ELDT in one paragraph
Before February 2022, there was no national minimum training standard for new truck and bus drivers. A person could study a manual, pass the tests and get a CDL. ELDT changed that. Today, if you're getting a first Class A or Class B CDL, upgrading from Class B to Class A, or adding a first passenger (P), school bus (S) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement, you must complete training from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. You finish it before your state lets you take the test.
The two parts of ELDT
Theory
The knowledge portion: vehicle systems, safe operating procedures, hours of service, cargo, emergencies and more. It can be completed entirely online. You must score at least 80% overall on the theory assessment, and there's no minimum number of hours.
Behind-the-wheel (BTW)
Hands-on driving on a range and on public roads, with a qualified instructor in a vehicle of the right class. There's no minimum number of hours. Your instructor decides when you're proficient. It can't be done online.
Theory and BTW can come from different registered providers, in either order. Compare the two in detail.
What ELDT requires, credential by credential
| Getting for the first time | Theory | Behind-the-wheel | Federal curriculum | Must finish before | Online theory at RapidELDT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL (new or upgrade) | Yes | Range + public road | Appendix A | CDL skills test | Class A course |
| Class B CDL | Yes | Range + public road | Appendix B | CDL skills test | Class B course |
| Passenger (P) endorsement | Yes | Range + public road | Appendix C | P skills test | Not sold yet |
| School bus (S) endorsement | Yes | Range + public road | Appendix D | S skills test | Not sold yet |
| Hazmat (H) endorsement | Yes | None | Appendix E | H knowledge test | Hazmat course |
A Class A or B applicant must finish both parts within one year of completing the first part. Hazmat has no BTW part, so that window doesn't apply to it.
What ELDT is not
- Not a license. Completing ELDT doesn't give you a CDL or endorsement. Your state issues those after you pass its tests.
- Not a test waiver. You still take your state's knowledge tests for your permit and its skills test for the CDL.
- Not an FMCSA "approval". Providers on the registry certify that they meet the federal standards. FMCSA doesn't hand out course approvals, so be wary of anyone advertising one. See how to spot fake ELDT courses.
- Not a ceiling. ELDT is a federal minimum. Some states and employers require more.
Who has to take it, and who doesn't
The rule applies to entry-level drivers, which means people getting a covered credential for the first time on or after February 7, 2022. If your Class A CDL was issued in 2019, you don't need ELDT to keep it. If you later add hazmat for the first time, you need Hazmat ELDT for that endorsement. There are a few narrower exceptions, including some military drivers whose skills test is waived and drivers only removing certain restrictions. The who needs ELDT guide walks through every case.
How your training gets recorded
When you finish, your provider submits your completion to FMCSA's Training Provider Registry by midnight of the second business day. The record includes your name, license or permit number and state, the credential and type of training, and the provider's registry ID. Your state looks it up before it lets you test. That's why your name and license number must match exactly when you enroll. More in how ELDT completion is reported.
Where RapidELDT fits
We sell online ELDT theory for Class A, Class B and Hazmat. Courses are delivered and reported by SaferELDT, a registry-listed online theory provider. For Class A and B, you'll complete behind-the-wheel training with a registered BTW provider such as a CDL school or a carrier training program.
Sources
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry: training requirements FAQ
- 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F: Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements
- 49 CFR 380.717: Training certification
Checked October 30, 2026.
Questions drivers ask
What does ELDT stand for?
Entry-Level Driver Training. It's the federal training standard in 49 CFR Part 380, Subparts F and G.
When did ELDT start?
Compliance began February 7, 2022. Drivers who got the relevant CDL or endorsement before that date don't need ELDT for it.
Is ELDT the same as the CDL test?
No. ELDT is training you complete before testing. You still take your state's knowledge and skills tests, and your state checks the registry for your ELDT first.
Is an ELDT certificate the same as being certified?
What counts is the completion record your provider submits to FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. A certificate from a course is a receipt; the registry record is what your state verifies.