Washington, The Truckers Resource

Washington Trucking Schools and Programs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the estimated annual salary for truck driving careers in Washington is $41,870. This is a salary higher than the average in the US, though you may be able to earn more depending upon the industry, the number of hours you work and more.

Another thing that the BLS reports is a growth of 21 percent or more over the coming 10 years for truck driving careers across the United States. This allows you to enjoy job stability and have your choice of many different jobs.

Some of the many industries found throughout Washington include agriculture, food and beverage, cement mixing, government and general trucking. It’s in your best interest to compare and contrast what each industry is about in terms of salary, benefits, schedules and more.

To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a commercial driver instruction permit (CDIP) in the state of Washington, you need to at least do the following:

For many, the Commercial Driver’s License is a gateway to opportunity, and, if you are looking to obtain your CDL in the state of Washington, you should know a few facts before applying. Washington State, in concordance with the rest of the nation, requires drivers to pass a series of tests, exams, and visual skill assessments in order to receive a commercial driver’s license.

To qualify for a CDL in Washington, you must be a minimum of 21 years of age and hold a regular driver’s license for civilian transportation purposes. For a Class A CDL, you must complete at least 160 hours of in-class and out-of-class commercial vehicle training.

Once you have completed the training, Washington State requires you to take a written and a visual test to complete your CDL certification. As with other written driving tests, this test is a basic assessment of your knowledge of vehicle facts, operation techniques, and driving procedures. After the written test is complete, the Washington state DMV will issue you a CDL permit. This permit is required to take the skills test.

In order to take the skills test, you must provide an appropriate commercial vehicle for the class you are testing to drive, a CDL skills test result form, a regular driver’s license, and insurance documents or a written permission letter from the vehicle owner to use the vehicle in the test. The skills test can last up to 2 hours and will cover all the necessary skills you will perform as a truck driver. From the pre-trip inspection to general driving and backing into the dock, the skills test will ensure that you are ready for the road.

In the state of Washington, a CDL can be revoked for a variety of reasons including convictions of driving under the influence, hit and run, driving a commercial vehicle with an invalid CDL, driving an out-of-service vehicle, violating commercial vehicle regulations regarding railroad tracks, or using a vehicle to commit a felony crime.

However, if your goal is to be a truck driver in the state of Washington, you must stay on the right side of the law and the right side of the road. With your written test and skills test completed, you will open the door to all the opportunities that truck driving brings. Use these tips to help you through the licensing process, and safe travels to you on the Evergreen State’s highways.

You may apply for a CDL or CDIP at any Washington state Department of Licensing Services Office. A CDIP allows you to practice driving a commercial vehicle as long as you are supervised by someone with the appropriate class of CDL sitting in the passenger seat.

The following fees are in addition to what you paid to get your basic driver’s license: