RapidELDT course prices
Each RapidELDT course is one payment and covers the complete federal theory curriculum for its license or endorsement. There are no tiers that teach the same material at different prices.
-
First-time Class A CDL applicants: tractor-trailer, flatbed, tanker and other combination-vehicle drivers.
- Online theory curriculum built on FMCSA's Class A minimum topics
- Assessment with the federal 80% minimum passing score
- Completion submitted to FMCSA's Training Provider Registry by the training provider
-
First-time Class B CDL applicants: box trucks, dump trucks, refuse, concrete mixers, and large buses (passenger and school bus endorsements need separate training).
- Online theory curriculum built on FMCSA's Class B minimum topics
- Assessment with the federal 80% minimum passing score
- Completion submitted to FMCSA's Training Provider Registry by the training provider
-
Drivers adding the hazardous materials (H) endorsement to a CDL for the first time.
- Online theory curriculum built on FMCSA's hazmat (H) minimum topics
- Assessment with the federal 80% minimum passing score
- Completion submitted to FMCSA's Training Provider Registry by the training provider
The full cost of getting a CDL, line by line
Online theory is one piece. The table shows every common cost between you and a new CDL, who sets it, and what changes it. Fees set by states change, so confirm current amounts with your licensing agency.
| Cost | Who needs it | What you pay | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELDT theory (online) | New Class A, Class B and H applicants | RapidELDT: Class A $199, Class B $199, Hazmat $199 | Course format (reading, video, narration), support, platform |
| Behind-the-wheel training | New Class A and Class B applicants (not H) | Set by each school or carrier program | Hours needed to reach proficiency, equipment, whether it's bundled with theory, carrier sponsorship |
| CDL school (bundled) | Drivers who want theory and BTW from one provider | Set by each school | Program length, location, job placement, financing |
| DOT medical exam | Most interstate CDL drivers | Set by the medical examiner | Clinic, region, any follow-up tests |
| Commercial learner's permit | Everyone before public-road BTW | Set by your state | State fee schedule, number of knowledge tests and endorsements |
| CDL skills test and license issuance | Class A and Class B applicants | Set by your state (some use third-party testers) | State fee schedule, third-party tester fees, retests |
| TSA security threat assessment | H endorsement applicants | $86.50 standard new-applicant fee at TSA enrollment centers (checked October 30, 2026) | Reduced fee if you hold a qualifying TWIC; some states collect through the DMV |
Carrier-sponsored programs sometimes cover training in exchange for a work commitment. Read the repayment terms before you sign, because leaving early can make you owe the full program cost.
What online ELDT theory costs across the market
When we checked on October 30, 2026, published prices for online Class A theory from providers listed on FMCSA's registry ran from about $15 to $125. Prices change often, and a lower price doesn't mean a worse course, or a better one.
Courses that cover the same federal curriculum can differ a lot in what you actually get:
- Format. Some courses are mostly reading. Others use video, narration or interactive lessons. Pick what you'll actually finish.
- Who you can reach. Can you get help from a real person if your access email doesn't arrive or your completion doesn't show up?
- Registry status. FMCSA has removed thousands of providers from the registry since December 2025. A course from a removed provider can't be reported, at any price.
- Hidden extras. Retake fees, certificate fees or required add-ons can change the real price.
- Bundling rules. Some schools only accept theory they sell. Check before you buy theory elsewhere.
Our course comparison checklist turns these into questions you can ask any provider in five minutes.
A worked example: Class A with hazmat
Say you want a Class A CDL with the H endorsement and you plan to do behind-the-wheel at a local school that lets you bring outside theory. Your federal training costs come in three pieces:
- Class A theory online: $199 with RapidELDT.
- Hazmat theory online: $199 with RapidELDT. There's no behind-the-wheel for H.
- Class A behind-the-wheel only: quoted by the school. Ask for the price without theory.
Then add your state's CLP, skills test and license fees, the DOT physical and the TSA assessment. Ask the school for the full bundled price too, so you're comparing like with like.
Training a team?
Companies enrolling several drivers can send one request instead of buying seat by seat. See how group enrollment works.
Sources
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry: Training requirements FAQ
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry: Find a provider
- TSA: Hazmat endorsement threat assessment program
Checked October 30, 2026. Competitor price range observed on providers' public pricing pages; sources kept in our claims register.
Cost questions
Is cheap online ELDT legit?
Price alone doesn't tell you. A low-priced course can be fully compliant, and an expensive one can come from a provider that's been removed from the registry. Check that the provider is listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry for your exact license class, then compare what you get. Here's how to check.
Does my CDL school price already include theory?
Often, yes. Many schools bundle theory and behind-the-wheel training. Ask for an itemized quote, and ask whether you can bring theory you've already finished with another registered provider.
Will an employer pay for my ELDT?
Some do, especially for hazmat or for drivers they're promoting into a heavier truck. If your employer is training several drivers, point them to our company training page.
Are there monthly fees?
Not with RapidELDT. Each course is a single payment with no subscription.