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What happens if the training provider does not submit the driver’s training certification information to the Training Provider Registry by midnight of the second business day following the driver-trainee's completion of training, as required by § 380.717?

The regulations do not impose a penalty on the driver if the training provider fails to comply with the two-day reporting requirement. However, the driver may not take the applicable skills or knowledge test until the training provider has submitted the driver’s certification information to the Training Provider Registry, and the information is accessed by the licensing State.

The purpose of the two-day reporting requirement is to ensure the driver’s certification information is available to the State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) promptly, so that drivers do not experience a delay in taking their skills or knowledge test once they have ELDT. Training providers who routinely fail to comply with the requirement, may be subject to removal from the Training Provider Registry, in accordance with § 380.721(a)(1).

Last Updated : February 07, 2022

What data will is available to State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to assist them in confirming that drivers have completed required training?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides the relevant driver-specific ELDT certification information to the SDLAs. This information includes the training provider’s unique ID number (assigned upon initial listing on the Training Provider Registry), the date the applicant completed applicable training, and the type of training the applicant received.

Last Updated : February 07, 2022

If an applicant obtains a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before February 7, 2022, but has not obtained a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement before February 7, 2022, is that applicant subject to the Entry-Level Driver Training requirements?

Yes, if the driver is applying to obtain the S, P, or H endorsement for the first time, he or she must complete the entry-level driver training required for the endorsement.

Last Updated : September 27, 2022

What is the specific role that the State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) play as detailed in the entry-level driver training (ELDT) regulations?

SDLAs must verify that an entry-level driver has completed the required training before allowing the driver to proceed with testing. The point at which the SDLA must verify completion of entry-level driver training depends on the type of license or endorsement the applicant is seeking. See the table below for a summary of these requirements.

This table indicates the point at which the CDL skills or knowledge test examiner must verify a driver's completion of required training for each license or endorsement.
Type of license or endorsement SDLA must verify completion prior to allowing
Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL)
Passenger (P) endorsement
School bus (S) endorsement 		Skills test
Hazardous materials (H) endorsement Knowledge test

Last Updated : September 27, 2022

May an individual applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) schedule their CDL skills test before they complete the required entry-level driver training?

Yes. A State may schedule a CDL skills test before the entry-level driver has completed the required training. A State may also choose to require completion of entry-level driving training prior to scheduling a skills test. In any event, the State may not administer the skills test or knowledge test until a driver-trainee completes the training for the CDL or endorsement for which they are applying.

Last Updated : February 07, 2022

What prevents a driver-trainee from entering their own results as successful completion of entry-level driver training, even if they did not actually complete the training?

Driver-trainees are not able to submit information to the Training Provider Registry. Only training providers who have registered with FMCSA and been issued a TPR Identification number have the ability to submit driver training certification information.

Last Updated : February 07, 2022

May a State issue a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to an applicant who obtained a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before February 7, 2022, even if that applicant has not completed the required entry-level driver training?

Yes. Per 49 CFR § 380.603(c)(1), an applicant who obtains a CLP before February 7, 2022 is not required to complete the entry-level driver training for obtaining a CDL, so long as the applicant obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires.

Last Updated : December 17, 2020

The contents of these frequently asked questions do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. The documents are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.