Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Requirements
What You Need to Know: Federal law requires all first-time CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through a school registered on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s Training Provider Registry.
Basically, federal law says you must get CDL training at an approved school to get your CDL.
- What Is ELDT?
- Who Has to Complete ELDT?
- What Does ELDT Training Cover?
- What TransTech’s ELDT-Compliant Program Includes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- In-Depth Explanation: How ELDT Changed CDL Training Blog
What Is Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)?
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is a federal training standard established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that defines the minimum standards for getting a CDL.
ELDT establishes rules on what CDL training must include nationwide, ensuring drivers receive quality training before legally driving a truck on public roads.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: To get a CDL, you must complete training at a school that is registered with FMCSA. Registered schools appear on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) page.
Who Has to Complete ELDT?
Anyone obtaining their first CDL after February 7, 2022, must complete an ELDT-compliant training program. This table outlines when you must complete an ELDT training program:
| Situation | Is ELDT Required? |
| Applying for a Class A CDL for the first time | Yes |
| Applying for a Class B CDL for the first time | Yes |
| Upgrading from a Class B to a Class A CDL | Yes |
| Adding a Passenger (P) endorsement for the first time | Yes |
| Adding a School Bus (S) endorsement for the first time | Yes |
| Adding a Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement for the first time | Yes |
| Renewing an existing CDL | No |
| Transferring a CDL from another state | No |
| Existing CDL holders not seeking an upgrade or new endorsement | No |
What Does ELDT Training Cover?
Federal regulations state that CDL training theory must cover five key areas. CDL schools must cover every required topic listed in the ELDT requirements and confirm that each student has demonstrated the knowledge and skills associated with it before that section is complete.
Classroom Standards
FMCSA requires specific essential topics for the safe and proficient operation of commercial motor vehicles:
- Basic Operation
- Safe Operating Procedures
- Advanced Operating Practices
- Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions
- Non-Driving Activities
Behind-the-Wheel Training Standards
Driving training must also cover certain topics and abilities, and students must demonstrate proficiency in each area to become proficient truck drivers.
Range Training
Must cover practical vehicle control exercises, including:
- Vehicle inspection
- Backing maneuvers (straight-line, alley dock, offset backing, parallel parking on blind and sight sides)
- Coupling/uncoupling the truck and trailer
Public Road Training
Must cover complex driving maneuvers such as:
- Turns
- Lane changes
- Highway curves
- Entry/exit ramps
- Driver Communication
- Hazard perception
- Railroad crossing procedures
- Night driving
- Emergency maneuvers such as skid recovery
- Adherence to hours of service
Students may not register for the CDL Skills test until they’ve completed a CDL training program that satisfies all of these requirements.
What TransTech’s ELDT-Compliant Program Includes
- Classroom instruction covering all FMCSA-required theory topics
- Range training with direct instructor observation and documented competency assessments
- Public road training on roads in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
- Instructor-certified completion records submitted directly to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
TransTech is a registered provider on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. Students can verify this directly on the TPR website. TransTech’s full-time CDL programs complete all ELDT requirements in 4 weeks (for full-time) or 8 weeks (for part-time).
State requirements for CDL training
CDL training requirements vary by state. ELDT is only one of the requirements of getting a CDL. See if you meet the age, driving record, and physical requirements in your state: North Carolina Requirements, South Carolina Requirements, and Georgia Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About ELDT
Does ELDT apply if I already have a CDL?
No. Existing CDL holders who are renewing their license or transferring it from another state do not need to complete ELDT. The requirement applies to first-time applicants and those seeking a Class A upgrade or a new endorsement (passenger, school bus, or hazmat) for the first time.
When did ELDT go into effect?
The ELDT mandate went into effect on February 7, 2022.
How long does ELDT take to complete?
Federal law does not set a minimum number of hours, but the length of the program depends on the school’s curriculum and how quickly the student demonstrates competency at each stage. TransTech’s CDL programs can be completed in as few as 4 weeks.
How is ELDT completion reported?
Your CDL school will report that you completed your ELDT-compliant CDL training program to the FMCSA. The FMCSA will then notify your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles so it can issue your CDL.
Does ELDT cover Hazmat endorsements?
No, Hazmat is not required in Entry-Level Driver Training. You can add training for Hazardous Materials endorsement and take an additional federal hazmat knowledge test during your CDL skills exam. It also requires a TSA background check.
Is TransTech registered with the FMCSA Training Provider Registry?
Yes. TransTech is a registered provider. Students can verify this on the FMCSA’s TPR page by searching for TransTech by name or state.