ELDT Training in North Carolina — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in North Carolina, from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham and Winston-Salem, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the NC theory portion is done online for $20 and your North Carolina record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in North Carolina

  1. Get your CLP from North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in North Carolina

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in North Carolina

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the NC CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).

North Carolina licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the NCDMV site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the NCDMV site
  • CDL road test appointments cannot be made online; schedule one through NCDMV Customer Service (see the NCDMV website for current contact options).
  • Since June 28, 2025 NCDMV no longer accepts medical examiner certificates from drivers; your examiner submits them electronically through the FMCSA National Registry.

These NC 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 North Carolina fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in North Carolina

NC has 99 registered training locations across 70 cities on the FMCSA registry: 94 registered for Class A, 70 for Class B, 35 for the passenger endorsement and 10 for school bus. 63 of the 99 (64%) publish a website, and the newest NC registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Charlotte CDL schools, Raleigh CDL schools and Greensboro CDL schools, or open the full North Carolina school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in North Carolina

40 of the 99 registered North Carolina locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so NC drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the North Carolina hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in North Carolina

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

North Carolina ELDT questions

How do I schedule a CDL road test in North Carolina?
Through NCDMV Customer Service (see the NCDMV website for current contact options). CDL road tests are excluded from the online appointment system.
Does NCDMV accept online ELDT?
Yes. NCDMV checks the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before testing, and online theory from a registered provider is accepted.
Do I bring my DOT card to a North Carolina driver license office?
Not anymore. Since June 2025 medical examiner certificates are sent electronically by the examiner through the National Registry portal.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in North Carolina?
With one of the 99 North Carolina locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro; 94 are registered for Class A training and 70 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 NC CDL training today

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

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