ELDT Federal Entry-Level
Driver Training Complete Guide
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is a mandatory federal training regulation established by the FMCSA for all first-time CDL applicants. Before you can schedule your DMV skills test, you must complete an ELDT program at an FMCSA-registered training provider and have your results submitted to the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR) — otherwise, the DMV will not allow you to take your road test.
What Is ELDT?
ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) is a standardized commercial driver training program mandated under 49 CFR Part 380, a federal regulation issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It became fully effective on February 7, 2022.
Before ELDT, individual states set their own standards — or none at all — for CDL training schools, leading to wide gaps in driver preparation quality. ELDT's core goal is to raise the baseline safety standard for all new commercial drivers and reduce accidents caused by inexperienced operators.
Under the rule, all affected applicants must complete their training at a school listed in the FMCSA's official Training Provider Registry (TPR). Once you pass the school's evaluation, the training provider is required to submit your completion record directly to the TPR federal database. The DMV checks that record automatically before scheduling your road test — you cannot submit it yourself.
If you're required to complete ELDT but haven't done so at a TPR-registered provider, the DMV will refuse to schedule your CDL skills test — regardless of whether you've already passed your knowledge exams and hold a valid Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
The Training Provider Registry (TPR) is the official FMCSA database that tracks all compliant training providers and each student's training completion status. The DMV queries the TPR in real time when you apply for a skills test. Because your school submits the results directly, you cannot upload or self-certify your own record.
The ELDT theory portion may be completed online if it is provided by an FMCSA-registered training provider that meets federal ELDT curriculum requirements; however, the Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) portion must be completed in person at a licensed training facility. There is no fully remote option for the driving component.
Who Must Complete ELDT?
ELDT does not apply to every CDL applicant. Below are the four groups specifically required to complete ELDT under federal regulations.
Anyone applying for a Class A commercial license for the very first time
Individuals applying for their first Class B CDL must complete the Class B ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training requirements before taking the CDL skills test.
Adding a Passenger endorsement to an existing CDL for the first time
Adding a School Bus endorsement to an existing CDL for the first time
Must complete Class A ELDT requirements, including theory and behind-the-wheel training, before taking the CDL skills test.
Qualifying active-duty or recently separated military members may be exempt based on their service record
H, N, and T endorsements have no ELDT requirement (though each requires passing its own knowledge exam)
Renewing an existing CDL before it expires does not require completing ELDT again
Transferring an existing CDL to a new state after relocating does not require ELDT
Quick check: if the following describes you, you need ELDT —
OR I already have a CDL, but I want to add a Passenger or School Bus endorsement to it for the first time.
If either of those applies to you, you must complete ELDT before you can take your DMV road test. Keep reading to learn how to find a registered provider and get started.
What Does ELDT Training Cover?
The FMCSA mandates two core training modules and specific topic areas that every ELDT program must include — training providers are not permitted to skip any of them.
The theory module covers operational knowledge and safety procedures. Students complete it through an FMCSA-approved online platform using credentials issued by their training provider.
The BTW module must be completed with an FMCSA-registered training provider using a representative commercial motor vehicle and qualified instructors meeting FMCSA requirements. It is divided into two stages: range training and public road training.
Applicants seeking a Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsement must complete the core ELDT curriculum above plus the relevant specialty module:
- • Passenger boarding, alighting, and evacuation procedures
- • Wheelchair securement device operation
- • Rules prohibiting hazardous materials in passenger areas
- • Safe driver-passenger interaction standards
- • Railroad crossing stop-and-check requirements
- • School bus stop arm and flashing light procedures
- • Minor passenger safety management
- • Emergency evacuation drill requirements
How to Complete ELDT: A Step-by-Step Guide
From your first knowledge exam to holding your CDL, the full ELDT process involves five steps and typically takes 4 to 7 weeks.
Pass Your CDL
Knowledge Exams & Get Your CLP
Start by passing the General Knowledge test (plus any endorsement written exams) to obtain your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). You must hold a valid CLP before you can begin ELDT behind-the-wheel training.
Find a TPR-Registered
Training Provider
Search the FMCSA Training Provider Registry to find FMCSA-certified schools in your state. You can filter by the specific endorsement type you need.
Complete Theory
& BTW Training
Work through the theory curriculum (available online) and complete your required behind-the-wheel hours at the school, then pass the provider's internal evaluation.
School Submits Your
Results to TPR
After you pass, your training provider uploads your completion record to the FMCSA TPR database. This typically takes 1–3 business days.
Schedule Your DMV
CDL Skills Test
Once your TPR record is confirmed, schedule your CDL skills test at the DMV (Pre-Trip Inspection, backing maneuvers, and road drive). Pass it and you'll receive your full CDL.
To obtain a CLP, applicants must pass the required knowledge tests for the CDL class and endorsements they are seeking, including General Knowledge and any applicable Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, or endorsement exams. A valid CLP is required before beginning behind-the-wheel ELDT training.
Use the FMCSA TPR database to locate a certified training school in your area and enroll.
Finish your theory coursework and behind-the-wheel hours, then pass the school's evaluation.
Your provider uploads your completion record automatically — typically within 1–3 business days.
Once your TPR record is confirmed, book your CDL skills test. Pass and you'll receive your full CDL.
Federal regulations require applicants to hold their CLP for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills test (required in most states). Use that window to complete your ELDT training — smart scheduling lets you avoid unnecessary delays.
How to Find an FMCSA-Registered ELDT Provider
Only training providers listed in the FMCSA TPR database can issue ELDT completion records that the DMV will accept.
Option 1: Search the FMCSA TPR Website
Visit the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry and search for certified providers in your state. You can filter results by the type of training (Class A, Class B, Passenger endorsement, etc.).
Visit the Official TPR DatabaseOption 2: Contact Your State DMV
Call or visit your state's DMV driver licensing office and ask for a list of recommended or recognized ELDT providers in your area. DMV staff can often point you toward well-established local schools.
Find your state DMV →Option 3: Community Colleges & Vocational Schools
Many community colleges and vocational-technical schools offer FMCSA-registered CDL programs at lower tuition rates than private driving schools — and some qualify for government grants or financial aid.
Learn about community college CDL programs →Look up the school by name on the FMCSA TPR website — a registered provider will appear in the results
A legitimate provider can share the FMCSA-assigned training provider ID number upon request
The school should clearly state that they submit your completion record directly to the FMCSA TPR system on your behalf
If a school only offers a paper training certificate or tells you to submit your own record, that provider is not compliant
ELDT Training Costs & Timeline
ELDT regulations do not set a minimum number of training hours — each certified provider designs its own schedule. Costs vary widely by region and school type. The figures below are general market estimates.
Many large trucking companies (such as Werner, Swift, and Schneider) offer company-sponsored CDL training programs: the carrier covers your tuition upfront, and you repay the cost through payroll deductions over 1–2 years of employment. Some contracts forgive remaining balances once you complete the commitment period.
- WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act): Apply through your state's American Job Center
- Federal Pell Grant: Available for eligible students in qualifying community college programs
- Veterans GI Bill Education Benefits: Eligible veterans may have their full training costs covered
ELDT Frequently Asked Questions
ELDT behind-the-wheel training must begin after you receive your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) — so knowledge exams come first. The theory portion of ELDT can be scheduled more flexibly, but BTW driving requires a valid CLP. The correct sequence is: General Knowledge test → receive CLP → complete ELDT → schedule DMV skills test.
No — ELDT cannot be completed entirely online. The theory (knowledge) portion can be taken through an FMCSA-approved online platform, but the Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) portion requires in-person training at a licensed facility with a certified instructor. There is no fully remote option for the driving component.
Training providers typically upload records to the TPR within 1–3 business days of your final assessment. Before scheduling your DMV skills test, it's a good idea to verify your TPR status directly on the FMCSA website to confirm the record is there — this helps you avoid being turned away at the DMV due to a sync delay.
Yes. ELDT is a federal requirement, and your completion record is stored in the FMCSA's national TPR database — not at the state level. As long as your training was completed at a TPR-registered provider and successfully uploaded, any state's DMV can verify it. State lines don't matter.
Current federal regulations do not set an expiration date on ELDT completion records — once uploaded to the TPR, the record remains valid indefinitely. However, your CLP typically expires after one year in most states, so plan your training timeline to avoid having to retake knowledge exams if your permit lapses before your road test.
Qualifying active-duty and recently separated military members may be eligible for an ELDT exemption. Under 49 CFR 383.77, veterans who operated Class A or Class B military vehicles can apply to have the ELDT requirement waived based on their service record. Specific exemption criteria may vary slightly by state, so check with your state DMV's veterans services office for details.
Yes — you must complete the Class A ELDT curriculum. Upgrading from Class B to Class A means applying for a new license class, and even experienced Class B drivers must complete the ELDT program for Class A combination vehicles. This is because combination vehicles (with a trailer) have significantly different handling characteristics than straight trucks, and federal regulations require dedicated safety training for that vehicle type.
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