You MUST Know This Before Getting Your CDL

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Their main job is to regulate and enforce safety standards for commercial vehicles — like trucks and buses — across the country.
They create the rules that keep highways safe, protect drivers, and make sure companies are following fair, legal practices.

If you’re getting a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), the FMCSA sets the standards you must meet before you can drive professionally.

ELDT stands for Entry-Level Driver Training.
As of February 7, 2022, the FMCSA requires all new CDL applicants to complete an approved ELDT course before they can take the CDL skills test or add certain endorsements (like Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus).

The ELDT course covers:

• Classroom/Theory Training (rules, safety, regulations)
   
• Behind-the-Wheel Training (actual driving skills)
   

This training must be completed through an FMCSA-approved training provider (like Nexum Horizon Trucking School) and is recorded directly into the FMCSA database.

• It’s the Law: Without completing the ELDT, you legally cannot take your CDL skills test.
   
• It Protects You: ELDT ensures you are trained in all the critical safety knowledge you need to operate a commercial vehicle.
   
• It Makes You More Employable: Employers prefer (and sometimes require) drivers who have completed proper ELDT training — it shows you’re fully qualified.
   
• It Applies to Endorsements Too: If you want to add Hazmat (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsements, you need ELDT training for each one.
   

We welcome students of all backgrounds and abilities to apply to Nexum Horizon School. Our admissions process is designed to identify students who will thrive and pass on the first try!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Nexum Horizon School, please contact us. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to assist you in any way we can.