Program Overview
Our flagship comprehensive program bundles the Standard, Intermediate, and Advanced Class A CDL courses into one career-ready package. You'll graduate with the full 160-hour ELDT-compliant certification plus 80 hours of advanced professional development — setting you apart from day one.
Total program: 240 hours over 6 weeks (weekdays) or 12 weekends. You pay the school $8,285.00, covering registration, tuition, books, drug test, DOT physical, knowledge test, CLP and one skills-test attempt. The fee table below itemizes every line of that figure, and lists the costs that sit outside it. Classroom instruction is held at our Burlington, WA campus (650 N Burlington Blvd); behind-the-wheel training is held in Burlington or at our Ferndale site, depending on your class, and we confirm your training locations with you before class starts. Must be 18+, hold a valid WA driver's license, pass DOT physical and drug screening.
What You'll Learn
- ELDT theory, regulations, and federal compliance requirements
- Truckers Against Trafficking and whistleblower driver rights
- Vehicle systems, safety controls, and hours-of-service overview
- Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection
- Behind-the-wheel street driving
- Backing maneuvers and basic control skills
- Defensive driving principles and weather awareness
- Cargo securement fundamentals
- Trailer coupling and uncoupling
- Chaining procedures and adverse weather operation
- Professional communication and customer service
- Advanced road driving in varied traffic and industrial environments
- Tight-space backing, alley-dock, and blind-side maneuvers
- Load awareness and how cargo weight affects braking and handling
- Trip planning, route selection, and safe parking strategies
- Professional behavior at shipper and receiver locations
- Fatigue awareness, decision-making, and stress control
Training Hours Breakdown
Includes FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements per 49 CFR Part 380, plus Intermediate and Advanced development courses.
| Standard Program (Class A) | 160 hrs |
| Intermediate Development Course | 40 hrs |
| Advanced Development Course | 40 hrs |
| Total Hours | 240 hrs |
Your Investment
Transparent Pricing. Bundled Program. No Surprise Fees.
The total below covers registration, tuition, books, drug test, DOT physical, knowledge test, CLP and skills testing. It is not everything you will pay: retest fees and the conditional fuel surcharge are billed by us but sit outside it, the WA State Skills Test Payment Fee of $5.25 per skills-test payment is a state charge outside it (see the note under the fee table), and two more fees are paid directly to WA DOL: your driving record ($15, required as part of the application process) and your CDL card (~$37–$130, prorated to your license renewal cycle). Details are listed below the fee table.
| Registration Fee | $100.00 |
| Tuition | $6,774.51 |
| Course Materials and Books | $500.00 |
| Drug Test | $50.00 |
| DOT Physical | $150.00 |
| Knowledge Test (1 attempt) | $35.00 |
| Commercial Learner's Permit | $40.00 |
| Skills Test (1 attempt) | $175.00 |
| Sales Tax | $460.49 |
| Total | $8,285.00 |
Not included above: the WA State Skills Test Payment Fee of $5.25 per skills-test payment. Course Catalog v5.2 v3 lists it under Other Costs, outside Total Paid to School.
If you already have your medical certificate or commercial learner permit, those costs will be removed from your total.
Other Costs Paid Direct to WA DOL
These fees are not included in the tuition above. They are paid directly to the Washington State Department of Licensing.
| WA Driving Record (MVR / full abstract)paid direct to WA DOL | $15 |
| Final license fee (CDL card)paid direct to WA DOL after passing skills test; exact amount set by DOL based on license expiration date | ~$37 – $130 |
See current WA DOL fee schedules: driving records · commercial driver licenses.
If Additional Time Is Needed
Retest fees ($175/attempt skills test · $35/attempt knowledge test), makeup sessions for unapproved absences, and 1:1 tutoring are billed separately. Most students complete the program without these — they depend on individual progress.
Additional Charges (Only If They Apply to You)
These are not included in the tuition above and do not apply to every student.
| Fuel Surchargecharged for any week your class is running while diesel is above $6.00 a gallon, and not otherwise. Check the current price before you enroll — the link below is the index we use.Diesel price tracked against the U.S. EIA weekly West Coast (PADD 5) ultra-low-sulfur on-highway diesel price, published weekly. | $30.00/week |
| Lodgingoptional, and only if you need it. Call the office and we can arrange a room at our negotiated rate. | varies |
Ways to Pay
There may be funding support available. Employers cover it for some students. Others qualify for state or federal programs. Some use a 529 plan. Check out our funding page for options to explore.
Prices reflect Burlington location (8.9% sales tax). Ferndale rates may vary slightly.
Traveling From Out of Town?
Preferred hotel partner from $68/night — 5 minutes from campus.
Related Programs
Class A Standard
4 Weeks or 8 Weekends
Our 160-hour entry-level Class A CDL program — the foundation included in the Advanced Professional package.
Class A Intermediate
1 Week or 2 Weekends
A 40-hour add-on course building on Standard training with advanced backing and mountain driving.
View All Programs
Browse our complete course catalog.