Start with the three things that can't be compromised
Before you compare videos, prices or apps, a course has to clear three checks. Fail any one of them and nothing else matters.
The provider is on the registry right now
Search FMCSA's Training Provider Registry for the provider's name and look for an online location. FMCSA has removed thousands of providers since December 2025, so check on the day you buy, not from an old screenshot.
It's listed for your exact training
A registry listing shows which theory courses a location offers, such as Class A, Class B, Passenger, School Bus or Hazardous Materials. A Class A listing doesn't cover hazmat.
Completion gets reported, not just "certified"
The provider must submit your completion to the registry by midnight of the second business day after you finish. A PDF certificate by itself doesn't satisfy your state.
Our provider verification guide walks through the registry search screen by screen.
The buyer's scorecard
Once a course clears the three checks, score it on what makes the difference to you. We've filled in our own answers. Where something depends on the provider's platform and we haven't verified it, we say so instead of guessing.
| Criterion | Why it matters | How to check | RapidELDT's answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current registry listing | Unlisted providers can't report your training | Search the TPR by provider name | Our training partner, SaferELDT, is on the registry. Search it yourself, or ask us for the listing details |
| Right course for your goal | Each license class and endorsement has its own curriculum | Match the course name to Appendix A, B or E | Separate Class A, Class B and Hazmat courses. Which one do I need? |
| Full federal curriculum | Every required topic must be covered | Ask for the topic list and compare it to the federal appendix | Topic tables on each course page: Class A, Class B, Hazmat |
| Assessment standard | The federal minimum is 80% overall | Ask how the assessment works and what happens if you score under 80% | 80% minimum. Ask us about retake rules before you buy. |
| Reporting process | Your state won't test you without it | Ask what details they need from you and when they submit | The provider submits to the registry after you pass, within the federal deadline |
| Clear, single price | Tiers and add-ons can hide the real cost | Look for certificate, retake or "express reporting" fees | One price per course: Class A $199, Class B $199, Hazmat $199 |
| Format you'll finish | Unfinished courses don't get reported | Ask for a sample lesson or screenshots | Online, self-paced. Ask us about devices and formats before you buy. |
| Access speed | You want to start today, not next week | Ask how and when access is delivered | Access instructions are emailed to your checkout email |
| Real support | Access or reporting problems need a person | Send a question before you buy and time the reply | Contact form on our help page, answered by a person |
| Fits your BTW plan | Some schools only accept theory they sell | Ask your BTW school or carrier first | Federal rules allow separate theory and BTW providers. Confirm your school's policy. |
How to use reviews without getting misled
Online ELDT reviews can tell you a lot about access emails, support response and whether completions showed up for real people. They can't tell you whether a provider is on the registry today. Weigh recent reviews over old ones, look for specific details over star counts, and treat any claim of "FMCSA-approved" or "government-certified" as a warning sign. The registry lists providers; it doesn't endorse them. Our guide to spotting fake courses covers the other red flags.
When a different course is the better choice
We'd rather you buy the right course than the wrong one from us. Look elsewhere, or ask us first, if:
- You need passenger, school bus or a Class B-to-A upgrade course. We don't sell those yet.
- Your CDL school requires you to buy theory from them as part of a bundle.
- Your employer already has a training provider set up for your company.
Compare our three courses
| Class A | Class B | Hazmat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | First-time Class A CDL applicants: tractor-trailer, flatbed, tanker and other combination-vehicle drivers. | First-time Class B CDL applicants: box trucks, dump trucks, refuse, concrete mixers, and large buses (passenger and school bus endorsements need separate training). | Drivers adding the hazardous materials (H) endorsement to a CDL for the first time. |
| Federal curriculum | Class A theory (49 CFR Part 380, Appendix A) | Class B theory (Appendix B) | Hazmat theory (Appendix E) |
| Behind-the-wheel also required? | Yes, range and public-road training with a registered BTW provider. | Yes, range and public-road training with a registered BTW provider. | No. Hazmat ELDT is theory only. |
| Must be done before | Your CDL skills test | Your CDL skills test | Your state's hazmat knowledge test |
| Price | $199 | $199 | $199 |
| Enroll | Enroll in Class A | Enroll in Class B | Enroll in Hazmat |
Sources
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry: Find a provider
- FMCSA: Selecting a training provider
- FMCSA: Training requirements FAQ
- 49 CFR 380.717: Training certification
Checked October 30, 2026.
Comparison questions
Should I trust online ELDT reviews?
Use them for clues about support and access problems, not as proof of compliance. A provider can have glowing reviews and still be removed from the registry. Always check the live registry listing yourself.
Does a more expensive course teach more?
Not necessarily. Every registered provider has to cover the same federal minimum curriculum. Price differences usually reflect format, support and platform, not extra required content.
Is RapidELDT the training provider?
No. RapidELDT sells and supports the course. SaferELDT delivers the training and reports your completion to FMCSA. We say that up front because you should know who's on the registry listing.
Can I switch providers partway through?
A provider can only report training it delivered, so switching usually means starting the new provider's course. Ask both providers before you switch.