ELDT Training in Illinois — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Illinois, from Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville and Rockford, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Driver Services will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the IL theory portion is done online for $20 and your Illinois record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Illinois

  1. Get your CLP from Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Driver Services

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Illinois

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Illinois

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the IL CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Driver Services.

Illinois licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Illinois SOS site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Illinois SOS site
  • The Secretary of State issues CDLs at about 140 DMV facilities statewide, and CDL testing is scheduled through the IL Fast Pass system.
  • Proof of legal presence must be shown when you apply for, upgrade, transfer or renew a CDL, including when you take the skills test.

These IL 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 Illinois fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Illinois

IL has 106 registered training locations across 74 cities on the FMCSA registry: 92 registered for Class A, 52 for Class B, 21 for the passenger endorsement and 15 for school bus. 64 of the 106 (60%) publish a website, and the newest IL registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Chicago CDL schools, Aurora CDL schools and Joliet CDL schools, or open the full Illinois school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Illinois

50 of the 106 registered Illinois locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so IL drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Illinois hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Illinois

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

Illinois ELDT questions

How do I schedule my Illinois CDL drive test?
Through the Secretary of State's IL Fast Pass CDL scheduling system. You can book as soon as you have your CLP, as long as the test date is at least 14 days after it was issued.
Is online ELDT accepted by the Illinois Secretary of State?
Yes. The SOS checks the FMCSA Training Provider Registry for your theory and behind-the-wheel completion, and online theory from a registered provider counts.
What documents does Illinois require for a CDL?
You need proof of legal presence in addition to standard identity and residency documents, and it is required again for skills testing and for every upgrade, transfer or renewal.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Illinois?
With one of the 106 Illinois locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Chicago, Aurora and Joliet; 92 are registered for Class A training and 52 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 IL CDL training today

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

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