What Is Hazmat ELDT Training and Why Is It Required?

Hazmat ELDT is the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) required by the FMCSA — the theory portion you must complete before you can take your state's Hazmat knowledge test. It must be done through an FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT course that reports your completion to the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR), and at DLA Academy it's online, self-paced, and finished in under 2 hours.

What ELDT actually means

ELDT stands for Entry-Level Driver Training. It's a federal standard set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that defines the baseline training a new driver must receive. For the Hazmat (H) endorsement, ELDT is a theory-only requirement — there's no behind-the-wheel component — covering the knowledge a driver needs to safely handle and transport hazardous materials.

Why it's required

Federal rules require that this training be delivered by an FMCSA-approved provider and that your completion be reported to the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR). Your state DMV checks the TPR before it will let you sit for the Hazmat knowledge test — so if your provider isn't approved and doesn't report, the training doesn't count. DLA Academy is FMCSA-approved and reports completion automatically.

What the training covers (high level)

Hazmat ELDT covers the core safety knowledge behind hazardous-materials transport — the kind of material the federal standard requires before you're tested by the state. It's delivered 100% online and self-paced, and most drivers finish in under 2 hours.

Where ELDT fits in the 3-step process

Getting a first-time Hazmat endorsement takes three steps, and ELDT is step one:

1. Complete FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT training (this page).
2. Pass your state DMV Hazmat knowledge test.
3. Pass the TSA Security Threat Assessment (background check, includes fingerprinting).

Wondering whether the requirement applies to you? See do you need ELDT for a Hazmat endorsement. Want the full price picture? See how much a Hazmat endorsement costs.

The fastest way to clear step one is to start Hazmat ELDT training online today — $20, under 2 hours, with completion reported to the FMCSA automatically.

Start Your Hazmat ELDT Course

Information verified for 2026. Confirm current requirements with the FMCSA Training Provider Registry and your state DMV (tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement for the TSA step). DLA Academy course price: $20.