ELDT Training in North Dakota — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in North Dakota, from Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the ND theory portion is done online for $20 and your North Dakota record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in North Dakota

  1. Get your CLP from North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division

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

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

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in North Dakota

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the ND CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division.

North Dakota licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the NDDOT site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the NDDOT site
  • If you use a third-party tester, your ELDT and the third-party skills test must be completed with the same entity; otherwise you test with the Driver License Division.
  • Since April 21, 2025 the Driver License Division no longer accepts medical examiner certificates directly; certified examiners upload them electronically.

These ND 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 Dakota fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in North Dakota

ND has 31 registered training locations across 22 cities on the FMCSA registry: 24 registered for Class A, 27 for Class B, 19 for the passenger endorsement and 18 for school bus. 9 of the 31 (29%) publish a website, and the newest ND registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Fargo CDL schools, Bismarck CDL schools and Grand Forks CDL schools, or open the full North Dakota school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in North Dakota

11 of the 31 registered North Dakota locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so ND drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the North Dakota hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in North Dakota

Each course is the federal curriculum, reported to the Training Provider Registry when a ND 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 Dakota ELDT questions

Can I train with one school and test with another in North Dakota?
Not for third-party testing. NDDOT requires the federally required training and the third-party skills test to be done with the same entity, or you take the driving test with the state Driver License Division.
Is online ELDT theory accepted by NDDOT?
Yes. Theory from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry is accepted; the same-entity rule only applies if you want a third-party skills test.
How do I get a North Dakota CLP?
Apply in person at a North Dakota driver license site, pass the knowledge tests for your class, and purchase the Commercial Learner's Permit.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in North Dakota?
With one of the 31 North Dakota locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks; 24 are registered for Class A training and 27 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 ND CDL training today

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

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