Everything Changed in 2022
Gone are the days of simply going to the DMV, taking a CDL learner’s permit test, practicing in a friend’s truck for a while, and then going to a licensing center to take the driver’s test to get your CDL. That used to be the basic procedure for getting a commercial driver’s license until February 2022, at which time the requirements to get a CDL changed significantly. Keep reading to learn what you have to do to get a CDL now in 2022 and beyond.
It Depends on When You Got Your CDL Permit
If you got your CDL learner’s permit before February 7, 2022, you still have until February 6, 2023 to obtain your CDL by simply going to a licensing center or a Third Party Examiner and taking the skills test. If you have not yet obtained your learner’s permit, or if you got it after February 7, 2022, getting your CDL will take a lot more time and effort thanks to new federal regulations.
The Federal ELDT Requirement
On February 7, 2022, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) put into effect a new federal requirement that all would-be drivers of commercial vehicles must complete an ELDT (Entry Level Driver’s Training) program in order to obtain a CDL.
ELDT is comprised of two parts: a theory instruction course and a BTW (behind-the-wheel) course.
ELDT Theory Curriculum
The ELDT Theory Curriculum is the first step in obtaining a CDL and must be completed before taking the BTW training, and it should be completed before taking the CDL learner’s permit exam. There are 30 required topics that must be included in the Theory Curriculum, and students must pass an assessment(s) with a minimum score of an 80% to pass the course.
The ELDT Theory Curriculum can be completed in a classroom via in-person instruction, or online. Taking the curriculum online has many advantages, such as completing the training on your own schedule any time day or night, working on it from home on your laptop or on-the-go from your smart phone, and being able to learn at your own pace and review lessons as necessary.
It is recommended that the ELDT theory training be completed prior to taking the CDL learner’s permit exam, as it will prepare you for the exam and save you time by not having to study the driver’s manual before taking the permit test.
The ELDT theory training is separate from the BTW training, so you can take our Online CDL Course now from home, and then go to a local FMCSA approved training provider for the behind-the-wheel training. You can check out our Online CDL Course here.
Once you complete our ELDT theory training course, we will upload your training records and certificate of completion into the FMCSA TPR (Training Provider Registry) database, and you will then be ready to schedule your BTW training at an approved training provider. If you need help finding an approved ELDT training provider for behind-the-wheel training, just let us know, and we will help you find one.
ELDT Behind-the-Wheel Training (BTW)
The ELDT BTW training is broken down into two parts: range and public road.
The range portion of the training takes place at the trainer’s facility. Per FMCSA requirements, instructors “must teach driving exercises related to basic vehicle control skills and mastery of basic maneuvers” on a driving range. Training providers also “must teach “Get Out and Look” (GOAL) to the trainee.” You will be trained on the following during the range training: vehicle inspection (Pre-Trip, Enroute, and Post-Trip), straight line backing, alley dock backing, off-set backing, parallel parking, and coupling and uncoupling. Once you have successfully completed the range training, you will be able to proceed to the public road portion.
The public road portion of the training is “real world” training and takes place on the highway. In this part of the training instructors must cover all topics in the BTW curriculum including vehicle controls, shifting, signaling, visual search, speed and space management, safe driver behavior, hours of service (HOS) requirements, railroad crossing, night operation, extreme driving conditions, and skid control and recovery.
There is no federally required length for the ELDT BTW training. Programs vary in length from one week to six weeks depending on the provider and program chosen.
CDL Driver’s Test
Once you complete the public road portion of the training, you will be able to schedule your CLD driver’s test at a state licensing center or a Third Party Examiner.
Summary
In summary, if you do not currently have your CDL permit, or if you got it after February 7, 2022, you must do the following to obtain a CDL.
- Complete the ELDT Theory Curriculum, which you can do online from home on your own schedule here.
- Obtain your CDL learner’s permit from your local DMV.
- Complete the ELDT Behind-the-Wheel Training (BTW) at an approved training provider (if you need help finding one, contact us and we will find one in your area).
- Take your CDL driver’s test at a state licensing center or a Third Party Examiner.
Now you know what you need to do to get your CDL. We hope this was helpful.
If you have any questions, just contact us, and we can help you through the whole process.
