Overview of Entry-Level Driver Training

The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations are a requirement imposed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) by Congress under Section 32304 of the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21). These regulations went into effect on February 7, 2022.

The ELDT regulations are intended to enhance the safety of commercial motor vehicle operations on highways by establishing more uniform requirements for both behind-the-wheel and theory training, thereby resulting in more qualified commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Entry-Level Driver Training regulations do not require a minimum number of hours for the completion of behind-the-wheel (BTW) training for Class A, Class B and the passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements. The proficient completion of the BTW portions of the various curricula is based solely on the training instructor’s assessment of each driver trainee’s individual performance of the required elements of BTW training on the range and public roads. All BTW training must be conducted in a representative vehicle for the commercial driver’s license (CDL) class or endorsement being sought.

Drivers seeking a Class A or Class B CDL, Passenger (P) endorsement, or a school bus (S) endorsement, must successfully complete applicable entry-level driver training (theory and behind-the-wheel instruction) from a training provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before taking the State-administered skills tests.

Drivers seeking the hazardous materials (H) endorsement must successfully complete entry-level driver training (theory only) prior to taking the State-administered knowledge test. After February 7, 2022, each State may not administer the tests until verifying that the applicant has completed the required entry-level driver training. The ELDT regulations also impose minimum qualification standards for training providers and instructors conducting entry-level driver training.

The requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an H, P, or S endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022. People who obtained a commercial learner’s permit before the compliance date of February 7, 2022 are not subject to ELDT requirements as long as they obtain a CDL before the expiration date of their Commercial Learner’s Permit.

When upgrading your current CDL to a Class A or B after February 7, 2022, you are required to take the entry-level driver training.

Drivers who obtained the passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement before February 7th, 2022, are not required to have entry-level driver training.

You can read about the new regulations here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt