ELDT Training in Louisiana — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Louisiana, from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette and Lake Charles, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the LA theory portion is done online for $20 and your Louisiana record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Louisiana

  1. Get your CLP from Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Louisiana

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Louisiana

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

Louisiana licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Louisiana OMV site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Louisiana OMV site
  • After passing the knowledge tests for your class and endorsements you become eligible for the skills test, which OMV schedules through its offices and authorized third-party testers.
  • First-time applicants must complete ELDT with a registered provider, and every CDL holder files a self-certification form initially and whenever their type of commerce changes.

These LA 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 Louisiana fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Louisiana

LA has 81 registered training locations across 48 cities on the FMCSA registry: 63 registered for Class A, 73 for Class B, 61 for the passenger endorsement and 60 for school bus. 29 of the 81 (36%) publish a website, and the newest LA registry record dates from September 2026.

Browse by city: New Orleans CDL schools, Baton Rouge CDL schools and Shreveport CDL schools, or open the full Louisiana school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Louisiana

51 of the 81 registered Louisiana locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so LA drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Louisiana hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Louisiana

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

Louisiana ELDT questions

Does Louisiana OMV accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. OMV verifies training in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so theory completed online with a registered provider satisfies the requirement.
What is the self-certification form Louisiana asks for?
It declares whether you drive interstate or intrastate and whether you need a medical certificate. OMV requires it when you first apply and any time your type of commerce changes.
Can I transfer a CDL from another state to Louisiana?
Yes. Transfers of a valid out-of-state Class A, B or C CDL do not require retaking written or skills tests, except the hazmat knowledge test if you carry that endorsement.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Louisiana?
With one of the 81 Louisiana locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport; 63 are registered for Class A training and 73 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 LA CDL training today

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

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