Class A Standard
4 Weeks or 8 Weekends · 160 Hours
September 19 weekend class — filling fast
Program Overview
The Class A CDL Standard Program is 160 hours of FMCSA-compliant training. Weekday format: 4 weeks. Weekend format: 8 weekends. You pay the school $6,045.00, 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 — we confirm your training locations with you before class starts. To enroll you need a valid WA driver's license, a passed DOT physical, a clean drug screen, and must be at least 18 years old.
The curriculum meets all ELDT requirements under 49 CFR Part 380: 40 hours classroom, 18 hours behind-the-wheel driving, 16 hours backing, 16 hours proficiency, and 70 observation hours. 98% of the students who start our programs graduate, and of those graduates who go on to take the CDL skills test, 96% pass it.
What You'll Learn
- ELDT theory and regulations
- Truckers Against Trafficking and whistleblower driver rights
- Safety systems and vehicle dynamics
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection
- Vehicle safety protocols
- Behind-the-wheel street driving
- Backing maneuvers and proficiency
Training Hours Breakdown
Meets FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements per 49 CFR Part 380.
| Classroom Instruction | 40 hrs |
| Behind-the-Wheel Street Driving | 18 hrs |
| Backing Maneuvers | 16 hrs |
| Proficiency Training | 16 hrs |
| Observation Hours | 70 hrs |
| Total Hours | 160 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 | $4,969.70 |
| Course Materials and Books | $150.00 |
| 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 | $375.30 |
| Total | $6,045.00 |
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.
Comparing Schools?
Make sure you're comparing total cost — not just tuition. Our fee table itemizes this program's total line by line, and lists separately what is paid direct to WA DOL, a testing vendor, or a medical provider, so you can see the whole picture before you enroll.
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 |
Save $548.61 when you pay in full
That is 10% off published tuition and course materials — with your sales tax dropping too — bringing your total to $5,496.39. Pay in full by cash, check or ACH at least 10 days before class starts.
Available to self-pay and employer-paid students. Not available where tuition is funded by WIOA, a private loan, or another third-party benefit or grant program.
Only one Taylor Made discount applies per enrollment — the payment-in-full discount cannot be combined with a promotional coupon. Applies to programs whose combined tuition and materials reach $3,900.
See Funding OptionsWays 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.
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