Who this is for: CDL applicants, fleet managers, compliance assistants
Who Needs ELDT? Training Requirements by CDL Category
ELDT is required for applicants seeking a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrading from Class B to Class A, or adding a hazmat, passenger, or school bus endorsement for the first time. Current CDL holders renewing or adding unaffected endorsements are generally exempt.
Important Notice
ELDT rules have been subject to updates. Verify current requirements with FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov before applying.
Who must complete ELDT
ELDT is required for: (1) first-time CDL applicants obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL; (2) CDL holders upgrading from Class B to Class A; (3) applicants adding a hazmat (H), passenger (P), or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time. The training must match the vehicle class and endorsement being sought.
Who is generally exempt from ELDT
ELDT is generally not required for: current CDL holders who already hold the class or endorsement being renewed; applicants only adding endorsements not covered by ELDT (tanker N, doubles/triples T, or combination X — though check for changes); and military CDL applicants under the military waiver program (verify current rules at FMCSA).
Upgrade scenarios
A driver with a Class B CDL who wants to upgrade to Class A must complete Class A ELDT before the Class A skills test. A driver with a Class A CDL adding the passenger endorsement must complete ELDT for the passenger endorsement. Each covered upgrade has its own ELDT topic list.
Grandfathered drivers — the February 7, 2022 cutoff
Drivers who held a Class A or B CDL before February 7, 2022, or who added covered endorsements before that date, are grandfathered — they do not need to go back and complete ELDT for their existing credentials. The requirement only applies to new applicants and upgrade applicants after the effective date. If you're a fleet manager verifying a driver who has held their Class A for many years, an ELDT record in the TPR system is not expected.
What happens if a driver takes the skills test without completing ELDT
State CDL offices check the FMCSA system for an ELDT completion record before scheduling or administering the skills test for covered applicants. If the record is missing, the state will not administer the test. The driver would need to complete ELDT first, wait for the provider to submit the record electronically, and then reschedule. There is no waiver process for skipping ELDT for covered applicants.
How the state confirms ELDT before scheduling the skills test
In most states, the check is automated — the CDL office looks up the applicant's learner permit or CDL number in the FMCSA system and confirms whether a matching ELDT record exists for the relevant credential. A record submitted by the provider but not yet processed, or submitted with a typo in the driver's CDL number, looks the same as no record at all. Leave 2–3 business days between the provider's confirmation of submission and your attempt to schedule the skills test. Showing up the same day the provider submits and expecting the record to already be findable will often result in frustration.
Drivers with foreign commercial licenses applying for a U.S. CDL
Holding a commercial license issued by another country does not satisfy ELDT requirements for a U.S. CDL. Applicants seeking a U.S. Class A or B CDL after February 7, 2022 must complete ELDT through a TPR-listed provider — foreign training credentials don't transfer into the FMCSA system. Limited exception pathways exist in specific circumstances; verify current FMCSA guidance if this applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I already have a CDL, do I need ELDT to add an endorsement?
If you are adding a HazMat, Passenger, or School Bus endorsement for the first time, ELDT is required for that endorsement. Adding Tanker or Doubles/Triples endorsements does not currently require ELDT. Check FMCSA for any rule updates.
Does ELDT need to be repeated when renewing a CDL?
No. ELDT is a one-time requirement per credential type. A driver who completed Class A ELDT does not repeat it when renewing their Class A CDL.
What if a driver got their CDL in early 2022 and isn't sure if ELDT applies?
The cutoff is February 7, 2022. CDLs issued before that date are grandfathered. CDLs issued on or after February 7, 2022 for covered credential types require ELDT. If the driver isn't sure, they can check whether an ELDT record appears under their CDL number at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.