ELDT Training in Pennsylvania — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading and Erie, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the PA theory portion is done online for $20 and your Pennsylvania record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Pennsylvania

  1. Get your CLP from PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Pennsylvania

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Pennsylvania

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the PA CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services.

Pennsylvania licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the PennDOT site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the PennDOT site
  • Since August 28, 2023 PennDOT gives the modernized CDL skills test, with pre-trip inspection, basic control and road segments, at branch offices and third-party testing programs.
  • New CDL applicants apply in person with residency documents, and the self-certification form is part of the CLP application.

These PA 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 Pennsylvania fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Pennsylvania

PA has 135 registered training locations across 108 cities on the FMCSA registry: 74 registered for Class A, 112 for Class B, 86 for the passenger endorsement and 76 for school bus. 65 of the 135 (48%) publish a website, and the newest PA registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Philadelphia CDL schools, Pittsburgh CDL schools and Reading CDL schools, or open the full Pennsylvania school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Pennsylvania

43 of the 135 registered Pennsylvania locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so PA drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Pennsylvania hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania ELDT questions

Does PennDOT accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. PennDOT verifies completion through the FMCSA Training Provider Registry; online theory from a registered provider is accepted before you schedule the skills test.
Where are CDL skills tests given in Pennsylvania?
At PennDOT driver license centers that offer CDL testing and at PennDOT-authorized third-party testing programs, all using the modernized skills test since August 2023.
Can I apply for a Pennsylvania CLP by mail?
New applicants must apply in person so PennDOT can verify residency documents; the CLP application and self-certification form are submitted at the same time.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Pennsylvania?
With one of the 135 Pennsylvania locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Reading; 74 are registered for Class A training and 112 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 PA CDL training today

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

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