Commercial Driver License

The Commercial Driver License (CDL) program is a standalone certification program that includes comprehensive, hands-on training on the road and in a driving simulator.

CDL

CDL

CDL

Upcoming Course Information

Due to demand, both sessions of CDL will be held in Centralia this summer. At this time, both sessions are full. Registration packets for fall quarter CDL can be dropped off no earlier than July 8.

CDL classes run from 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday. CDL session dates are published two quarters at a time and can be found in the CDL Session Dates Calendar. More detailed program information can be found in the CDL Information Sheet.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Bring a completed CDL Registration Packet to campus during the times listed below. Please refer to the CDL Session Dates Calendar for our upcoming course dates and registration deadlines. Registration is open until each session is full. More information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions on this page.

Days/Time: 8am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-12pm Friday
Location: CTE Office, TEC 114, 301 S. King St., Centralia

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.

Students must pass the knowledge test to obtain a CDL permit, complete the training requirements through our CDL course, then conduct and pass the CDL skills test. After passing the skills test, students can make an appointment with the Department of Licensing to obtain their CDL. 

Washington Department of Licensing CDL Information

How often is CDL offered?

We offer two sessions of CDL each quarter. Please refer to the CDL Session Dates calendar for specific dates. Each CDL session lasts 5 weeks and meets Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm. Spaces in each session are limited, so we encourage interested students to gather the required documentation for conditional acceptance well-in-advance of the registration packet acceptance dates listed in the CDL Session Dates Calendar.

Where do I turn in my registration packet?

Bring a completed registration packet to the Career & Technical Education Office in the Technology Building, Room 114. The office is located at 301 S. King Street Centralia, WA 98531. This process must be done in person. If you have an extenuating circumstance that prohibits you from coming to our office in person, please contact us immediately so we can best accommodate your situation.

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

Packet acceptance does not guarantee you a place in the session of your choice. Session spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with Session A of the upcoming quarter. Session dates are published two quarters at a time. Please refer to the CDL Session Dates calendar for specific packet acceptance, registration, and course dates.  If you are unavailable for a specific session/quarter due to the dates, please inform us when you turn in your packet. We will do our best to accommodate you.  

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 copy of their DOL Driver’s Abstract (three-year history), a completed Class Registration Form, the signed CDL Performance Contract, and the results of a DOT physical (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) during the packet acceptance window are considered conditionally accepted to the program. Conditional acceptance means that you have submitted all of the required documentation to be registered, but still must submit negative drug test results by the first day of class to be able to participate in class and operate a vehicle. Once the drug test results are submitted to the Career & Technical Education Office, you are considered fully accepted to the program. For more specific details about the required drug testing, 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. After your packet has been accepted, we will notify you of your session placement within 2-4 weeks. Students should consider making an appointment for the drug test to ensure completion of the 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 the courses.

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.  

Contact

Career & Technical Education
Tech (TEC) Building, Room 114
360-623-8963
cte@centralia.edu