WHAT IS ELDT? AND HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR IT?
WHAT IS ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT)?
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is a set of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) minimum training standards set for commercial driver license (CDL) applicants.
ELDT is required for drivers applying for the first time for a Class A or Class B CDL, upgrading an existing CDL, or adding the following endorsements: hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus.
Effective February 7, 2022, training providers will be required to upload driver training certifications to the Training Provider Registry (TPR), and the Alaska DMV will be required to confirm driver applicants have met the ELDT requirements prior to administering CDL skills tests or taking a knowledge test to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement.
HOW DOES ELDT IMPACT ME?
The ELDT mandate will only affect those getting their original CDL, upgrading from a Class B to Class A CDL, upgrading from a Class C to a Class B or Class A CDL, or adding hazardous materials, passenger, and school bus endorsements for the first time. New drivers will need to complete formal training consisting of classroom training and behind-the-wheel training.
WHO IS EXEMPT FROM ELDT?
Individuals applying for a removal of a restriction, military personnel who meet all requirements for a Military Skills Test Waiver, and individuals exempt from the CDL requirements under 49 CFR part 383, such as off-highway drivers with a restriction 7 on their CDLs and anyone eligible to receive a Restriction 8 for a road test conducted in a CDL waiver community. See here for information about our Remote CDLs in Alaska.
ARE YOU ADDING A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT?
Starting February 7, 2022, all drivers trying to add a Hazardous Materials endorsement to their CDL will need to complete ELDT before the driver will be eligible to take the knowledge test.
I WAS ISSUED A COMMERCIAL LEARNERS PERMIT (CLP) BEFORE FEBRUARY 7, 2022, BUT THE CLP EXPIRED BEFORE I APPLIED FOR MY CDL, DO I HAVE TO DO ELDT?
Yes. You must complete the required ELDT before you are permitted to test for the skills portion of the CDL test.
I WAS ISSUED A CLP BEFORE FEBRUARY 7, 2022, AND THE CLP IS STILL VALID, DO I HAVE TO DO ELDT?
No. As long as you obtain a CDL before the CLP expires you will not be required to complete ELDT.
FAQ
- Who is required to do complete ELDT?
Answer: ALL applicants attempting to obtain a Class A or B CDL for the first time; upgrade a CDL to a class B or A CDL, upgrading from a Class C to a Class B or Class A CDL, or trying to obtain a passenger, school bus, or a hazardous material endorsement for the first time. - Who is exempt from completing ELDT?
Answer: The ELDT rule does not cover individuals for whom States have waived the CDL skills test under 49 CFR 383, including off-highway CDL drivers (Restriction 7 or Restriction 8 see here) and military skills test waivers. Also, individuals that obtained a CDL before 02/7/2022 are not required to take an ELDT certified training course unless they are upgrading their existing CDL or adding a new endorsement. - What role will the Alaska DMV play in the ELDT regulations?
Answer: DMV will verify that an entry-level driver has completed the required training before allowing the driver to proceed with testing and/or issuing a commercial driving license. - If I obtain a commercial driver license before February 7, 2022 but have not obtained a school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsement before February 7, 2022, am I still subject to the ELDT requirements?
Answer: Yes. Any driver applying to obtain a school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsement for the first time is required to complete ELDT. - What is the Training Provider Registry (TPR)?
Answer: The TPR is a system created and managed by FMCSA. The system will list all ELDT providers that are approved by FMCSA and allow ELDT providers to submit ELDT completion information to the TPR. The completion information maintained on the TPR serves as the proof that the entry-level driver applicant has completed the required ELDT. - How can an entity become eligible to be listed on the TPR?
Answer: To be eligible for listing on the TPR, an entity must apply to and be approved by the FMCSA. Training providers must also comply with all applicable state requirements. (https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/Provider) - What is a training provider?
Answer: FMCSA defines that training providers can include, but are not limited to, training schools, educational institutions, rural electric cooperatives, motor carriers, state/local governments, school districts, joint labor management programs, owner-operators, and individuals. These examples are not intended to be a finite list; FMCSA adds them to illustrate the range of entities that could potentially be eligible for listing on the TPR. In addition, FMCSA notes that eligible providers may provide training either on a "for-hire" or "not-for-hire" basis. Examples include motor carriers who provide ELDT at no cost to current or prospective employees, independent training schools charging tuition, and individuals who train family or friends. For a complete list of federal requirements, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT main page for details. - What type of training must an entry-level driver complete to obtain a school bus and passenger endorsement?
Answer: To obtain a Passenger or School Bus endorsement, the applicant must complete mandatory theory (knowledge) and Behind the Wheel (Public Road and Range) training provided by a training provider listed on the Training Provider Registry prior to taking the Skills test. - What type of training must an entry-level driver complete to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement?
Answer: To obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement the applicant must complete ELDT theory (knowledge) training provided by a training provider listed on the Training Provider Registry prior to taking the knowledge test. - Will Alaska accept ELDT completion from other states?
Answer: Yes. If the training provider is on the TPR, Alaska DMV will accept the ELDT completion. - Who can provide Entry Level Driver Training?
Answer: Only training providers listed on the TPR can provide ELDT. (https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/)
For more information regarding required training, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT Curriculum Summary.
Bottom line: Effective Feb. 7, 2022, obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL, as well as a Passenger, School Bus, or Hazardous materials endorsement, will become more detailed and will take more time. Planning is vital to maximize efficiencies in training and testing and minimize delays in licensing.