ELDT : How Does it Affect a New Truck Driver?
ELDT Aims to Improve Competency and Safety in New Truck Drivers
ELDT : How Does it Affect a New Truck Driver?
If you’re looking for a new career and truck driver has made your list of options, you may have seen “ELDT” appear in your research. What does it mean? How does it affect getting your CDL? This article will answer these questions and give you a better understanding of what to expect as you train to be a professional truck driver.
What is Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
ELDT is a set of minimum standards for commercial driver education that training providers across the U.S. must follow to ensure new drivers enter the industry with the same level of competency.
This mandate went into effect on February 7, 2022, and will require training providers to certify to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that their training programs meet minimum standards in order to continue training commercial drivers. Once in effect, this means that many businesses will no longer be able to train their drivers. Instead, they will need to contract a driver’s school that is a registered training provider with the FMCSA.
What does the ELDT mean to me as a prospective truck driver?
A combination of classroom and skills training will be provided in ELDT training. The classroom portion of the training consists of approximately 30 subjects, and students must receive a score of at least 80 percent on the theory assessment to meet minimum requirements. To qualify for the CDL exam, students will complete specific behind-the-wheel training as well as a trainer endorsement that they are proficient in the required skills.
If you’ve already obtained your CDL or endorsements prior to February 7, 2022, these standard training requirements don’t affect you. Additionally, if you’ve obtained a CLP before February 7, 2022, which results in a CDL prior to the expiration of the CLP, you’re also not subject to the ELDT mandate.
The ELDT applies to any first-time license or endorsement, including:
- Your first Class A or Class B CDL
- Your upgrade from an existing Class B to a Class A CDL
- Your first endorsement, in categories including school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H)
Roadmaster Drivers School is registered with the FMCSA
It’s important to choose a truck driver training school that is equipped and certified to provide the proper training. The FMCSA has published a list of qualified training providers through a database called the Training Provider Registry (TPR). All Roadmaster Locations are listed on the Training Provider Registry and are ready to meet ELDT requirements in advance of the February 7, 2022 deadline.
Roadmaster Drivers School is an industry leader in truck driver training with more than 160,000 graduates in its 30 year history. With multiple campuses across the U.S., we have the expertise, equipment, and facilities to set you up for success in your new career.
In about a month, you can train as an entry-level truck driver as you work your way through Roadmaster Drivers School. There is no employment contract, so you are free to choose your employer upon graduation. In-house financing is available for those who qualify to help cover the cost of tuition.
Get started with your CDL Roadmaster training today.