Entry-Level Driver Training Certification Process Explained

1. ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT) CERTIFICATION In the United States of America, for operating commercial vehicles the trainee students must possess a Commercial Driver License. The aspiring trainee students who want to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) must undergo a Commercial Driver's License Training (CDL training) from a certified CDL training school. CDL training is an industrial informative course that includes specialized modules of classroom instructions for passing the written examinations of CDL learner's permit. The CDL learner permit allows the students to practice their driving skills on public roads accompanied by a CDL licensed instructor. FMSCA new Entry-Level Driving training rules mandate as per FMCSR guidelines that entry-level drivers must undergo ELDT to assure enhanced standards of safety before operating a commercial vehicle on public roads. ELDT (Entry-level Driver training) is the mandatory federal standard of training curriculum which is rationalized and rendered in CDL training by every leading CDL training school.

2. The new Entry-Level Driver Training guidelines apply to all those who are seeking for: Obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time. Upgrading from a Class B CDL to the Class A CDL. Obtaining a School Bus Endorsement (S), All those candidates who are looking for Passenger Endorsement (P), Hazardous material Endorsement (H) for the first time. All the individuals who were issued a CDL or a School, Passenger, or Hazmat endorsement before February 7, 2022, are not required to complete training for the respective CDL or prior endorsement. The prescribed program of theory instructions for passenger, school bus, hazmat endorsement and behind-the- wheel instructions must be accredited by a school or other entity listed on the TPR (Training Provider Registry). It must be specifically completed for any individual before taking the test for Hazardous Material Endorsement knowledge test. The FMCSA trainer provider registry preserves the record for CDL applicants who have completed the new training and certification process as outlined in the (ELDT) curriculum. The ELDT regulations and the training provider registry were mandated under the Moving Ahead for Progress 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The Entry Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC) , a negotiated rulemaking committee held a series of meetings in the year 2015 concerning ELDT regulations and guidelines, came up with the final Entry Level Driver Training Rule in concern with consensus recommendations. It is the module-based theoretical instructions delivered on the operations of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). The theory experts provide relevant demonstrations and lectures. Theory experts also teach through Digital-based instructions with the devices that display driving simulation. The most popular method is the use of audio-visual presentations of commercial vehicle driver training. It is mandatory to cover all the theory topics, however there is no minimum number of hours that are prescribed for the knowledge or theory instruction.