How to Get Your CDL
ELDT is the federally required first step. Here's the whole process — requirements, steps, and costs — and where ELDT HQ fits in.
CDL Requirements at a Glance
- Age: 18+ to drive commercially within your state (intrastate); 21+ to cross state lines (interstate) or haul hazmat.
- Regular driver's license: You need a valid non-commercial license before starting the CDL process.
- DOT medical exam: A DOT physical from an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, resulting in a medical certificate most drivers must carry.
- ELDT from a registered provider: Required since February 7, 2022 for first-time Class A/B applicants and H/P/S endorsements. That's the step ELDT HQ handles — online, $20.
- Commercial learner's permit (CLP): Earned by passing the state knowledge test; must be held at least 14 days before the skills test.
- Driving record & background: States review your driving history. Hazmat additionally requires a TSA Security Threat Assessment.
The 5 Steps to a CDL
- 01
Complete your ELDT theory
Enroll in the Class A or Class B theory course (or an endorsement) and work through the full FMCSA curriculum online, at your own pace. Most students finish in a day — and it's the cheapest step of the whole process at $20.
- 02
Get your ELDT certificate
Pass the final assessment (80% or higher) and receive your completion certificate. ELDT HQ reports your completion to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, where your state DMV can see it.
- 03
Pass the CDL knowledge test
Take the written CDL knowledge test at your state DMV to earn your commercial learner's permit (CLP). You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before your skills test.
- 04
Practice behind-the-wheel
With your CLP, complete behind-the-wheel range and road training. (BTW training is done in person with a registered provider or school.)
- 05
Pass the CDL skills test
Take the CDL skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road driving — to earn your commercial driver's license. Then start applying: carriers across the country are hiring new CDL holders.
Ready to knock out step one?
Complete your ELDT theory today for $20 — most students finish in a single day.
What Getting a CDL Costs
Behind-the-wheel hours are the big variable. Everything else is small — and the first line is the one you can lock in today.
| Cost item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| ELDT theory course | $20 at ELDT HQ (commonly $99–$150 elsewhere) |
| DOT physical exam | Typically $50–$150 |
| CLP application fee | Varies by state, often $10–$50 |
| Behind-the-wheel training | The largest cost — varies widely by school and hours needed |
| CDL skills test & license fees | Varies by state, often $50–$200 combined |
Ranges are typical figures; exact fees vary by state and provider. See our pricing page for what's included in the $20 course.
Train for a career with carriers like
Get Certified in 3 Easy Steps
No classroom. No waiting. Complete your FMCSA-required theory training online and get your certificate — most students finish in a day.
Sign Up
Pick your course, create your account, and pay once. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just $20 and you're in.
Complete the Theory
Work through the full FMCSA theory curriculum online, at your own pace, on any device. Start and stop whenever you want.
Get Your Certificate
Pass the final assessment and get your completion certificate — your next step toward your CDL.
Most students finish the same day
A $20 Course. A Career Behind It.
Trucking, transit, and delivery fleets are hiring in every state, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers above $54,000 a year — with specialized and endorsement-holding drivers earning more. ELDT is the federally required first step, and it's the cheapest step you'll take.
- $54K+
- BLS median pay, heavy & tractor-trailer drivers
- All 50
- States accept TPR-reported ELDT
- $20
- Your one-time cost to start
- 1 Day
- Most students finish the theory
Getting Your CDL — FAQ
Most people go from zero to CDL in about 3–7 weeks. The ELDT theory can be done in a day online, the CLP must be held at least 14 days, and behind-the-wheel training typically takes a few weeks depending on your schedule and school availability.
Total costs vary mostly with behind-the-wheel training, which differs by school and how many hours you need. The fixed costs are small: $20 for ELDT theory at ELDT HQ, roughly $50–$150 for a DOT physical, and state permit/license fees. Starting with a $20 theory course instead of a $150 one keeps more budget for BTW time.
No — you can get your commercial learner's permit before or after completing ELDT theory. But ELDT must be completed and reported to the Training Provider Registry before your Class A/B skills test (or before the Hazmat knowledge test). Many students do the $20 theory first since it also helps them pass the CLP knowledge test.
Yes, in most states you can get a CDL at 18 for driving within your state (intrastate). You must be 21 to drive interstate commerce or haul hazardous materials.
Common disqualifiers include certain criminal convictions, serious traffic violations (DUI, leaving the scene), medical conditions that can't be certified by a DOT examiner, and license suspensions. Requirements vary by state — check with your DMV if you're unsure.
Class A (combination vehicles/tractor-trailers) is the most versatile and generally highest-paying — it also lets you drive most Class B vehicles. Class B (single heavy vehicles) is faster to train for and suits local delivery, construction, and bus work. If you want maximum options, go Class A.
ELDT HQ delivers the federally required theory training — the first step — 100% online for $20. Your DOT physical, CLP, behind-the-wheel training, and skills test are completed with your medical examiner, state DMV, and a local BTW provider.
You must complete ELDT from a registered provider — theory (which you can do online at ELDT HQ) plus behind-the-wheel training for Class A/B. A traditional multi-thousand-dollar school bundle is one way to get BTW hours, but many drivers mix a $20 online theory course with standalone BTW training and save significantly.
Get Your ELDT Certificate for $20
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