• On February 7, 2022, new federal ELDT rules take effect.
• The rules require a driver to complete ELDT with an entity listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before applying for, or obtaining an upgrade to, a Class A or B CDL or applying for a passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement from a state driver licensing agency.

Beginning February 7, 2022, before a driver may apply for or upgrade to a Class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL) or seek an endorsement for hazardous materials, passengers, or school buses, the driver must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT). The training must be provided by an entity listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Training Provider Registry (TPR) website and must include both classroom and behind-the-wheel components (classroom only for the hazardous materials endorsement). Once training is complete, the driver’s training certificate is submitted to the state driver licensing agency which may then administer the skills or knowledge test for the license or endorsement.

Exemptions to ELDT

• Drivers issued a Class A or Class B CDL or a passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement before February 7, 2022, are exempt from ELDT as it relates to that CDL or endorsement.
• Drivers who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before February 7, 2022, are exempt from ELDT if they obtain a CDL before the CLP (or renewed CLP) expires.

ELDT does NOT apply to:

• Drivers who are exempt from needing a CDL or who are eligible for a restricted CDL under 383.3.
• Veterans with military driving experience who qualify for the skills- and knowledge-test exemptions described in 383.77.
• Drivers who need to pass a modified skills test to remove an airbrake or manual-transmission restriction from their CDL.

Complete details for ELDT rules effective on or after February 7, 2022, are found in Part 380, Subparts F and G (starting at 380.600).