Commercial Truck Driving

Five weeks to one quarter Certificate of Training

This program offers mostly hands-on courses with a few hybrid courses. See course descriptions for more information.

Program Description:

Students prepare for entry-level employment as commercial truck drivers with the goal of earning their Class A or Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with the Doubles/Triples, Tanker and Hazardous Materials endorsements. The Commercial Truck Driving program prepares future commercial motor vehicle operators for their Washington State Department of Licensing tests by providing classroom instruction, closed range and public road driving practice, backing skills preparation and commercial vehicle inspection (Pre-Trip) training. Bates Technical College is the only CDL training school in Washington State with a closed course (off public road) driving range and also utilizes a high tech commercial truck simulator. Students train on both manual and automatic transmission commercial vehicles.

For program costs and fees refer to the catalog TUITION AND FEES PAGE.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Learn, develop and demonstrate the skills tested in the Commercial Drivers License tests conducted by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Exhibit an ability to think critically about transportation problems, communicate effectively, and perform as an accountable professional
Demonstrates honesty, integrity and reliability.
Meets and maintains employment eligibility criteria, such as drug/alcohol-free status, clean driving record, etc.
Display professional, ethical behaviors as a commercial motor vehicle driver
Construct and maintain required CMV logbook/DVIR documentation
Demonstrates proper hooking/unhooking of trailers, cargo handling, weight distribution and securement safely by utilizing common CMV tools
Recognize, avoid or solve potential hazardous situations related to truck driving.
Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.