Entry-Level Driver Training
Beginning February 7, 2022, per the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations, entry-level drivers will be permitted to take required commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills or knowledge test for hazmat, only if the state can verify that the driver has successfully completed the required training, administered by a registered training provider. Applicants must be trained by an authorized Entry-Level Training Provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). The TPR site is maintained by FMCSA which has the authority to remove any provider that fails to meet or maintain any of the qualifications established by federal or state regulations.
Entry level drivers are considered those who:
- Obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver's license for the first time
- Upgrade of an existing Class B to a Class A commercial driver's license
- Are taking a skills exam to add school bus(S) and/or passenger (P) to their CDL
- Obtain a hazardous material endorsement (HME) endorsement for the first time
Exemptions
Entry-Level Driver Training IS NOT required of drivers who:
- Had a CDL previously that has been downgraded or expired for over 1 year
- Held a CDL issued prior to 2/7/2022 with the classes and endorsements being applied for
- Hold a valid, unexpired commercial learner's permit issued prior to 2/7/2022 with the classes and endorsements being applied for
- Are Military members obtaining a CDL using a Skills Waiver or Even Exchange form
- Are custom harvesters
- Are seasonal CDL holders
- Are farm owners when they meet the qualifications of not for hire, transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies both to or from a farm and operate within 150 miles of their farm
- Are firefighters
- Drive emergency vehicles
- Drive snow and ice removal vehicles
- Are completing a skills test to remove a restriction
Training providers
The training providers will ensure that entry-level drivers receive the required theory and behind-the-wheel training. All training providers must teach a curriculum that includes all components required by appendices A through E of part 380 of Federal Regulations and must meet all (FMCSA) requirements to provide ELDT, including:
- Require applicants for behind-the-wheel training to certify that they will comply with federal, state, and local laws related to operating a commercial vehicle.
- Employ instructors that meet the federal regulatory requirements (See ELDT Instructors below)
- Utilize facilities that meet the criteria set forth in 49 CFR § 380.709;
- Utilize vehicles that meet the criteria set forth in 49 CFR § 380.711;
- Allow FMCSA or its authorized representative to audit or investigate the training provider's operations to ensure that the provider meets the criteria set forth in this section.
- Verify that all students taking the behind-the-wheel portion of the ELDT curriculum hold a valid commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license, as applicable
- Electronically transmit training completion information through the TPR web site by midnight of the second business day after the training is completed
To find a Training Provider, please visit https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. CDL applicants will access the Training Provider Registry to begin their search for a training provider. Only training providers listed on the Training Provider Registry can certify that a driver has successfully completed the required entry-level driver training.
ELDT Driver Resources on Training Provider Registry
- ELDT CDL Process Flows job aid
- ELDT Applicability Flow Chart
- Training Provider Registry Talking Points
Becoming a Training Provider
Before applying, applicants should review the federal and state law applying to ELDT, including:
- 49 CFR § 380 Parts F and G and Appendices A through E, and
- § 46.2-1708 et seq.
To sign up to become a training provider, please visit https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Exams
Written
For CDL written exams, CDL changes, or CDL renewals, please visit https://www.ksrevenue.gov/DOVAppointmentInfo/ to schedule an appointment with any state driver’s license office. To view a PDF version of the current Kansas Commercial Driver’s License Handbook, please visit https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/cdlhandbook.pdf.
Skills
CDL skills exams are by appointment only. Please call or email your preferred office in the table below to schedule your CDL drive. At this time, CDL skills exam appointments cannot be scheduled online.
| Office | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chanute | 301 W. 14th St. Chanute, KS 66720 |
620-431-7080 | KDOR_ChanuteDL@KS.GOV |
| Colby | 990 S. Range St. #3 Colby, KS 67701 |
785-462-3620 | KDOR_ColbyDL@KS.GOV |
| Dodge City | 2601 Central Ave. Dodge City, KS 67801 |
620-227-2944 | KDOR_DodgeCityDL@KS.GOV |
| Edgerton | 30750 w 193rd St. Edgerton, KS 66021 |
785-581-2864 | KDOR_EdgertonCDL@KS.GOV |
| Garden City | 2506 N Johns St. Garden City, KS 67846 |
620-276-8411 | KDOR_GardenCityDL@KS.GOV |
| Hays | 1222 Canterbury Dr. Hays, KS 67601 |
785-625-6917 | KDOR_HaysDL@KS.GOV |
| Phillipsburg | 502 S. 7th St.Phillipsburg, KS 67661 |
785-543-5594 | KDOR_PhillipsburgDL@KS.GOV |
| Salina | 2910 Arnold Ave.Salina, KS 67402 | 785-825-0321 | KDOR_SalinaDL@KS.GOV |
| Seneca | 203 N 8th St. Ste 2Seneca, KS 66538 | 785-336-6454 | KDOR_SenecaDL@KS.GOV |
| Topeka | 3907 SW Burlingame Rd.Topeka, KS 66609 | 785-266-8431 | N/A |
| Wichita | 1873 W 21st N. Wichita, KS 67203 |
785-940-1353 | KDOR_WichitaDL@KS.GOV |
Questions? Visit https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ.