New training requirements for Texas commercial drivers started Feb 7. Here’s what changed
Applicants for a commercial driver license will have to meet new nationwide training requirements starting Monday, Feb. 7., according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now requiring Entry Level Driver Training, minimum federal training requirements that entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles must complete before being permitted to take a CDL skills test.
ELDT, designed to improve highway safety, establishes a single national standard for training truck and bus drivers.
Who will this requirement apply to?
The ELDT requirements apply to individuals who obtain a commercial learner’s permit on or after Feb. 7, 2022. Commercial drivers who were issued a CDL prior to Feb. 7 are not required to complete training for their respective CDL or endorsement.
The ELDT requirement applies to applicants who intend to:
- Obtain a commercial driver’s license (Class A or Class B);
Operate a school bus (S endorsement);
Operate a vehicle that carries a specific number of passengers (P endorsement);
- Transport hazardous materials, such as flammable or combustible liquids, gases or explosives (H endorsement)
How does it work?
Applicants can complete the training at a federally registered location.
After completing the training, the applicant can book an appointment online at the DPS. The DPS electronically verifies that a CDL applicant completed the required training and certification process before administering a CDL test.
This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 12:04 PM.
