ELDT Training in Tennessee — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Tennessee, from Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Clarksville, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the TN theory portion is done online for $20 and your Tennessee record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Tennessee

  1. Get your CLP from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services

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

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Tennessee

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

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Tennessee

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the TN CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services.

Tennessee licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Tennessee Driver Services site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the Tennessee Driver Services site
  • Applicants must be at least 18 and prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence; drivers under 21 are restricted to Tennessee-only operation.
  • CDL renewals, duplicates and medical certification updates can be done through Driver Services e-Services, and the Highways for Heroes program waives the skills test for qualified military drivers.

These TN 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 Tennessee fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Tennessee

TN has 87 registered training locations across 47 cities on the FMCSA registry: 56 registered for Class A, 67 for Class B, 54 for the passenger endorsement and 43 for school bus. 35 of the 87 (40%) publish a website, and the newest TN registry record dates from October 2026.

Browse by city: Nashville CDL schools, Memphis CDL schools and Knoxville CDL schools, or open the full Tennessee school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

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

Hazmat endorsement in Tennessee

21 of the 87 registered Tennessee locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so TN drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Tennessee hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Tennessee

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

Tennessee ELDT questions

Does Tennessee accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. Tennessee requires all new applicants to complete ELDT with a registered provider and verifies it in the FMCSA registry, including online theory.
Can I update my medical certificate online in Tennessee?
Yes. Driver Services e-Services lets CDL holders renew their medical certification, renew the CDL and order duplicates without visiting a center.
What is Highways for Heroes?
A Tennessee program that waives the CDL basic road skills test for qualified military personnel with commercial vehicle experience; the knowledge tests still apply.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Tennessee?
With one of the 87 Tennessee locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville; 56 are registered for Class A training and 67 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 TN CDL training today

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

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