Who this course is for
You need Class A ELDT if you're applying for your first Class A CDL on or after February 7, 2022. Class A covers combination vehicles where the towed unit is rated (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds, which is how most tractor-trailer, flatbed, reefer, tanker and car-hauler jobs are licensed.
- New drivers heading into over-the-road, regional or local tractor-trailer work
- Drivers who want theory done before company-sponsored or private CDL school starts
- Career changers who'd rather study at home in the evenings than sit in a classroom
Already had a Class A CDL issued before February 7, 2022? ELDT doesn't apply to that license. Check the exceptions before you buy.
What the Class A theory course covers
FMCSA sets the minimum Class A theory curriculum in 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix A. Every registered provider has to cover all of it. Here's what you'll work through, grouped the way the federal curriculum groups it.
| Section | Topics you'll study |
|---|---|
| Basic operation | Orientation, control systems and dashboard, pre- and post-trip inspections, basic control, shifting and operating transmissions, backing and docking, coupling and uncoupling |
| Safe operating procedures | Visual search, communication, distracted driving, speed management, space management, night operation, extreme driving conditions |
| Advanced operating practices | Hazard perception; skid control and recovery, jackknifing and other emergencies; railroad-highway grade crossings |
| Vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions | Identifying and diagnosing malfunctions, roadside inspections, maintenance |
| Non-driving activities | Handling and documenting cargo, environmental compliance, hours of service, fatigue and wellness, post-crash procedures, external communications, whistleblower and coercion protections, trip planning, drugs and alcohol, medical requirements |
There's no federal minimum number of hours for theory. You pass by covering every topic and scoring at least 80% on the theory assessment.
Want a feel for the material first?
Try our free ELDT practice questions. They cover hours of service, space management, coupling, skids and more, with an explanation for every answer.
What you still need after theory
Class A ELDT has two parts. This course completes the first one. The second one is hands-on.
Class A theory (this course)
Online, self-paced, with an 80% minimum on the assessment. Your completion is reported to the Training Provider Registry.
Commercial learner's permit
Pass your state's knowledge tests, including combination vehicles and air brakes for most Class A jobs, to drive with a qualified CDL holder.
Class A behind-the-wheel training
Range and public-road training with a registered BTW provider. There's no federal minimum hours; your instructor certifies proficiency.
Skills test
Your state verifies your ELDT in the registry, then gives the pre-trip inspection, basic control and road test.
Watch the clock: once you finish the first part of ELDT, you have one year to finish the second. If theory comes first, plan your behind-the-wheel training inside that year. See typical timelines.
Is Class A the right course for you?
Choose by the vehicle you'll drive, not by the job title. A Class A CDL is required when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed unit is rated above 10,000 pounds. If you'll drive a single heavy truck with nothing heavy in tow, like a dump truck, box truck or bus, look at Class B. Adding hazmat to a Class A license? The Hazmat theory course is separate and theory only.
For interstate driving, federal rules require you to be at least 21. Many states let 18- to 20-year-olds hold a Class A CDL for in-state driving only. Check your state's rules before you plan your training.
Compare all 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 |
Class A questions
Is this course enough to take my Class A skills test?
Not by itself. Class A applicants also need range and public-road behind-the-wheel training from a registered provider. Your state checks for both before it gives the skills test.
Do I need my CLP before I start?
No. FMCSA doesn't require a commercial learner's permit before theory training. You'll need a CLP before you drive on public roads during behind-the-wheel training.
Can I use a Class A course if I'll mostly drive Class B vehicles?
Federal guidance says a driver who completes Class A training is eligible to take the Class B skills test as well. If you only want a Class B CDL, the Class B course is the direct route.
I'm upgrading from Class B to Class A. Is this the right course?
Upgrades need ELDT too, including behind-the-wheel. RapidELDT doesn't sell a dedicated upgrade course yet, so ask us before you buy and we'll confirm the right path.
Will my Class A school accept online theory from another provider?
Federal rules allow theory and behind-the-wheel from different registered providers, but some schools only enroll students in a bundled program. Ask your school before you buy. Our guide to starting ELDT before CDL school lists what to ask.