Since February 2022, federal regulations require Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) for anyone applying for a first-time Class A or Class B CDL, upgrading from Class B to Class A, or adding a Hazmat (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsement for the first time. You cannot take the skills test without an ELDT certificate.
What ELDT includes
ELDT has two components: theory (classroom or online instruction covering vehicle systems, safety, hours of service, fatigue, post-crash procedures, and trip planning) and behind-the-wheel (on a closed range and on public roads, in a vehicle representative of the class you're testing for). There is no minimum number of training hours specified in the federal rule — the requirement is that the curriculum be completed and the trainee demonstrate proficiency on each topic.
Registered providers
ELDT must be completed at a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). Anyone — community colleges, private CDL schools, trucking carriers, owner-operators with one truck — can register as a provider, but they must self-certify that they meet the federal curriculum and equipment requirements. Always verify your provider is on the TPR before paying.
Cost
Private CDL school ELDT for a Class A typically costs $4,000 to $7,500. Community college programs (where available) run $1,500 to $4,500. Carrier-sponsored ELDT is often free in exchange for a 1- to 2-year employment commitment. Hazmat-only ELDT is theory-only and typically costs $50 to $150.
Reciprocity and transfers
An ELDT certificate completed through any registered provider is valid in all states. If you complete training in one state and take your skills test in another, the receiving state must accept your TPR-registered certificate. Read our how-to-apply guide for the full sequence.