You’ll learn to maneuver a commercial vehicle in different traffic conditions; operate a tractor-trailer combination; and navigate safely forward and backward around various obstacles. This course is designed to prepare students to take the State of Washington tests necessary to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License for the professional truck driving industry.

• 18 years of age older
• Pass federal Department of Transportation health and drug screening
• Valid Washington driver's license
• No DUI, hit and run, reckless, or negligent infractions within the past five years
• Have no more than three moving violations in the last three years

Degree: Certificate of Completion
Emphasis: Commercial Driver License
Credits: 12

Students enroll in and take just one class - CDL 100 Commercial Truck Driving. The class is offered every quarter. Space is limited, so students are encouraged to register early and ask about waitlist options.

Students who successfully take and pass the Washington exam for a CDL are qualified for a wide variety of transportation positions across a variety of fields. A 2017 American Trucking Association report noted a need for almost 900,000 new drivers to meet demand. That spells job security and negotiating power for adults with a Commercial Driver’s License.

How often is CDL offered?

We offer two sessions of CDL during fall, winter, and spring quarter. We offer only one session of CDL in the summer. Each CDL session lasts 5 weeks and is scheduled to meet Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm. Spaces in each session are limited, so we encourage interested students to begin gathering the required documentation for registration well-in-advance of open registration (dates listed in the registration packet).

Where do I register?

Registration must be done in person inside the Career & Technical Education Office in the Technology Building, Room 114. The office is located at 301 S. King Street Centralia, WA 98531.

How can I guarantee that I am accepted into a specific session?

If you have extenuating circumstances that require you to register for a specific session, we suggest preparing your registration packet well-in-advance and turning it into the Career & Technical Education Office as early as possible on the first day of open registration (dates listed in the registration packet). Session spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with Session A. If you are unavailable for a specific session due to a scheduling conflict, please specify with “N/A” on the CDL Registration Documents Checklist Form in your registration packet. We will do our best to place you in the desired session if space still allows.

What is Conditional Acceptance?

Students who are 18 years or older and have submitted a copy of their valid WA State Driver’s License, a completed Class Registration Form, the CDL Performance Contract, a copy of their DOL Driver’s Abstract (three year history), and the results of a DOT physical (medical examiner’s certificate) during the open registration window are considered conditionally accepted to the program. Conditional acceptance means that you have submitted all of the required documentation to register, but still must submit negative drug test results by the first day of class. Once the drug testing results are submitted to the Career & Technical Education Office, you are considered fully accepted to the program. For more specific details about the drug testing required, please see the CDL Physical & Drug Screening page of the registration packet.

When can I schedule and submit the drug screening?

Students must submit a negative drug test completed between 1 and 30 days prior to the session start date. Drug tests completed more than 30 days before the class will not be accepted. Students should consider making an appointment to ensure completion of the drug testing requirements on time. If a student fails to provide a negative drug test by the first day of class, the student will not be allowed to operate a vehicle and will be subject to immediate removal from the program. Students should turn in their registration packets (without drug test results) as soon as possible to be conditionally accepted into the class. In order to be fully accepted into CDL 100, the drug test results must be submitted by the first day of class. For more specific details about the drug testing required, please see the CDL Physical & Drug Screening page of the registration packet.

Where can I get a DOT Physical?

You may schedule a DOT physical through any location of your choosing. We have compiled a list of local testing facilities on the CDL Physical & Drug Screening page of the registration packet for reference. Students should consider making an appointment to ensure completion of the testing requirements on time for registration.

The class I want to take is full. Can I be added to an interest list?

Yes, you can call the Career & Technical Education Office (360-623-8963) to be placed on an interest list. We call students on a first-come, first-served basis from the interest list if an opening occurs. An opening may occur on the first day of class, so students need to be prepared to submit all of the required paperwork to register immediately following acceptance of the offer. The student must also be prepared to pay and attend class the day after being offered the opening.