expert guide: How to Get Your CDL

Resources and Steps for Your CDL Success

WA's Highest CDL Pass Rate

Certified CDL Instructors

Job Placement Assistance

Modern Trucks and Training Lot

At New Sound CDL School in Fife, WA, we have several CDL training programs to fit your goals and schedule.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading for more job opportunities, we have the right class for you. Our programs are hands on, taught by experienced instructors and designed to help you pass your Washington State CDL exam on the first try. With the highest first time pass rate in Washington, you can feel confident you’re choosing the best school to start your trucking career.

Explore each program below and learn the steps to getting started!

How to Get Your CDL in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1

Complete a DOT Medical Exam and DOT Drug Test

You’ll need to get a valid DOT medical card and DOT drug test from a DOT certified clinic.

This is really simple, you just need to find a doctor's office near you that is qualified to do this.

When setting up your appointment with them, tell them you need a DOT physical exam and a DOT drug test.

Passing the physical exam will give you your DOT medical card and passing your drug test will allow you to participate in the mandatory behind-the-wheel training in our course.

Step 2

Get Your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

Now you're ready to take the knowledge tests at your local Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) office!

Class A is a 3-part test: General Knowledge (50 questions), Air Brakes (25 questions) and Combination Vehicles (20 questions).

Class B is a 2-part test: General Knowledge (50 questions) and Air Brakes (25 questions).

If you need a study guide, here is a great app that we recommend:

Download the CDL Prep app to
study and practice for the CLP:

Google Play Apple Store

To schedule the test, find your local DOL office. Set up an appointment via phone call or online scheduling. You'll need to request a commercial driver knowledge test.

Once you pass your test, they'll give you a paper permit there on the spot. You're now ready to continue to step 3!

Step 3

Enroll at New Sound CDL School

Congrats! You're now officially ready to start your CDL course!

To be clear, you can either enroll for our school in step 3, or you can enroll before you even start step 1 if you want to get your spot secured in our upcoming class. Up to you!

In the course we'll teach you everything you need to know and more, both in the classroom and behind the wheel. We’ll help guide you through the entire process, from paperwork to passing your CDL exam.

Documents needed for enrollment:

Driving Record (you can request this from the DOL)
DOT Medical Card and Drug Screen (let us know if you don't have these yet, we'll just need them before you begin your course)
Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) (same with this, you'll just need it before you begin the course)
Washington State Driver's License
Social Security Card
U.S. Citizens: U.S. Passport or Birth Certificate
Non-U.S. Citizens: Green Card or Work Authorization

Enroll Now

Step 4

Complete the Course and Take the CDL Exam

Complete our course with the required amount of hours to meet DOT regulations.

Pay the DOL fee for the CDL exam and we'll schedule your final DOL Skills test!

Step 5

Get Your License and Start Your Career

After passing your CDL exam, you'll have to wait 24 hours before you can bring all your documents to the DOL and pick up your new Commercial Driver's License.

Don't wait too long! You only have 3 months to pick up your license after passing the exam.

Let us know if you need help finding a job, we network with a number of reputable carriers in the area and can connect you with the right people to apply!

Other Helpful CDL Resources

Washington State Commercial Driver Guide (PDF)Commercial Driver License Manual - Supplement (PDF)

Our Students Rate Us Washington's Top-Rated CDL School!
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Explore Our CDL Courses Led by
Professional Instructors

СDL Class A Manual

$4975

A-MANUAL DETAILS

CDL Class A Automatic

$4675

A-AUTO DETAILS

CDL
Class B

$4175

CLASS B DETAILS

CDL
Upgrades

$3975

UPGRADE DETAILS

Teachers

Dave Rodriguez

Education Manager WA State Certified Commercial Truck Driving Instructor

Dave has twenty years of experience driving commercial and military trucks pertaining knowledge of driving in three different countries. He is an experienced Instructor with over 10 years in the education field training military personnel along with future commercial drivers. A few combination vehicles to list are dry van, reefer, dump truck and pup, side dump, belly dump, wrecker, low boy, flat bed, in between others.

Lisa Osborn

WA State Certified Commercial Truck Driving Instructor

Lisa has eleven years of experience driving commercial vehicles including, Dump Truck and Pup, side dump, container chassis, dry van, line man truck, box truck, and oil tankers. She has eleven years of commercial driving accident free.

Michael Laurence Trelly

WA State Certified Commercial Truck Driving Instructor

Michael has Sixteen years of experience driving commercial vehicles including, tanker, dry van (28 ft., 48 ft., 53 ft.), container chassis, and side dump.

Gary Logan

WA State Certified Commercial Truck Driving instructor

Gary has fifteen years of experience driving commercial vehicles. Five years in the UK and 10 in the United States; Curtain-side, Refrigerated, Dump truck, Tractor-trailer, Automated side load, Rear Load, Front load, Roll-off, Container. Pertaining over 15 years of commercial driving accident free.

Ivan Tobilko

WA State Certified Commercial Truck Driving instructor

Ivan has five years of experience driving commercial vehicles including reefer, dry van, passenger, and box truck.

Let’s Be Friends

Call us today at 253-777-3800!

Or click below to send us a message and we'll be sure to respond to you quickly!

As Washington state's top CDL school, we're always willing to give a tour and show you how your experience will be. Reach out today!

CONTACT US

Step Into A High-Demand Career!