There has never been a better time to become a truck driver. With plenty of job vacancies and attractive pay, getting your commercial driver’s license is worth it.
Plus, it’s easier than ever to get your CDL with online Entry Level Driver Training courses available online. The first step to getting your CDL, the VELDT, is the prerequisite theory class for obtaining a commercial learner’s permit or CLP.
So start your CDL truck driver training and sign up for an online ELDT course today!
Quicklook: Best CDL Training Online
- Best For Veterans: The CDL School
- Best For On-the-Go Learning: CDL Online
- Best For Class B Drivers Seeking a Class A CDL: Pro Driver University
- Best For Trucking Career Guidance: CDL Mentors Online
- Best For Value: Entry Level Driver Training
5 Best CDL Training Online Options
While you cannot earn a CDL entirely online, starting your journey with an online ELDT course is an excellent way to prepare for your theory exam and on-the-road training at your own pace. In addition, all of the best online CDL training is ELDT compliant, so you can take your CLP exam and begin an exciting career as a CDL driver.
The CDL School
The CDL School’s ELDT theory course is FMCSA certified and designed to help you get your CLP in as little as ten days. With 90% of their theory candidates passing the CLP exam on their first try, the CDL school has a proven track record of providing quality education to CDL students.
The CDL school also has locations in Florida, New York, and Colorado, where drivers can complete their skills training in four weeks and provides specific career guidance for veterans through their Troops into Transportation program.
Best For: Veterans
Cost: $95
Participation Requirements: No
Program Length: 10 days
Financial Assistance: No
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with The CDL School to find out more.
Job Placement: Yes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
CDL Online
CDL Online provides a wide variety of FMCSA-approved ELDT courses for prospective commercial drivers. You can complete all of their courses at your own pace, and their classroom interface is smartphone and tablet compatible with plenty of helpful videos.
CDL Online’s philosophy is to “make online CDL training as interesting and effective as possible to ready the next generation of safe and successful commercial drivers.”
Best For: On-the-go learning
Cost:
- $150 for Class A theory
- $135 for Class B theory
Participation Requirements: No
Program Length:
- 8 hours for Class A
- 7 hours for Class B
Financial Assistance: No
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with CDL Online to find out more.
Job Placement: No
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Hazmat Endorsement
- School Bus Endorsement
Pro Driver University
Pro Driver University offers a range of FMCSA-approved ELDT theory courses to get your CLP so you can start your CDL training. They even offer a specialized CDL upgrade training course for Class B CDL holders seeking a Class A license.
Pro Driver’s ELDT courses can be completed on any advice and use microlearning to reinforce key concepts in bite-sized modules.
Best For: Class B drivers seeking a Class A CDL
Cost:
- $299 for Class A
- $199 for Class B
- $149 for B to A
Participation Requirements: No
Program Length: Self-paced within three months
Financial Assistance: No
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Pro Driver University to find out more.
Job Placement: No
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Hazmat Endorsement
CDL Mentors Online
Louisiana-based CDL Mentors not only offers hybrid CDL training in the state but offers a variety of FMCSA certified ELDT theory courses online. Unlike most other online CDL training, CDL Mentors provides job assistance and career mentorship for program participants to start their trucking career right.
Plus, all CDL Mentors students receive the career advice book “How to Obtain Free CDL Training from the U.S. Government with their course package.
Best For: Trucking career guidance
Cost:
- $399 for Class A
- $300 for Class B
Participation Requirements: No
Program Length: Self-paced
Financial Assistance: Financing is available
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with CDL Mentors Online to find out more.
Job Placement: Yes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Hazmat Endorsement
- School Bus Endorsement
- Passenger Endorsement
Entry Level Driver Training
ELDT.com offers free educational training services to drivers seeking their CLP. The only cost to students is a $25 filling and processing fee to submit your course results to the FMCSA! The Entry-Level Driver Training course is broken down into small segments with quiz questions on the same page to help you learn.
With the motto “public safety over profit,” ELDT.com is designed to make the roads safer by making learning affordable.
Best For: Value
Cost: $25
Participation Requirements: No
Program Length: Self-paced
Financial Assistance: No
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Entry Level Driver Training to find out more.
Job Placement: No
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Hazmat Endorsement
- School Bus Endorsement
- Passenger Endorsement
How Do Online CDL Trainings Work?
Online CDL training allows prospective truck drivers to take the required ELDT training at their convenience before going for their CLP. While not a replacement for an in-person CDL course, these online courses teach drivers the theory needed to be safe and responsible truck drivers.
What to Consider With Online CLD Trainings
When choosing an online CDL training course, it’s important to thoroughly compare your options to ensure you pick the right program for you.
Online Class Requirements
Even though you do not need to be physically present in a classroom to complete online CDL training, some schools may require class attendance. Although most CDL training online can be done at your own pace, some of these courses can expire after some time, usually between three months to a year.
Textbooks
With so many different options for online CDL training, some courses use textbooks rather than having fully online materials. Since everyone learns differently, consider if textbooks are a good option for you and consider this when choosing a school.
Average Loan Amount
Most students pay out of pocket for their online CDL training. Since online theory courses are usually the least expensive portion of their commercial driver training, loans are not common. However, many drivers choose to work for trucking companies that offer CDL training to cover the rest of the cost.
Computer and Internet access
Having a reliable computer and internet access is imperative in completing online CDL training. A stable connection is even more important for online learning with participation requirements since no internet means you miss the class.
Self-Paced Environment
Studying online for your CDL is an excellent option for people with busy schedules since you can choose a self-paced course that fits your schedule. However, students still need to be able to devote the necessary time to the course and self-motivation to complete their work.
Tuition Rates
Tuition rates for online ELDT online CDL training start at $25 and go up to $400. On average, CDL classes online cost around $100 to $200.
Required Federal ELDT CDL Standards
When choosing an online CDL training course for getting your CLP, you need to be sure you choose an Entry Level Driver Training compliant class certified by the FMCSA. As of February 7, 2022, all new CLP applicants must complete an ELDT course before obtaining their Commercial Learner’s Permit to train for their CDL.
Job Placement
You may want to choose an online CDL school that offers job placement assistance. While a driver that completes an online CDL training course has not yet earned their commercial driver’s license, it is never too early to start the job search. In fact, some of the best trucking companies in America even offer CDL training to new drivers.
Start CDL Training with an Online CDL Training Course Today!
Jumpstart your career with an online CDL training course. A driver’s safety and theory course called the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is now mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for applicants seeking a Class A CDL, Class B CDL, or S, P, or H endorsements for the first time. But not to worry! A certified online course will meet these requirements, getting you one step closer to your dream job.
FAQ
While you cannot earn your CDL entirely online, online CDL training that complies with the FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training regulations is a great first step to getting your CDL.
Most online CDL training courses take a few weeks to complete and can be done at your own pace. After receiving your CLP, the rest of your CDL training will take three to seven weeks.
From start to finish, most people pay between $1000 to $8000 to get their CDL. The online training portion costs around $150.
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