Written by the America’s Driving Force team · Reviewed by Joel Curtis, retired professional truck driver · Published September 29, 2026 · Last reviewed September 29, 2026 · Sources are listed at the end
Entry-level driver training (ELDT) is federal training that first-time Class A and Class B applicants, Class B to A upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus and hazmat endorsement applicants must complete with a registered provider before certain tests. Federal rules set no minimum hours, but states can add their own requirements.
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What entry-level driver training is
Entry-level driver training, usually shortened to ELDT, is the federal minimum training that new commercial drivers must finish before they can take certain CDL tests. On its ELDT page (last updated February 4, 2026), FMCSA says the regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. The training has to come from a provider that is listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, which keeps a record of who has completed it.
This guide answers the questions people ask most: who has to do it, what kind of training is required for each license or endorsement, whether there is a minimum number of hours, and what states can add on top. For the wider path from permit to license, see our guide on getting a CDL without a traditional truck driving school and our earlier overview of FMCSA entry-level driver training requirements.
Who has to complete ELDT and who does not
According to FMCSA, ELDT applies to anyone who wants to:
- obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time;
- upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
- obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
The requirement applies to people who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) on or after February 7, 2022. It is not retroactive. Anyone issued a CDL or an S, P or H endorsement before that date is not required to complete training for that license or endorsement. The Training Provider Registry’s applicability page adds that if you hold, or have ever held, a Class A or Class B CDL, you do not need entry-level training for the type of license you currently or previously held, although you may need it for a new license or endorsement. FMCSA also says that an applicant who obtained a CLP before February 7, 2022 and gets a CDL before that CLP or its renewal expires is not subject to ELDT.
Some people are excepted altogether. The registry lists individuals applying under certain exceptions in 49 CFR 383.3, applicants for restricted CDLs under 383.3(e) through (g), military personnel who meet the conditions of 383.77, and people applying to remove a restriction under 383.135(b)(7). If you think you might qualify for an exception, confirm it with your state licensing agency.
What training each license or endorsement requires
The type of training depends on what you are applying for. The registry’s frequently asked questions summarize it like this:
| License or endorsement | Training verified before | Theory training | Behind-the-wheel training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL (new or upgrade) | CDL skills test | Yes | Yes, range and public road |
| Class B CDL | CDL skills test | Yes | Yes, range and public road |
| Passenger (P) endorsement | P skills test | Yes | Yes, range or public road |
| School bus (S) endorsement | S skills test | Yes | Yes, range or public road |
| Hazardous materials (H) endorsement | H knowledge test | Yes | No |
The state must not give the test until it verifies that you finished the required training. FMCSA’s CDL page also notes that there is no federal requirement to complete the theory portion before applying for a learner’s permit, and that after you finish, your provider electronically submits your certification to the registry. You can look up your own certification information with the registry’s “Check My Record” tool.
Hours, simulators and other common questions
Many people assume ELDT means a set number of classroom or driving hours. According to the registry’s FAQ, it does not:
- Theory: there is no minimum number of hours for the theory portion. The regulations prescribe the topics, require the provider to cover all of them, and require trainees to show understanding by earning an overall minimum score of 80 percent on the written or electronic theory assessment.
- Behind the wheel: there is no minimum number of hours either. Whether you finished the range and public road portions depends on the instructor’s assessment of how you perform each required element, and all of it must be done in a representative vehicle for the class or endorsement you want.
- Simulators: driving simulators cannot substitute for behind-the-wheel training, although they may be used in theory training.
- Manual transmissions: training does not have to happen in a manual transmission vehicle. Manual transmission training is needed only if appropriate, meaning you expect to drive a manual commercial vehicle and are training in one.
- Order: there is no required sequence for theory, range and public road training, but behind-the-wheel training must be completed before the skills tests.
Providers, other states and state add-ons
The registry’s FAQ answers several practical questions that trip people up:
- Can two providers split the training? Yes. Theory and behind-the-wheel training can come from separate providers, as long as both are listed on the Training Provider Registry and both submit your certification.
- Does Class A training count for Class B? Yes. If you completed the training for a Class A CDL, you are eligible to take the skills test for a Class B CDL as well as Class A.
- Can I train in another state? Yes. The regulations do not prohibit training outside your home state, and a state must accept the skills test results from the state where you were tested.
- Can my state add requirements? Yes. The federal rules are minimum standards. If a state requires a certain number of behind-the-wheel hours, for example, a trainee who trains in that state must meet it, and your home state may impose its own requirements before issuing the CDL or endorsement.
- Does FMCSA supply course materials or approve instructors? No. FMCSA says it does not provide training materials, endorse specific vendors, or certify instructors. It is up to each provider to decide whether its instructors meet the minimum qualifications.
What to check before you enroll
FMCSA’s advice is to use the registry to find a provider, and to complete the training with a registered provider before the required test. Before you pay for a course, ask whether the provider is listed on the registry, whether it covers both the theory and the range and public road portions you need, and whether your state has extra requirements. Because the federal pages can change, check the current details on the FMCSA ELDT page and with your state’s licensing agency.
Once you have a certified training record, the next step is the skills test. To see who is hiring after that, use our directory of trucking companies in all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
Is ELDT required for everyone who wants a CDL?
It is required for first-time Class A and Class B applicants who obtained a permit on or after February 7, 2022, Class B to Class A upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement applicants. People who held their license or endorsement before that date, and people who meet certain exceptions, are not required to complete it.
How many hours of ELDT are required?
The federal ELDT rules set no minimum hours for theory or behind-the-wheel training. Theory requires covering prescribed topics and scoring at least 80 percent on the theory assessment, and behind-the-wheel training depends on the instructor assessing your performance. States may set their own minimums.
Can I use a driving simulator for behind-the-wheel training?
No. According to the Training Provider Registry FAQ, simulators cannot replace behind-the-wheel training, though they can be used in theory training.
Does the hazmat endorsement need driving training?
No. The registry summary lists theory training only for the hazardous materials endorsement, verified before the knowledge test.
Where do I find a training provider?
FMCSA directs applicants to search the Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. After you finish, your provider submits your certification and you can check your record there.
Related guides
- FMCSA entry-level driver training requirements
- How to get a CDL without going to a traditional truck driving school
- What is the duration of CDL training?
About the reviewer
Joel Curtis is a retired professional truck driver with more than 30 years of over-the-road experience in Canada and the United States. He reviews our guides for practical accuracy from a driver’s point of view. Every guide is built from the official sources listed below.
Sources
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (last updated February 4, 2026)
- ELDT Applicability, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- Frequently Asked Questions: Training Requirements and Curricula, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- How do I get a Commercial Driver's License?, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (last updated December 8, 2025)
- Training Provider Registry, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, fees and requirements change, so confirm current details with the agencies listed above and your state before you act.