ELDT Training in Iowa — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Iowa, from Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the IA theory portion is done online for $20 and your Iowa record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Iowa

  1. Get your CLP from Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Iowa

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Iowa

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the IA CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division.

Iowa licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Iowa DOT site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Iowa DOT site
  • You must supply your own test vehicle with valid registration, in good working order and representative of the license class you want.
  • Since October 23, 2025 Iowa CDL medical certificates are digital, sent by your examiner through the FMCSA National Registry rather than handed in on paper.

These IA 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 Iowa fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Iowa

IA has 58 registered training locations across 45 cities on the FMCSA registry: 48 registered for Class A, 56 for Class B, 45 for the passenger endorsement and 42 for school bus. 35 of the 58 (60%) publish a website, and the newest IA registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Des Moines CDL schools, Cedar Rapids CDL schools and Davenport CDL schools, or open the full Iowa school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Iowa

35 of the 58 registered Iowa locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so IA drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Iowa hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Iowa

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

Iowa ELDT questions

Does Iowa DOT accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. Iowa DOT checks the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and theory from a registered online provider satisfies the requirement before your drive test.
Do I need to bring my own truck for the Iowa CDL drive test?
Yes. Iowa requires a registered, road-worthy vehicle representative of the class you are testing for; many drivers rent one from their behind-the-wheel training provider.
How does Iowa handle my DOT medical certificate?
As of late October 2025 the certificate is transmitted digitally from your certified medical examiner to Iowa DOT, so use an examiner on the National Registry.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Iowa?
With one of the 58 Iowa locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport; 48 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 IA CDL training today

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

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