ELDT Training in California — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in California, from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Fresno, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the CA theory portion is done online for $20 and your California record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in California

  1. Get your CLP from California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

    Pass the CDL knowledge tests, plus any endorsement tests, at a CA 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 California; 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 CA licensing agency checks the registry electronically before your skills test.

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in California

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in California

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the CA CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

California licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the California DMV site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the California DMV site
  • Skills tests are given by appointment at DMV offices that offer commercial testing; demand is highest around Los Angeles and the Bay Area, so book as soon as you are eligible.
  • California DMV publishes its CDL fees on a separate licensing fees page, and ELDT completion is checked against the FMCSA registry before testing.

These CA 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 California fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in California

CA has 489 registered training locations across 211 cities on the FMCSA registry: 299 registered for Class A, 401 for Class B, 309 for the passenger endorsement and 222 for school bus. 161 of the 489 (33%) publish a website, and the newest CA registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Los Angeles CDL schools, San Diego CDL schools and San Jose CDL schools, or open the full California school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in California

157 of the 489 registered California locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so CA drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the California hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in California

Each course is the federal curriculum, reported to the Training Provider Registry when a CA 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

California ELDT questions

Does California DMV accept online ELDT theory training?
Yes. The DMV verifies theory completion in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and there is no California-only theory course requirement for a Class A or B CDL.
Do I need an appointment for the California CDL skills test?
Yes. Commercial drive tests are scheduled in advance at DMV offices that offer them, and you must bring a representative vehicle for the class you are testing for.
What is the wait between a California CLP and the drive test?
At least 14 days, per federal rules. Use that time to finish the behind-the-wheel portion of ELDT with a registered provider.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in California?
With one of the 489 California locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose; 299 are registered for Class A training and 401 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 CA CDL training today

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

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