Is CDL School Required in Washington?

We all have our ‘back in the day’ moments, especially as the world seems to move faster and faster every year. Back in the day, kids used to run outside after breakfast and not come home until the sun went down or the streetlights turned on. Back in the day, we’d walk to school — uphill both ways. Back in the day, we all had phone books on our coffee tables!

You may have some friends or family with CDLs that told you that you can just study for the exam using their old manuals or online guides. Back in the day… you could. That may be how they got their CDL, just by learning on their own and studying the content before registering to take the CDL exam. But, as of February 2022, Washington residents are now required to complete official CDL training through authorized programs like New Sound CDL School.

It can be frustrating to learn about red tape like this, especially if you were banking on self-training for the CDL exam. We’ll explain how this came about, the reasoning for it, and some benefits to it that many people don’t realize. As a CDL training school, our goal is to give you the most value we possibly can in order to set you up for a high-paying, successful career. Self-training can be great, but just wait until you see what partnering with New Sound CDL School can do for you.

Brief Overview of a CDL

A CDL is a Commercial Driver’s License. It lets you drive big vehicles like semi-trucks, buses, dump trucks, or delivery trucks. If you want a job moving freight, driving a bus, or working in construction, you’ll need this license in order to operate the vehicles. A CDL comes in different ‘classes’ that you can learn more about here:

• Class A: This is the highest class, it allows you to operate everything from school buses to semi-trucks hauling trailers.
• Class B: This class won’t allow you to haul large trailers, but qualifies you to operate buses, delivery trucks, and dump trucks.

To earn your CDL, you have to pass a written test and a skills test to ensure that you can safely handle these vehicles. The tests cover rules, safety, vehicle control, and inspections.

Why Is Training School Required to Take the CDL Exam?

Back in the day, people could study on their own and simply pay to take the test at the DMV. But things have changed. Now, completing training through an approved CDL school is required by law in Washington state.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) introduced a national rule in February of 2022 called Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). It states that new drivers must complete a certified training program before they can take the CDL skills test. Washington adheres to the rule, so you must attend a training school that’s listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry in order to qualify for the CDL exam.

So What Does this CDL Training Include?

At New Sound CDL School, you’ll receive formal training that teaches you everything you need to pass the test and start your career. Our training includes:

• Classroom Learning: Rules, safety, laws, and anything else you’ll need to know for the written CDL test.
• Hands-On Pre-Trip Inspections: Learn how to inspect the commercial vehicles for normal working order and safety before every trip.
• Backing Practice: Drive real commercial vehicles in our private practice lot to perfect your maneuvering and backing.
• On-Road Driving: Practice handling the vehicles on live streets with an instructor at your side.

Washington state requires a set number of training hours to be completed by each student:

• 160 training hours for a Class A CDL:
  
  • 40 hours of classroom instruction
  • 18 hours of street driving training
  • 16 hours of training in backing maneuvers
  • 16 hours of proficiency development
  • 70 hours of combined lab training, range training, and observation
• 80 total hours for a Class B CDL:
  
  • 40 hours of classroom instruction
  • 14 hours of street driving training
  • 8 hours of training in backing maneuvers
  • 8 hours of proficiency development
  • 10 hours of combined lab training, range training, and observation

The Benefits of CDL Training

Even if self-study was still allowed, going through New Sound CDL School is the better choice with all of the benefits it gives you. Here’s why:

1. You Learn from the Pros

At our school, you’ll learn from seasoned instructors with decades of driving experience in multiple countries, industries, and vehicles. They show you real skills, tips, and tricks that books and videos never could. They’ll also explain things in simple terms and answer any questions you might have. In fact, our instructors are multilingual and can speak Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian so you can learn tough concepts in your first language.

2. You Practice with Real Trucks

You don’t just read about it—you get behind the wheel. Our training yard has dedicated trucks and trailers that you’ll get to use until you’re comfortable behind the wheel. You’ll practice every skill you need for the exam so that it’s second nature by the time you have to be tested. This gives you vital experience before ever starting your first CDL job.

3. You Pass the Test Faster

CDL exams are hard. The pre-trip inspection is one of the toughest parts. At New Sound CDL School, we have an extremely high first-time pass rate of 80%! Our program will give you the confidence, knowledge, skills, and support to get your CDL faster and start your career as soon as possible.

4. You Get Help Landing a Job

Our mission is to help you find success beyond the CDL exam. That’s why we use our connections with companies like Swift, McLane, Sysco, and more to set students up with trusted partners that respect our program and the drivers we certify.

5. You Learn with Others

The culture at New Sound School is collaborative, fun, and welcoming. We work hard to make your training experience enjoyable and easy. You’ll be training alongside like-minded students with the same goals and ambitions as you.

What If You Can’t Afford It?

We understand that many people avoid school because they’re worried about the cost. It’s a big investment, but the reward will be even bigger. You can learn more about all of the different CDL jobs you can land after passing your exam and how much they pay here.

At New Sound, we make sure that money isn’t the reason you quit on a high-paying CDL career. We’ll help you find a way to pay with multiple financial assistance options available. To put things into perspective, the average student will make their money back after only three weeks at their new CDL job.

How Do I Start to Get My CDL?

Reach out to us for more information or to ask any questions you may have! Otherwise, here are the basic steps to starting your CDL training:

1. Get a DOT Medical Card and Drug Test
2. Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) from the DOL
3. Get Your Driving Record
4. Get Your Valid WA License and Social Security Card
5. Get Your Passport or Birth Certificate (or green card/work permit if not a U.S. citizen)

We can walk you through this process if it’s confusing or complicated, just reach out for help! You can learn more about these first steps here.

New Sound CDL School — The Best Training in Washington

While it can be a bummer to learn that you have to pay for a training school to take the CDL exam, there are huge benefits to it! Our team at New Sound does everything in their power to make sure that your investment brings you big rewards and success. We partner with you to deliver a 5-star training experience that will translate far beyond test day.Enroll today to begin your journey towards a new and exciting CDL career. Or reach out to us for more information or to simply chat — we’re here to help!