ELDT Training in Arkansas — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Arkansas, from Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale and Jonesboro, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the AR theory portion is done online for $20 and your Arkansas record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Arkansas

  1. Get your CLP from Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services

    Pass the CDL knowledge tests, plus any endorsement tests, at a AR licensing office.

  2. Complete ELDT theory online

    Finish the Class A or Class B theory course here, $20, at your own pace from anywhere in Arkansas; bus drivers add the passenger course and school bus drivers both the passenger and school bus courses.

  3. We report it to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry

    Your completion is submitted automatically, usually within minutes; the AR licensing agency checks the registry electronically before your skills test.

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Arkansas

    Range and public-road training is done in person with one of the registered AR providers listed below, for example in Little Rock; it can be a different provider from your theory course.

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Arkansas

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the AR CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services.

Arkansas licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Arkansas DFA site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Arkansas DFA site
  • Arkansas issues CDLs for a five-year term, after the state extended the license period from four years in 2022.
  • Medical certification, skills performance evaluations and waivers are handled by the Office of Driver Services, and your medical examiner must be on the FMCSA National Registry.

These AR fees and procedures are set by the agency and change without notice; confirm them on the official site before you go. Training costs are separate from Arkansas fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Arkansas

AR has 68 registered training locations across 52 cities on the FMCSA registry: 46 registered for Class A, 56 for Class B, 45 for the passenger endorsement and 41 for school bus. 24 of the 68 (35%) publish a website, and the newest AR registry record dates from September 2026.

Browse by city: Little Rock CDL schools, Springdale CDL schools and Jonesboro CDL schools, or open the full Arkansas school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

Counts come from the FMCSA registry export. We do not endorse any AR school; confirm courses, schedules and prices with the provider.

Hazmat endorsement in Arkansas

24 of the 68 registered Arkansas locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so AR drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Arkansas hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Arkansas

Each course is the federal curriculum, reported to the Training Provider Registry when a AR driver passes.

Class A

CLASS A CDL

For combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ lbs, where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class A applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class A application. Already hold a Class B CDL and want Class A? Choose the Class B to Class A Upgrade course instead.

30 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class B

CLASS B CDL

For single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001+ lbs, or towing vehicles under 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class B applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class B application.

29 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class A

CLASS B TO CLASS A UPGRADE

Class B to Class A upgrade theory curriculum covering advanced commercial vehicle operation, safety procedures, inspections, control skills, and compliance requirements for drivers moving from Class B to Class A CDL.

Class B to Class A upgrade. Reported to FMCSA as an Upgrade. Only for drivers who currently hold a valid Class B CDL.

3 hours
22 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
School Bus

SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

Required endorsement for all school bus drivers, covering safety protocols and procedures.

11 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Passenger

PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT

Required for drivers operating vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers.

5 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Hazmat

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT

Required theory training for transporting hazardous materials safely and legally.

12 hours
13 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll

Arkansas ELDT questions

Who issues CDLs in Arkansas?
The Office of Driver Services within the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration issues Commercial Learner's Permits and CDLs, and the Arkansas State Police administer the skills tests.
Does Arkansas accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. ELDT is federal, and Driver Services confirms your theory completion through the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before you are cleared for the skills test.
How long is an Arkansas CDL valid?
Arkansas CDLs are issued for five years. You still need to keep a current medical certificate on file to avoid a downgrade during that period.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Arkansas?
With one of the 68 Arkansas locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Little Rock, Springdale and Jonesboro; 46 are registered for Class A training and 56 for Class B. Theory and behind-the-wheel training can come from different registered providers, so you can finish the online theory first and then choose a school. Each school sets its own schedule and pricing, and some registered providers, such as school districts and transit agencies, train only their own drivers, so confirm before you enroll; we do not endorse any of them.

Start your AR CDL training today

$20 online theory, accepted in Arkansas and reported to the FMCSA registry automatically.

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