Department of Motor Vehicles

Introduction to Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Effective February 7th, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established federal regulations requiring entry-level drivers to complete entry level driver training (ELDT) when they are seeking a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrading to a Class A or B CDL or obtaining a passenger (P), school bus (S) or a hazardous material (H) endorsement for the first time. Entry-level driver applicants must obtain training from a training provider listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR). The requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an H, P, or S endorsement issued prior to February 7th, 2022. Individuals who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before the compliance date of February 7th, 2022 are not subject to ELDT requirements as long as they obtain a CDL before the expiration date of the CLP or renewed CLP.

1. Who is an entry level driver?
Answer: An entry level driver is an applicant attempting to obtain a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrade to a Class A or B CDL or obtain a passenger (P), school bus (S) or a hazardous material (H) endorsement for the first time.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Who can provide Entry-Level Driver Training?
Answer: Only training providers listed on the TPR can provide ELDT.

5. 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.

For a complete list of federal requirements, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT main page for details.

For organizations that train entry-level CDL drivers, see the Entry-Level Driver Training Rule Implementation Checklist.

For more information regarding required training, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT Curriculum Summary.

6. Where can I find information for registering on the TPR?
Answer: For information needed to register on the TPR and the most updated timeline for registering, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT main page.

7. To provide ELDT, do I also need to be licensed as a driving school in New York State?
Answer:  If you are in New York State AND you provide instruction for hire, you must be a licensed driving school. 
Visit Open a Driving School for information about applying for a driving school license.

8. What training must an entry-level driver complete to take a commercial driver license (CDL) skills test?
Answer: Entry-level drivers attempting to take a CDL skills test to receive a Class A CDL, Class B CDL, passenger (P) endorsement, or school bus (S) endorsement must successfully complete a mandatory theory (knowledge) and a behind-the-wheel (BTW) training provided by a training provider listed on the TPR.

For more information regarding required training, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT Curriculum Summary.

9. What training must an entry-level driver complete to obtain a Hazardous Material (H) endorsement?
Answer: To obtain a Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement, the entry-level driver must complete mandatory theory (knowledge) training provided by a training provider listed on the TPR prior to taking the knowledge test for the Hazardous Material (H) endorsement.
For more information regarding required training, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT Curriculum Summary.


10. Will New York State accept ELDT completion from other states?
Answer: Yes. If the training provider is on the TPR, New York State will accept the ELDT completion.

11. If I obtain a commercial driver license (CDL) before February 7, 2022, but have not obtained a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement before February 7, 2022, am I still subject to the ELDT requirements?
Answer: Yes. Any driver applying to obtain an S, P, or H endorsement for the first time is required to complete the ELDT.

12. What role will the New York State 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.

13. How can I confirm that my training provider is on the TPR?
Answer: For the most updated list of training providers on the TPR, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT main page for details.

14. What if a training provider needs to make a change to ELDT results that have already been entered into the TPR?
Answer: If ELDT Training Type results need to be updated or corrected, Training Providers should delete the original record and then enter in a new record with the updated Training Type, instead of editing the original record.

For the most updated information, check the FMCSA website. The information above is subject to change based on guidance from the FMCSA or any amendment to the federal rules and regulations.

For questions or concerns please contact dmv.sm.ELDTSupport.dmv.ny.gov