Frequently asked questions ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING

The ELDT is a set of minimum standards for commercial driver education that all training providers must follow. Once this mandate is in place, training providers will have to certify to the FMCSA that their training programs meet minimum standards in order to continue training commercial drivers.

ELDT training will be comprised of classroom (theory) education and skills training. Students will learn approximately 30 subjects within the classroom portion of the training and must score a minimum of 80 percent on a theory assessment to meet minimum program requirements. To qualify for the CDL exam, students will receive specified behind-the-wheel training, as well as have a trainer’s endorsement stating that they are proficient in the CDL skills curriculum.

The ELDT regulations are not retroactive. If you’ve already obtained your CDL or endorsements prior to February 7, 2022, these training changes don’t affect you.

Additionally, if you’ve obtained a CLP before February 7, 2022, which results in a CDL prior to the expiration of the CLP, you’re also not subject to the ELDT mandate.

The ELDT requirements are for entry-level drivers, to ensure that all new drivers maintain a consistent skill and safety standard. These new training rules will apply to any first-time license or endorsement. These include:

• Your first Class A or Class B CDL
• Your upgrade from an existing Class B to a Class A CDL
• Your first endorsement, in categories including passenger (P), hazardous materials (H), or school bus (S)

The ELDT mandate goes into effect on February 7, 2022.

You may have heard that ELDT was originally scheduled to begin on February 7, 2020. The FMCSA extended this start date by two years.

 ELDT providers are required per provisions of 49 CFR 380 to post the information to the registry within 48 hours of training completion. Once a provider posts the information, it will be available to state licensing agencies and other eligible CDL testing programs for verification. 

 ELDT is required when upgrading the class of CDL and is required when adding hazmat, passenger, and school bus endorsements. ELDT is not required for a current CDL holder adding a motorcycle, tank or doubles and triples endorsement. 

 ELDT is required when upgrading the class of CDL and is required when adding hazmat, passenger, and school bus endorsements. ELDT is not required for a current CDL holder adding a motorcycle, tank or doubles and triples endorsement. 

 No. An individual who meets skill test waiver provisions defined in 49 CFR 383 is not subject to ELDT requirements. 

 No. The entry-level driver training (ELDT) regulations do not require a minimum number of hours for the completion of BTW training (e.g., 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 road. All BTW training must be conducted in a representative vehicle for the commercial driver’s license (CDL) class or endorsement being sought. 

 The regulations do not impose a penalty on the driver if the training provider fails to comply with the two-day reporting requirement. However, the driver may not take the applicable skills or knowledge test until the training provider has submitted the driver’s certification information to the Training Provider Registry, and the information is accessed by the licensing State.
The purpose of the two-day reporting requirement is to ensure the driver’s certification information is available to the State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) promptly, so that drivers do not experience a delay in taking their skills or knowledge test once they have ELDT. Training providers who routinely fail to comply with the requirement, may be subject to removal from the Training Provider Registry, in accordance with § 380.721(a)(1). 

Self-certification that they meet all ELDT requirements

Affirming, under penalty of perjury, that they will only teach the prescribed ELDT curriculum

Documentation proving ELDT compliance in the event of an audit

Once a training provider has been accepted to the TPR, they’ll be assigned a unique training provider ID number, which will appear on a driver-trainee’s record in the Commercial Driver’s License Information System.

In theory, local DMV employees will be able to look up a CDL applicant’s record and use the unique training provider ID number to confirm the applicant’s requisite training completion. This part is theoretical since the government’s TPR backbone of the enforcement system doesn’t exist yet.

Individual instructors are not required to register with the TPR. Instead, it’s up to training providers to vet instructors and ensure they meet all necessary requirements.

According to the DOT, all ELDT instructors must meet the following qualifications:

• Hold a CDL of the same (or higher) class as the commercial vehicle for which they’re providing training.
• Have at least 2 years’ experience driving a commercial vehicle of that class or have at least 2 years’ experience as a behind the wheel instructor for commercial vehicles.

Since rules aren’t complicated enough already, there are two exceptions:

• A theory instructor is not required to hold a current CDL if the instructor previously held a CDL of the same (or higher) class and meets all other qualifications.
• If a behind the wheel instructor provides training solely on a range that is not a public road, a current CDL is not required if the instructor previously held a CDL of the same (or higher) class and meets all other qualifications.

It’s important to note that these requirements are in addition to any state-level requirements for CDL instruction.

The actual training is broken up into two portions: theory and a behind the wheel. 

Driver-trainees must demonstrate proficiency in both theory and behind the wheel training portions. The training must be delivered by a qualified instructor that meets the above outlined requirements. 

•  Follow a curriculum that meets the applicable criteria in Appendices A-E of Part 380;
• Utilize facilities meeting the criteria in § 380.709;
• Utilize vehicles meeting the criteria in § 380.711;
• Utilize instructors meeting the criteria in § 380.713;
• Meet recordkeeping requirements in § 380.725;
• Be licensed, certified, registered, or authorized to provide training in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of any State where in-person training is conducted.
• Training providers must attest that they meet the specified requirements. In the event of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit or investigation of the provider, they must supply documentary evidence to verify their compliance. 

Training providers must continue to meet the eligibility requirements in order to stay listed on the Training Provider Registry.