule fingerprinting.
Hazardous Materials
$300 + WA State Sales Tax
