Class A CDL: A Professional's Guide to Its Career Benefits

A Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is like the master key that unlocks countless opportunities in the commercial driving industry. There are many Class A CDL jobs constantly available for well-trained and ambitious drivers. We’ll go over these jobs and opportunities in this article, while giving you an overview of exactly what a Class A CDL is, what it allows you to do, how difficult it is, how much it costs, and how long it will take you from start to finish.

New Sound CDL School in Fife, WA is the premier training academy in Washington state for potential drivers that are serious about launching a new career. Our team has multiple decades of experience as actual commercial drivers with educational training to deliver the highest degree of teaching for our students. We've put together a trustworthy resource for you that answers many questions regarding CDLs or the transportation industry at large. So let’s get into it!

What is a Class A CDL?

Commercial Driver’s Licenses are a specific license that permits individuals to operate a number of specialized heavy-duty vehicles for commercial use. The licenses are categorized into three classes; A, B, and C. Class A is the most comprehensive class and qualifies you to also operate vehicles that traditionally fall under the Class B and C categories.

Technically speaking, a Class A CDL permits you to drive vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, with the vehicle in tow exceeding 10,000 pounds. For example, some vehicles that this Class of CDL would allow you to operate are:

• Semi-Trucks / Tractor-Trailers
• Flatbeds
• Livestock carriers
• Tanker vehicles
• Double or triple trailers
• Buses
• Passenger vans
• Dump trucks
• Straight or box trucks

As you can see, the Class A CDL is incredibly versatile and opens the door to a wide variety of careers and industries for you. This class of commercial driver is a highly sought after professional field with countless companies across the US currently in need of quality drivers.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Class A CDL?

In order to obtain a CDL, you have to meet the necessary qualifications, go through accredited training, and pass a knowledge and skills exam. Among these requirements are:

1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to drive commercially within Washington State and 21 years or older to drive across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
2. Driver’s License: You must already have a valid state driver’s license with full privileges.
3. Medical Certification: You need to meet the medical requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and provide a valid medical certificate as proof.
4. Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): You must first acquire a CLP by passing the knowledge test and holding the permit for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
5. Training: Washington state requires at least 160 hours of training from a registered CDL training provider like New Sound CDL School in order to qualify for the exam.
6. CDL Exam: Pass the full CDL exam after meeting all of the above requirements and you’ll have obtained your license for commercial driving.

Which Industries or Jobs Can I Access With a Class A CDL?

One of the most popular jobs that Class A CDL holders pursue after acquiring their license is in long-haul trucking. You’ll be equipped to haul a variety of long-haul trailers, including flatbeds, refrigerated units, livestock carriers, and even hazmat material or tankers with additional endorsements. If you aren’t interested in the long-haul life, you’ll also have plenty opportunity to enter the construction industry with the ability to drive dump trucks or even at shipyards as what’s called an intermodal trucker. As we mentioned earlier, the Class A CDL also gives you access to jobs typically associated with the Class B or C licenses, like bus drivers and local delivery drivers. In short, this class of commercial driver’s license opens the door to opportunities in many, many industries, including agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and port logistics.

You can maximize your job opportunities and earning potential even further by adding endorsements that qualify you to drive specialized vehicles or cargo types. Each of these requires added training and testing:

• H Endorsement (Hazardous Materials / Hazmat): Equips you with the proper training to legally transport various hazardous materials and chemicals.
• T Endorsement: Allows you to haul double or triple trailers that are linked together.
• N Endorsement (Tank Vehicles): Permits you to legally operate and maintain tankers carrying liquid or gaseous materials.
• X Endorsement: This is an endorsement that allows you to combine your HazMat and Tanker training to haul hazardous liquids or gasses.

How Hard is it to Pass the Class A Exam?

While it’s no walk in the park, choosing a trusted CDL training school will give you all of the tools and experience necessary to confidently pass your exam on your first attempt and then prove to companies that you're skilled enough to be hired. You’re required to attend an accredited CDL training program with 160 hours of instruction in order to qualify for the Class A exam. At New Sound CDL School, this includes a combination of classroom teaching from seasoned veterans with education training, supervised street driving in modern trucks, and backing maneuver training in our secure, contained lots. You’ll learn general driving rules, safety standards and regulations, hands-on pre-trip inspection protocols, basic vehicle control, and much more. Our team of professional trainers is fluent in Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian, so you can learn difficult concepts in your native tongue if you need to.

At New Sound CDL School, 8 out of 10 of our students pass the CDL exam on their first attempt. Our program is trustworthy with the results to back it up. So, although the exam can be difficult, having the proper training from a team of experienced educators and drivers will prepare you to confidently launch your new career in commercial driving.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Class A CDL?

As we mentioned above, the Washington State Department of Licensing requires 160 hours of training in order to qualify for the Class A CDL exam. The New Sound CDL school breaks this into 4 weeks of training at 40 hours per week. Other schools in Washington might take other approaches, but our team has found that a full-time, one-month program is best for students to effectively learn what they need to know quickly. When compared to other careers with similar incomes to commercial Class A drivers, one month of training is an incredibly short period of time. Instead of spending years in school or as an apprentice, you can be on the road in just a month!

How Much Does a Class A CDL Cost?

The cost of getting a Class A CDL in Washington state includes fees for both testing and training. Here’s a breakdown of all of the relevant expenses required to begin your career as a commercial driver in Washington state:

• CDL Knowledge Test: $35
• Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): $40
• CDL Skills Test: $175
• CDL Training Program: The cost of a CDL training school in Washington state can range from around $4,000 to $6,000, but our Class A program at New Sound CDL is only $4,175 for automatic ​and $4,675 for manual vehicle training. Given all the extra value we provide in our professional instructors, newer fleet of vehicles to practice on, new fully paved practice lot, modern and comfortable facilities, and more, our students have told us that our prices are a great deal for what they get in return.

We understand that even with our rates being on the more affordable end, it’s still a lot of money to commit at one time. This is why our school offers financial aid options and scholarships to help cover the cost of our program. If you’re interested in these options, reach out to us today for more information to learn how we can help. 

Start Your Class A CDL Career

A Class A CDL in Washington will require time, effort, and a financial investment, but the rewards of a stable career can quickly make it all worth it. Obtaining a Class A CDL will enable you to drive a wide variety of commercial vehicles, giving you access to a broad range of job opportunities that are constantly seeking well-trained drivers. As the transportation industry continues to grow throughout agriculture, construction, retail, and even ports, so does the demand for professional drivers.

At New Sound CDL School, we provide comprehensive, hands-on training from seasoned educators to ensure you pass the Class A CDL exam at a high level of career-readiness. If you’re anywhere near the Seattle area and are ready to start your journey toward becoming a professional truck driver, apply today! Or simply contact us to learn more about the possibilities of a new career.

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