ELDT Training in Florida — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Florida, from Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and St. Petersburg, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the FL theory portion is done online for $20 and your Florida record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Florida

  1. Get your CLP from Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Florida

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Florida

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

Florida licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the FLHSMV site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the FLHSMV site
  • You must be a Florida resident holding a Florida operator's license; applicants under 21 are restricted to intrastate driving.
  • CDL knowledge tests are offered in several languages and can be taken orally in English or Spanish, but the skills test is conducted in English.

These FL 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 Florida fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Florida

FL has 122 registered training locations across 65 cities on the FMCSA registry: 100 registered for Class A, 96 for Class B, 63 for the passenger endorsement and 53 for school bus. 64 of the 122 (52%) publish a website, and the newest FL registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Jacksonville CDL schools, Miami CDL schools and Tampa CDL schools, or open the full Florida school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Florida

34 of the 122 registered Florida locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so FL drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Florida hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Florida

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

Florida ELDT questions

Can I take the Florida CDL knowledge test in Spanish?
Yes. FLHSMV offers CDL knowledge tests in multiple languages and orally in English or Spanish, except the hazardous materials test. The skills test itself must be done in English.
Does FLHSMV accept online ELDT?
Yes. Florida verifies ELDT through the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so online theory from a registered provider is accepted anywhere in the state.
Can I get a Florida CDL at 18?
Yes, but until you turn 21 your CDL is restricted to intrastate operation within Florida. You also need a valid Florida operator's license first.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Florida?
With one of the 122 Florida locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa; 100 are registered for Class A training and 96 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 FL CDL training today

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

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