California ELDT Theory Online: DMV Steps and Rules (2026)

Anyone getting a first Class A or B CDL, a Class B to A upgrade, or a first S, P or H endorsement in California needs ELDT. Theory can be done online with any provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and California DMV checks completion before the skills test or the hazmat knowledge test.

Last reviewed 2026-11-02

This page covers what the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says about entry-level driver training (ELDT), in the order you will meet each step. Where DMV has not published a detail we could verify, we say so and link to the agency instead of guessing.

Who needs ELDT in California?

California applicants must complete ELDT with a provider on the federal Training Provider Registry. According to the California DMV CDL page, this applies to:

• An original Class A or Class B CDL
• An upgrade from Class B to Class A
• A first-time School Bus (S), Passenger (P) or Hazmat (H) endorsement

This matches the FMCSA ELDT rule, which also says drivers who held those credentials before February 7, 2022 are not affected.

Older permits. DMV says applicants with a valid CLP issued before February 7, 2022 do not need to complete ELDT, as long as they get the CDL before that CLP expires (California DMV).

Age. DMV lists a minimum age of 18 for a commercial driver. Drivers aged 18 to 20 with a CDL may drive only loads that do not originate outside California (California DMV commercial driver information).

Non-domiciled applicants. To comply with new U.S. DOT rules, DMV paused non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs. The pause covers originals, renewals, duplicates, corrections, upgrades, transfers and pending transactions for applicants with limited legal presence (California DMV). DMV's March 6, 2026 release said the federal government required it to cancel about 13,000 non-domiciled CDLs. Those affected may reapply, but DMV cannot issue non-domiciled CDLs until FMCSA lifts its pause. If this might apply to you, check the DMV page before paying for any training.

Federal rules vs California rules

Topic	Federal rule	California specifics
Who must complete ELDT	First-time Class A or B, Class B to A upgrade, first-time S, P or H endorsement (FMCSA)	Same groups, using a provider on the federal registry (California DMV)
Theory delivery	Can be completed online with any provider on the Training Provider Registry; no minimum hours; ends with an assessment (FMCSA)	DMV only asks that the provider be on the federal registry (California DMV)
Provider reporting	Providers report each completion to the registry by midnight of the second business day after training (49 CFR 380.717)	DMV verifies completion electronically under 49 CFR 383.73 (California DMV)
When ELDT is checked	Before the skills test or hazmat knowledge test	DMV verifies before a skills test or before an H knowledge test, and applicants must finish before the scheduled appointment date. DMV does not publish ELDT verification before the CLP (California DMV)
CLP wait before skills test	At least 14 days after CLP issue (49 CFR 383.25)	New applicants, and anyone changing class, endorsement or restriction in a way that needs a skills test, must hold the CLP at least 14 days (California DMV)
Behind-the-wheel training	Required by the federal rule for Class A and B	Original Class A or B applicants need at least 15 hours. A certified provider completes Section 2 of form DL 1236, submitted to DMV before the CDL is issued (California DMV)
Hazmat security check	TSA security threat assessment (TSA)	Start after applying for the CDL and passing the knowledge tests. The CLP or temporary license is marked not valid for hazmat (California DMV)
CLP validity	Set by the state	Valid up to 180 days, renewable for up to 180 more days, not past one year from the application date. DMV's standards sheet is dated 2015, so confirm current terms with DMV (DMV standards sheet)

Step by step: getting your CDL in California

1. Check that you are eligible. You do this, using DMV's pages. Confirm the minimum age of 18 and read the non-domiciled pause notice if it could apply to you. Agency: California DMV commercial driver information.
2. Complete the online CDL application. You do this, then schedule a knowledge test appointment. Each required test allows three attempts, and DMV gives no knowledge tests within 30 minutes of closing. Agency: California DMV Commercial Permit page.
3. Pass the knowledge tests and get your CLP. You do this at DMV. DMV says it issues the CLP after the knowledge tests are passed. ELDT is not verified before the CLP, but it must be finished before an H knowledge test. Agency: California DMV.
4. Finish ELDT theory with a registry-listed provider. You do this, and the provider reports your completion to the registry. Confirm any provider at the Training Provider Registry. Agency: FMCSA ELDT page.
5. Complete behind-the-wheel training (Class A or B). Your training provider does this with you. Original Class A or B applicants need at least 15 hours, and the provider completes Section 2 of form DL 1236. Submit it to DMV before the CDL is issued. Agency: California DMV.
6. Start the TSA check if you want the H endorsement. You do this with TSA. Pre-enroll with TSA before visiting a Universal Enrollment Services center. DMV says to start after applying for the CDL and passing the knowledge tests. Agency: California DMV hazmat TSA page.
7. Wait out the 14 days and book the skills test. You do this in DMV's online Appointment Center by choosing Commercial under Schedule My Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test. You get three tries and pay a retest fee each time. Agency: California DMV Commercial Permit page.
8. Take the skills test. DMV electronically verifies your ELDT completion before the test, so finish training before the appointment date. Agency: California DMV.

Start Class A ELDT theory for $18.99

Need a different course? RoadCert also offers Class B, Hazmat and Passenger theory.

ELDT by class in California

Class A. An original Class A CDL, or an upgrade from Class B to Class A, requires ELDT from a provider on the federal registry. DMV lists at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training for original Class A or B applicants (California DMV). For an upgrade, ask your provider and DMV what applies to you.

Class B. An original Class B CDL follows the same ELDT process as Class A. The 15-hour behind-the-wheel minimum and the DL 1236 form apply to original Class B applicants too, and DMV verifies ELDT before the skills test (California DMV).

Hazmat (H). A first-time H endorsement requires ELDT, and DMV verifies it before the hazmat knowledge test. You also need a TSA security threat assessment, and the CLP or temporary license is marked not valid for hazmat (California DMV). The RoadCert Hazmat course covers theory only, and no behind-the-wheel portion is required for the Hazmat endorsement.

Passenger (P). A first-time P endorsement requires ELDT with a registry-listed provider (California DMV). RoadCert sells a Passenger theory course. See also Do You Need ELDT for a Passenger Endorsement?.

School Bus (S). A first-time S endorsement also requires ELDT (California DMV). RoadCert does not sell a School Bus course, so search the Training Provider Registry for a provider that lists it.

Can I take ELDT theory online in California?

Yes. Federal rules allow ELDT theory to be completed online with any provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Theory has no minimum number of hours and ends with an assessment (FMCSA). California DMV asks that the provider be on the federal registry, and it checks completion electronically (California DMV).

RoadCert is listed on the Training Provider Registry and reports each student's completion for them. The courses are 100% online and self-paced, and they work on a phone or a computer. You get access right after payment and receive an email to set up your account. You can confirm any provider, including us, at the registry.

Online theory covers only the classroom part. Class A and B applicants still need behind-the-wheel training, which must be done in person. For more on choosing a provider, see Where to Take ELDT Theory Training Online.

What does it cost in California?

RoadCert theory is $18.99 per course. That covers Class A, Class B, Hazmat or Passenger theory.

The DMV facts we could verify do not include fee amounts. DMV says you pay a retest fee each time you retake the skills test (California DMV). For current DMV application, permit and license fees, check the California DMV CDL page. For the TSA hazmat fee, check the DMV hazmat TSA page. Behind-the-wheel training prices are set by each provider, so ask them directly. For a national view, see Average CDL Training Cost by State.

Finding behind-the-wheel training in California

Use the FMCSA Training Provider Registry to search for providers. Confirm that the provider is listed, that it offers the class or endorsement you need, and that it can complete Section 2 of form DL 1236 if you are an original Class A or B applicant (California DMV). We do not list or rank schools here.

After your behind-the-wheel hours, plan your skills test. The CDL Skills Test Explained covers the inspection, control and road portions.

Run a CDL school in California? Theory seats are $18.99 each, or $14.24 each when you buy 3 or more, and a branded student portal is $300 a month with 25 students included. See school options.

Sources

• Commercial Driver's Licenses, California DMV: checked 2026-11-02
• Commercial Driver Information, California DMV: checked 2026-11-02
• Commercial Permit, California DMV: checked 2026-11-02
• Commercial Driver License Testing and Commercial Learner's Permit Standards, California DMV: checked 2026-11-02
• TSA Background Check for HAZMAT Endorsement, California DMV: checked 2026-11-02
• Federal Government Requires California DMV to Cancel Certain Non-Domiciled Driver's Licenses: checked 2026-11-02
• Entry-Level Driver Training, FMCSA: checked 2026-11-02
• 49 CFR 380.717, eCFR: checked 2026-11-02
• 49 CFR 383.25, eCFR: checked 2026-11-02
• Hazmat Endorsement, TSA: checked 2026-11-02
• Training Provider Registry, FMCSA: checked 2026-11-02

Related

• Class A ELDT theory
• Class B ELDT theory
• Hazmat ELDT theory
• Passenger ELDT theory
• What Is ELDT and Do You Need It to Get a CDL?
• Hazmat Endorsement TSA Background Check, Explained