Side by side, by license and endorsement
Every ELDT credential follows the same pattern: a theory curriculum, sometimes a BTW curriculum, and a test the state won't give until training is in the registry.
| Credential | Theory | Theory online? | BTW range | BTW public road | Done before |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL (new or upgrade) | Required | Yes | Required | Required | Class A skills test |
| Class B CDL | Required | Yes | Required | Required | Class B skills test |
| Passenger (P) endorsement | Required | Yes | Required | Required | P skills test |
| School bus (S) endorsement | Required | Yes | Required | Required | S skills test |
| Hazmat (H) endorsement | Required | Yes | Not required | Not required | Hazmat knowledge test |
RapidELDT sells online theory for Class A, Class B and Hazmat. For hazmat, that's the entire ELDT requirement.
Theory: the knowledge half
Theory teaches what a professional driver has to know before and beyond the controls. For Class A, that's five federal sections: basic operation, safe operating procedures, advanced operating practices, vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions, and non-driving activities like hours of service, cargo, fatigue and post-crash procedures. Hazmat theory covers its own set of topics, from placarding and loading to emergency response and route planning.
- Format: classroom, online or a mix. FMCSA allows the entire theory curriculum online when the content is delivered or prepared by qualified theory instructors.
- Pass mark: at least 80% overall on the theory assessment.
- Hours: no federal minimum. Every required topic must be covered.
- Permit: you don't need a commercial learner's permit to start.
Behind-the-wheel: the driving half
BTW is where knowledge becomes skill. It happens in two settings, and both are required for Class A, Class B, P and S.
Range training
On a course closed to public traffic: pre-trip inspection, backing, docking, coupling and uncoupling for Class A, and the basic control skills tested on skills day.
Public-road training
On real roads with a qualified instructor: turns, lane changes, intersections, railroad crossings, highway merges and hazard perception in traffic. You need a CLP for this part.
There's no minimum number of BTW hours. Your instructor decides when you've shown proficiency, and the provider reports your total BTW clock hours with your completion.
Online vs. in person: which parts can go where
Can be online
- All theory for Class A, B, P, S and H
- The theory assessment
- Simulator use as part of theory training
Must be in person
- BTW range training
- BTW public-road training
- Your state's skills test
Can theory and BTW come from different providers?
Yes. FMCSA allows theory and BTW to come from separate training providers, as long as both are listed on the Training Provider Registry for the training they deliver. Each provider reports its own portion, and your state looks for both before your skills test.
That flexibility is why many drivers finish theory online first. One catch: some schools only sell theory and BTW as a bundle. FMCSA specifically tells drivers to check this before enrolling with separate providers. Before you buy theory elsewhere, ask your school three things:
- Will you accept registered theory completed with another provider?
- Does your tuition change if I've already done theory?
- Can my BTW start within one year of finishing theory?
Schools that run theory and BTW separately can see how the two fit together in our page for CDL schools. Wondering how long each half takes? See how long ELDT takes.
Sources
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry: training requirements FAQ
- 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F: definitions and requirements
- 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix A: Class A curriculum
- 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix E: hazmat curriculum
- FMCSA: selecting a training provider
Checked October 30, 2026.
Theory and BTW questions
Can behind-the-wheel training be done with a simulator?
Simulators can be used in theory training, but behind-the-wheel training counts only when you have actual control of the vehicle on a range or public road.
Is online ELDT theory as valid as classroom theory?
Yes, if the provider is listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry for that theory training. The registry, not the format, is what your state checks.
Which comes first, theory or behind-the-wheel?
Either. FMCSA sets no mandatory order. For every credential except hazmat, finish the second part within one year of finishing the first.
Are there minimum hours for either part?
No federal minimum for theory or BTW. Theory requires an 80% assessment score. BTW requires your instructor to judge you proficient in every required skill. BTW clock hours are still recorded and reported.