Do I Need ELDT Training? Who Is Required & Who Is Exempt | DLA Academy

DLA Academy — ELDT Requirements Guide

Do I Need ELDT Training?

Find out if ELDT is required for your situation — CDL A, CDL B, Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus, or upgrade. Includes who is exempt and which course to take.

Updated April 2026  ·  FMCSA Requirements  ·  DLA Academy

Short answer: If you are getting your CDL for the first time or adding a Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus endorsement for the first time after February 7, 2022 — yes, you need ELDT. If you already held your CDL or endorsement before that date, you are likely exempt for that specific license class. Keep reading to confirm your exact situation.

Quick Reference — Do You Need ELDT?

✓ ELDT Required
  • Getting a Class A CDL for the first time
  • Getting a Class B CDL for the first time
  • Upgrading Class B CDL to Class A
  • Adding Hazmat endorsement for the first time
  • Adding Passenger endorsement for the first time
  • Adding School Bus endorsement for the first time
✗ ELDT Not Required
  • CDL held before February 7, 2022
  • Endorsement held before February 7, 2022
  • Renewing an existing endorsement
  • Renewing a CDL (same class)
  • Transferring a CDL from another state
Important: The February 7, 2022 exemption applies per license class and per endorsement individually. You may be exempt from ELDT for your CDL class but still required to complete it for a new endorsement. Example — a driver with a Class A CDL since 2019 adding Hazmat for the first time in 2026 still needs Hazmat ELDT.

Which ELDT Course Do You Need?

Every ELDT course covers a different license class or endorsement. Use the table below to find yours, then enroll directly from the course card.

Your Situation Course Required Price Status
First-time Class A CDL applicant CDL A Theory ELDT $20 Required
First-time Class B CDL applicant CDL B Theory ELDT $20 Required
Upgrading Class B CDL to Class A CDL A Theory ELDT $20 Required
Adding Hazmat (H) endorsement Hazmat ELDT $20 Required
Adding Passenger (P) endorsement Passenger ELDT $20 Required
Adding School Bus (S) endorsement School Bus ELDT $20 Required
CDL held before Feb 7, 2022 (same class) None — Exempt
Renewing an existing endorsement None — Exempt

Enroll in the Right Course — All $20

H Endorsement
Hazmat ELDT

Required before adding Hazmat to your CDL. Theory only — no BTW. Auto-submitted to FMCSA TPR within 24 hours.

$20 — Enroll →
First-Time Class A / B→A Upgrade
CDL A Theory ELDT

Required for first-time Class A applicants and Class B to Class A upgrades. Auto-submitted to TPR.

$20 — Enroll →
First-Time Class B
CDL B Theory ELDT

Required for first-time Class B CDL applicants. Straight trucks, buses, large delivery vehicles.

$20 — Enroll →
P Endorsement
Passenger ELDT

Required for first-time Passenger endorsement. Charter, transit, and bus drivers.

$20 — Enroll →
S Endorsement
School Bus ELDT

Required for first-time School Bus endorsement. FMCSA-approved theory training.

$20 — Enroll →
Best Value Bundle
Hazmat + DMV Test Prep

Hazmat ELDT plus DMV knowledge test preparation. Practice questions and placard rules included.

$30 — Enroll →

What Is ELDT and Why Is It Required?

ELDT stands for Entry-Level Driver Training. Since February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has required all entry-level CDL drivers and first-time endorsement seekers to complete theory training from an FMCSA-approved provider before taking their state CDL skills or knowledge test.

Every ELDT provider must be listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). Once you complete an approved course, your results are automatically submitted to the TPR and your state DMV verifies your training before allowing you to test. You can verify any provider at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/Check.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ELDT training to get my CDL?+
Yes — if you are applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time after February 7, 2022, ELDT theory training is required before your skills test. This applies in all 49 states DLA Academy serves.
Do I need ELDT if I already have a CDL?+
If you obtained your CDL before February 7, 2022, you are exempt from ELDT for that license class. However, if you are adding a new endorsement — Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus — for the first time, ELDT is still required regardless of when you got your CDL.
Do I need ELDT for a Hazmat endorsement?+
Yes. Any CDL driver adding a Hazmat endorsement for the first time must complete Hazmat ELDT theory training before the DMV knowledge test. This applies even if you have held a CDL for many years. DLA Academy's Hazmat ELDT is $20 and completed 100% online.
Do I need ELDT to upgrade from Class B to Class A?+
Yes. Upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A requires completing CDL A Theory ELDT regardless of when you obtained your Class B or how long you have been driving commercially.
How long does ELDT take to complete?+
Most drivers complete DLA Academy's ELDT courses in under 2 hours. The courses are 100% online, self-paced, and work on any device. Completion is automatically submitted to the FMCSA TPR within 24 hours.
How much does ELDT cost?+
DLA Academy offers all ELDT courses for $20 each — the lowest price available for FMCSA-approved theory training. The Hazmat + DMV Test Prep bundle is $30. The 3-Endorsement bundle (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus) is $50. No hidden fees.
Is ELDT required for Passenger or School Bus endorsements?+
Yes. Drivers adding a Passenger or School Bus endorsement for the first time must complete the corresponding ELDT theory course before the endorsement knowledge test. Both are available online at DLA Academy for $20 each.
Related Resources
Hazmat ELDT by State → CDL A ELDT by State → Cheapest ELDT 2026 → CDL Resource Center → How to Get Hazmat Endorsement → Full ELDT by State Hub →
ELDT — All Courses $20 FMCSA-Approved · Auto-Submitted to TPR
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