Glossary · Operating Authority & Compliance
ELDT.
Entry-Level Driver Training — federal training standard required since February 2022 for new CDL applicants, upgrades, or hazmat endorsements.
What it is
ELDT — Entry-Level Driver Training — is the federal training standard administered by FMCSA for new commercial drivers. It has been mandatory since February 7, 2022 for new CDL Class A or B applicants, drivers upgrading from CDL B to CDL A, and drivers adding the hazmat, passenger, or school bus endorsement.
A trainee must complete both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction at a school listed in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. The school self-certifies completion to FMCSA, and the certificate stays in the registry and is verified by state DMVs at CDL issuance. There is no minimum-hours requirement at the federal level — though some states impose their own minimums. Typical programs run 160–200 hours total.
Cost in 2026 ranges from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the school, location, and whether room and board are bundled. Some carriers run their own in-house ELDT programs in exchange for a commitment period from the trainee.
Why it matters for trucking finance
ELDT compliance is a real barrier to entry for new owner-operators — the $4K–$10K upfront training cost must be financed before the operator can earn a dollar. CDL school financing, separate from truck financing, is a growing lending category as a result.
The ELDT certificate stays in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry and is verified by state DMVs at CDL issuance. First-time owner-operator financing applications typically require evidence of CDL plus ELDT completion before underwriting can begin.
Related terms
- CDL Class A (CDL-A) — Commercial Driver's License Class A — required for combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GCWR with a towed unit over 10,000 lbs; the standard CDL for OTR trucking.
- Hazmat Endorsement (H endorsement) — Additional CDL endorsement authorizing the driver to haul hazardous materials in placardable quantities; requires TSA background check.
- Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEDC) — DOT-required medical certification verifying a commercial driver's physical fitness to operate; issued by a National Registry medical examiner.
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