Frequently Asked Questions

Washington state requires a minimum of 160 hours of training for a Class A CDL and 80 hours for Class B. At NSTS, our Class A programs (both Manual and Automatic) run 160 hours over 4 weeks full-time (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm). Our Class B program is 80 hours over 3 weeks. Evening schedules are available and take approximately 6 weeks. You’ll also need to factor in 1–2 weeks to study for and pass your CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit) knowledge test before training begins.

No prior commercial driving experience is required. You do need a valid Washington state driver’s license (standard Class D). Our training is built for complete beginners — we start with the fundamentals of vehicle inspection, basic controls, and backing maneuvers before progressing to road driving on our Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 training trucks. Our 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio means you get personalized coaching from day one.

Per the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL): you must be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within WA only) or 21 for interstate driving. You need a valid Washington driver’s license, a Social Security number, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency, and a current DOT medical certificate. You must also pass a drug screening. You cannot have a lifetime driver license disqualification. We walk every student through this checklist before enrollment so there are no surprises.

A CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit) is the first step toward your CDL. You take a knowledge test at a Washington DOL office covering general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles (for Class A). The fee is $40 and you need an 80% score to pass. Your CLP is valid for 180 days and you must hold it for at least 14 days before you can take the CDL skills test. We recommend studying the official Washington CDL manual for 1–2 weeks before taking the test.

A Class A CDL lets you drive combination vehicles (tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, flatbeds, tankers) with a gross combination weight of 26,001+ lbs. A Class B CDL covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs — dump trucks, box trucks, buses, and concrete mixers. The key difference: a Class A license also lets you drive all Class B vehicles, but not the other way around. Class A drivers in Washington earn an average of $78,924/year (per Glassdoor) compared to $42,000–$58,000 for Class B, and have access to far more job opportunities.

We recommend Manual transmission training if you can. Here’s why: when you test on a manual truck, your CDL has no transmission restriction — meaning you’re qualified to drive both manual AND automatic trucks. If you test on an automatic, your license carries an automatic-only restriction that limits your job options. That said, our Automatic program is excellent for students targeting modern fleet carriers (most new trucks are automatic) or anyone who finds manual shifting difficult. The Manual program is $4,500 and the Automatic is $4,000, both 160 hours.

Washington state requires Class A training to include at least 40 hours of classroom instruction, 18 hours of street driving, 16 hours of backing maneuvers, 16 hours of proficiency development, and 70 hours of combined lab, range, and observation time — totaling 160 hours minimum. At NSTS, our curriculum covers FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations, pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle controls, backing skills (straight-line, offset, alley dock), city and highway driving, and full CDL exam preparation. You train on the same equipment you’ll drive professionally.

Full-time: Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm — complete Class A in 4 weeks or Class B in 3 weeks. Evening classes are available for students who need to keep working during the day — same total hours (160 for Class A, 80 for Class B) spread over approximately 6 weeks. Call us at (253) 210-0505 to discuss which schedule works for your situation.

Class A Manual: $4,500. Class A Automatic: $4,000. Class B: $3,000. CDL Upgrade (B to A): $3,975. On top of tuition, you’ll have government fees: $40 for your CLP permit, $175 for the skills test, $102 for the CDL license, and $17 per endorsement (totaling roughly $317 in state fees). Your DOT physical runs $75–$150 at a certified medical examiner. NSTS requires 50% down on the first day and accepts cash, credit card, and money order with no credit card fees.

Yes — we help many students secure funding that covers part or all of their tuition. Options include: WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) grants through WorkSource Tacoma, which is a federal workforce grant that can cover 100% of training costs for eligible candidates. Amazon Career Choice — Amazon warehouse and fulfillment employees in the Puget Sound area can apply this employer benefit toward CDL training. Boeing employee education assistance. Climb Credit and Paramount Capital student loans. Carrier-sponsored training from partners like Swift, who cover tuition in exchange for a post-graduation driving commitment. Many of our students pay zero out of pocket. Call us to find out what you qualify for before you enroll.

We facilitate job placement with top carriers before and after graduation. NSTS partners directly with Swift, UPS, FedEx, Werner, J.B. Hunt, Schneider, XPO, Estes, Penske, and Covenant — recruiters from these companies visit our school regularly. Our 95% job placement rate reflects real hiring outcomes, not just referrals. Many graduates receive offers before they finish training. The Puget Sound freight market is strong thanks to the Port of Tacoma, Amazon distribution centers, and heavy I-5 corridor traffic.

With a Class A CDL: over-the-road (OTR) long-haul, regional routes, dedicated routes, intermodal (port container hauling — especially strong near the Port of Tacoma), flatbed, tanker, and refrigerated freight. With a Class B CDL: local delivery, dump truck operations, transit/bus driving, and concrete mixing. Adding endorsements expands your options further — HazMat lets you haul hazardous materials, Doubles/Triples qualifies you for carriers like UPS and FedEx running double trailers on the I-5 corridor, and Tanker opens up fuel delivery and chemical transport.

Washington pays above the national average for truck drivers. Entry-level Class A drivers typically start at $48,000–$58,000/year. The statewide average for Class A CDL holders is approximately $79,000/year (per Glassdoor). Experienced OTR drivers with endorsements can earn $85,000–$100,000+. Local Class B drivers typically earn $42,000–$58,000. Adding a HazMat endorsement alone can boost your pay by $5,000–$10,000 annually. The Puget Sound region (Tacoma, Seattle, Everett) pays at the top of all ranges due to port traffic and cost-of-living adjustments.

The Washington CDL skills test has three parts: (1) Pre-trip vehicle inspection — you walk around the truck calling out each component and what you’re checking for. (2) Basic vehicle control (backing maneuvers) — straight-line back, offset back, and either parallel park or alley dock. (3) On-road driving test — a scored drive on public roads evaluating lane position, mirror usage, shifting, speed management, turns, and intersection behavior. You must pass all three. The skills test fee is $175 and covers up to 2 attempts. NSTS students train on the same trucks and roads they’ll face on test day.

Your Washington CDL is valid for 6 years and renews on the same cycle as your regular driver’s license. You must keep a current DOT medical certificate on file at all times — if it expires, your CDL gets downgraded. HazMat endorsements require renewal with a new TSA background check every 5 years. The CDL renewal fee is approximately $102.

We’re at 7402 Pacific Hwy E, Tacoma, WA 98354 — right off I-5 and Highway 99 with free parking. We serve students from Tacoma, Seattle, Fife, Milton, Everett, and across the Puget Sound region. Our facility includes a classroom, training yard for backing practice, and on-road training routes. We’re open Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm. Walk-in tours are welcome anytime during business hours — no appointment needed.

Your valid Washington driver’s license, your CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit), your DOT medical certificate, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and your tuition payment (50% down required on day one). If you haven’t gotten your CLP or DOT physical yet, call us at (253) 210-0505 and we’ll help you get those taken care of before your start date.