Written by the America’s Driving Force team · Reviewed by Joel Curtis, retired professional truck driver · Published September 29, 2026 · Last reviewed September 29, 2026 · Sources are listed at the end
You generally cannot skip training. Since February 7, 2022, first-time applicants for a Class A or Class B CDL, and for school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsements, must complete entry-level driver training from a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before the skills test (theory only for hazmat). The rule does not require a traditional school or a set number of hours, but it does require a registered provider.
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The short answer: training is required, a traditional school is not
You cannot skip training altogether, but you may not need a traditional truck driving school. The rules changed in 2022. According to FMCSA’s entry-level driver training (ELDT) page, the federal ELDT regulations set the baseline training requirements for anyone seeking to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL, or obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
Applicants in those groups must complete the training with a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before they are permitted to take the required CDL skills or knowledge test. That is the answer to “Can I get a CDL without going to school?”: the federal rule requires training from a registered provider, not a specific kind of school. Older advice that says you can simply study the manual and practice with a friend no longer applies to first-time applicants covered by the rule.
Who must complete entry-level driver training
Per the Training Provider Registry’s applicability page, entry-level driver training is required for first-time applicants for a Class A or Class B CDL, Class B CDL holders seeking to upgrade to Class A, and first-time applicants for a school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement. The requirements apply to individuals who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) on or after February 7, 2022.
The rules are not retroactive. FMCSA says people who were issued a CDL or an S, P or H endorsement before February 7, 2022 are not required to complete training for that license or endorsement, and that if you hold or have ever held a Class A or Class B CDL, you do not need entry-level training for the type of license you hold or held. If you obtained a CLP before that date and get your CDL before the CLP or its renewal expires, you are not subject to the requirement either.
The regulations also do not apply to individuals excepted from the CDL requirements under 49 CFR Part 383, including certain military personnel who meet the conditions of 49 CFR 383.77. Check the exceptions on FMCSA’s page before you decide whether the rule covers you.
What training each license or endorsement requires
The type of training depends on the license or endorsement. FMCSA’s frequently asked questions summarize it this way:
| License or endorsement | Training must be verified before | Theory training | Behind-the-wheel training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL (new or upgrade) | CDL skills test | Yes | Yes: range and public road |
| Class B CDL | CDL skills test | Yes | Yes: range and public road |
| Passenger (P) endorsement | P skills test | Yes | Yes: range or public road |
| School bus (S) endorsement | S skills test | Yes | Yes: range or public road |
| Hazardous materials (H) endorsement | H knowledge test | Yes | No |
FMCSA also notes that if you complete the training required for a Class A CDL but decide to get a Class B CDL instead, that training satisfies the requirement for the Class B skills test as well. States must not administer the tests until they verify that the applicant has completed the required training.
What "registered training provider" means
A registered training provider is an organization that has applied to FMCSA and been listed on the Training Provider Registry. FMCSA’s training provider page is clear that FMCSA does not approve or certify providers; it approves applications for providers to be listed. Providers must register, self-certify that they meet the federal and state requirements, and submit each driver’s training certification to the registry by midnight of the second business day after the driver completes training.
According to FMCSA’s provider FAQ, to be listed a provider must follow a curriculum that meets the criteria in the regulation, use qualifying facilities, vehicles and instructors, meet recordkeeping requirements, and be licensed, certified, registered or authorized under the laws of any state where in-person training takes place. The same FAQ says providers do not have to be accredited by a third-party organization to be listed.
The registry’s home page showed 18,231 active providers, 31,002 active locations and 2,027,642 drivers trained since February 2022 when we read it on September 29, 2026. It also has a “Find a Provider” search by training type and location, and lets you check your own training record after you finish.
What the federal rule does not require
Several requirements that people assume exist do not. FMCSA’s answers to common questions say:
- No minimum hours. The regulations do not set a minimum number of hours for theory training or for behind-the-wheel training. Theory training must cover the required topics, and trainees must score at least 80 percent on the theory assessment. Behind-the-wheel proficiency is based on the instructor’s assessment of each trainee.
- No required order. There is no mandatory sequence for theory, range and public road training, and theory does not have to be finished before you get a CLP. Behind-the-wheel training must be completed before the skills test.
- Separate providers are allowed. Theory and behind-the-wheel training can come from different providers, as long as both are on the registry.
- You may train in another state. A driver can receive training and pass the skills test in a different state, and the driver’s home state must accept the skills test results. Home states may still impose their own additional requirements.
- Simulators do not replace driving. Behind-the-wheel training cannot be done on a driving simulator, although simulators may be used in theory training.
- No manual transmission requirement. Training in a manual transmission vehicle is needed only if you expect to drive one after getting your CDL and are being trained in one.
Can a friend or family member teach you instead?
Can a driver friend teach you instead? Not by itself. The rule requires training from a registered provider, and 49 CFR 380.609 says a first-time Class A or Class B applicant must complete training from a provider listed on the registry. FMCSA also sets minimum instructor qualifications: for example, behind-the-wheel instructors must hold a CDL of the same or a higher class with the endorsements needed to operate the vehicle, and FMCSA’s FAQ describes a requirement of at least two years of experience driving a commercial vehicle or two years as a behind-the-wheel instructor. Informal practice can help you prepare, but it does not replace the required training unless it is delivered through a listed provider.
Step by step: from permit to skills test
Based on FMCSA’s guidance, the path for a first-time Class A or Class B applicant looks like this:
- Confirm the rule applies to you using FMCSA’s applicability page and its list of exceptions.
- Get your commercial learner’s permit through your state driver licensing agency, following your state’s process. Theory training does not have to be finished first.
- Choose a registered provider with the registry’s Find a Provider search. Check what your state requires, because states can add requirements for training in that state.
- Complete the training. The provider submits your certification to FMCSA through the registry.
- Check your record on the registry to confirm your training was submitted.
- Take the skills test. Your state verifies your training before it will administer the test.
Training is only one part of getting a CDL. You must also meet your state’s licensing requirements, including the knowledge tests and the medical certification. See our guides to Class A vs Class B CDL licenses and the cost of CDL training, and browse trucking companies in all 50 states when you are ready to look for work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a CDL without going to a truck driving school?
You can if your training comes from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, because the federal rule requires registered training rather than a particular kind of school. First-time Class A and Class B applicants who got their permit on or after February 7, 2022 must complete it before the skills test.
How many hours of CDL training are required?
The federal entry-level driver training rule sets no minimum number of hours for theory or behind-the-wheel training. Trainees must cover the required topics, score at least 80 percent on the theory assessment, and be judged proficient by the instructor. States can add their own requirements.
Can I do CDL training online?
FMCSA describes online theory training delivered by qualifying instructors, and says simulators may be used in theory training. Behind-the-wheel training cannot be done on a simulator. Check that any online provider is listed on the Training Provider Registry.
Do I need entry-level driver training if I already have a CDL?
Generally not for the license you hold or held. Existing CDL holders need training only if they apply for a new license class or a first-time school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsement, and some individuals are excepted under 49 CFR Part 383, including certain military personnel.
How do I check that my training was recorded?
Your provider submits your certification to FMCSA through the registry, and you can check your record on the Training Provider Registry website. Providers must submit it by midnight of the second business day after you complete training.
Related guides
- Class A vs Class B CDL licenses
- How much does CDL training cost?
- Get CDL training with America's Driving Force
- Trucking companies in all 50 states
About the reviewer
Joel Curtis is a retired professional truck driver with more than 30 years of over-the-road experience in Canada and the United States. He reviews our guides for practical accuracy from a driver’s point of view. Every guide is built from the official sources listed below.
Sources
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- ELDT Applicability, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- Frequently Asked Questions: Training Requirements, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- Frequently Asked Questions: Provider Requirements, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- Training Provider Registry, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Training Providers, FMCSA Training Provider Registry
- 49 CFR 380.609: General entry-level driver training requirements, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, fees and requirements change, so confirm current details with the agencies listed above and your state before you act.