How to Get a CDL in Arizona (2026)
Complete sequence to get your Arizona CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and AZ MVD requirements.
What It Costs and Where to Start in Arizona
Every FMCSA-approved ELDT theory course is $20, online, and finished in under 2 hours. Completion is filed to the federal Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
- Hazmat — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL A — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL B — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Passenger — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- School Bus — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- 3-Endorsement Bundle — $50 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL Complete — $45 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Hazmat + Test Prep — $30 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL-A Permit Prep — $15 DMV study aid — not ELDT
Not sure which one?
- I already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement — you only need the endorsement course: Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus, $20 each. Skip CDL-A and CDL-B entirely.
- I'm brand new and have no CDL — start with CDL-A or CDL-B theory, then complete behind-the-wheel training locally. Theory alone does not get you licensed.
- I want all three endorsements — the 3-endorsement bundle is $50 instead of $60 separately.
- What's the cheapest way to do everything? — bundles are the floor: $50 for H+P+S, or $45 for CDL-A + CDL-B + permit prep. Adding Hazmat all-in, including the federal TSA background check and your state's endorsement fee, typically runs $110–$150.
- Tanker (N) or Doubles/Triples (T)? — those need no ELDT at all. They are knowledge-test only at your state DMV, so there is nothing to buy here for them.
Arizona CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture
To get a Commercial Driver's License in Arizona, you work through Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including Arizona — any new CDL applicant, class upgrade, or endorsement addition requires you to complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before sitting for the CDL skills test.
How to Get a CDL in Arizona — Step by Step
Pass the DMV permit test at AZ MVD
Study for and pass the knowledge test at Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) to earn your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
Hold your CLP for at least 14 days
Federal minimum before you can take the CDL skills test — Arizona follows the federal 14-day rule.
Complete FMCSA-approved ELDT theory training
This is what DLA Academy provides — $20 per course, 100% online, auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
Complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training
Done at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider for CDL-A and CDL-B — separate from DLA Academy. Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus are theory-only on the federal side.
Pass the CDL skills test at AZ MVD
Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and the road test. AZ MVD verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before you test.
Receive your Arizona CDL
Once you pass, AZ MVD issues your CDL — you're cleared to drive commercially.
Hazmat endorsement applicants additionally need TSA threat-assessment fingerprinting through IDEMIA Universal Enroll (standard process — typical wait time 30–45 days for clearance).
Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training — Required, But Not From Us
For CDL-A and CDL-B applicants, federal ELDT requirements have two parts: theory (what DLA Academy provides) and behind-the-wheel training (BTW). BTW must be completed at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider — typically a trucking school, a CDL training facility, or an employer-sponsored program. DLA Academy does not offer BTW.
BTW for CDL-A and CDL-B typically takes 40–160+ hours depending on the program, costs $3,000–$10,000+ depending on the provider, and must be done at an FMCSA-registered facility (the FMCSA TPR has a directory) — many are located in Arizona metro areas.
For Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsements: no BTW required. Those endorsements are theory-only on the federal side — though some states require additional in-vehicle testing for School Bus and Passenger at the state level.
TSA Hazmat Fingerprinting
For the Hazmat endorsement, Arizona requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). Results typically take 30–45 days. Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) cannot add the H endorsement to your CDL until TSA clears you.
Arizona CDLs are issued by Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD).
Pre-February 2022 CDL Holders — Are You Grandfathered?
The FMCSA ELDT mandate took effect February 7, 2022. If your CDL was issued before that date, you are grandfathered for your current license class. You don't have to retroactively complete ELDT to keep driving.
BUT — grandfathering only covers your existing license class. If you're doing any of the following after February 7, 2022, ELDT is required regardless of when your CDL was issued:
- Upgrading from Class B to Class A → need CDL-A Theory ELDT
- Upgrading from Class C to Class B → need CDL-B Theory ELDT
- Adding the Hazmat (H) endorsement → need Hazmat ELDT
- Adding the Passenger (P) endorsement → need Passenger ELDT
- Adding the School Bus (S) endorsement → need School Bus ELDT
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before issuing the new class or endorsement.
Apply for your CLP, schedule skills tests, and verify ELDT submission through your state agency's CDL portal.
Every course is FMCSA-approved and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry. Accepted at Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD).
Add the H endorsement to your Arizona CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.
Arizona Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at AZ MVD.
Arizona Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
Add the S endorsement to your Arizona CDL to drive a school bus.
Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in Arizona.
Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for Arizona.
Common Questions About ELDT & CDL Endorsements
More Arizona CDL Resources
Arizona ELDT Pricing — Every Course, Every Bundle
Every individual FMCSA-approved ELDT course on DLA Academy is $20 flat in Arizona — no discounts, no surge pricing, no surprise fees. Bundles save money when you're stacking endorsements:
- Hazmat ELDT — $20 (H endorsement, theory only)
- CDL-A Theory ELDT — $20 (BTW required separately at a local FMCSA-registered provider)
- CDL-B Theory ELDT — $20 (BTW required separately)
- School Bus ELDT — $20 (S endorsement)
- Passenger ELDT — $20 (P endorsement)
- CDL-A Permit Prep — $15 (DMV practice questions — not ELDT, paired study aid)
- Hazmat ELDT + DMV Test Prep Bundle — $30 (Hazmat ELDT + Hazmat DMV knowledge-test prep, saves $5)
- CDL Complete Bundle — $45 (CDL-A ELDT + CDL-B ELDT + CDL-A Permit Prep, saves $10)
- 3-Endorsement Bundle (H + P + S) — $50 (saves $10 vs. buying each separately)
The Bundle Math — Every Bundle Saves You Money
All three bundles are genuine discounts off buying the components individually. The math:
- 3-Endorsement Bundle ($50): Hazmat + Passenger + School Bus ELDT. Individual price: $20 × 3 = $60. Saves $10. Worth it if you're adding all three endorsements.
- CDL Complete Bundle ($45): CDL-A Theory ELDT + CDL-B Theory ELDT + CDL-A Permit Prep. Individual price: $20 + $20 + $15 = $55. Saves $10. The full Class A journey — both theory courses for the skills test plus 119 DMV practice questions for the permit test.
- Hazmat ELDT + DMV Test Prep ($30): Hazmat ELDT plus the Hazmat DMV knowledge-test prep — paired together for the driver studying for both the FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT and the state DMV Hazmat knowledge test at once. Saves $5 compared to buying the components individually.
Whatever you pick, Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA Training Provider Registry — DLA Academy auto-submits within 24 hours of completion.
ELDT Training Cost — DLA Academy vs Other ELDT Training Providers
How much is ELDT training? Across FMCSA-approved ELDT training providers, the online theory course typically runs $23–$75. DLA Academy is consistently the lowest-priced FMCSA-approved option at $20 per course — same regulatory coverage (Appendix A to Part 380), same auto-submission to the FMCSA TPR, same 49-state acceptance. The only differences are the price tag and the experience: under 2 hours, mobile-friendly, no hidden fees, no checkout upsells.
| ELDT Training Provider | Cost Per Course | Format |
|---|---|---|
| DLA Academy | $20 | 100% online, <2 hrs, mobile |
| Typical approved provider | $23–$50 | Online, often with upsells |
| Higher-priced providers | $50–$75 | Online, longer courses |
What's identical at every approved provider: the curriculum (set by FMCSA), the registration with the federal TPR, and the legal weight of the completion. What's different: the ELDT training cost, course length, and how aggressive the upsells are. At $20, DLA Academy is the cheapest FMCSA-approved ELDT training cost on the market.
Arizona CDL & ELDT Fees (2026)
What you'll actually pay to get your Arizona CDL: DLA Academy charges a flat $20 per FMCSA-approved ELDT course, and the federal TSA Hazmat background check is a fixed national fee. The state DMV fees below are set by AZ MVD and vary — we link the official source rather than print a number that could be out of date.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA-approved ELDT theory (DLA Academy) | $20 per course | Flat rate — Hazmat, CDL-A, CDL-B, Passenger, or School Bus |
| CDL-A Permit Prep (optional study aid) | $15 | DMV knowledge-test practice — not ELDT |
| Arizona CLP / permit fee | Varies — check AZ MVD | Set by AZ MVD, paid at the DMV |
| Arizona CDL license fee | Varies — check AZ MVD | Set by AZ MVD |
| Arizona endorsement fee (H / P / S) | Varies — check AZ MVD | Set by AZ MVD, per endorsement |
| TSA Hazmat background check | ~$86.50 (~$41 with a valid TWIC) | Federal TSA fee via IDEMIA — Hazmat endorsement only |
Only the DLA Academy ELDT price and the federal TSA Hazmat fee are fixed nationwide; AZ MVD sets the permit, license, and endorsement fees. Confirm current amounts on the official AZ MVD site before you budget.
Quick Answers — 3-Endorsement Bundle (Hazmat + Passenger + School Bus) in Arizona
Who needs it?
Drivers adding the Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsements in Arizona. Each endorsement obtained after February 7, 2022 needs its own FMCSA-approved ELDT — the bundle covers all three.
How long does it take?
Under 6 hours total. It's self-paced and 100% online — start and stop on any device.
How much does it cost?
$50 for the 3-Endorsement Bundle (Hazmat + Passenger + School Bus) at DLA Academy — the lowest-priced FMCSA-approved option, with no hidden fees.
Can I do it online?
Yes. The entire course is online and your completion is auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours — no classroom and no appointment.
What's next?
Finish all three ELDT courses, then schedule the H, P, and S knowledge tests at AZ MVD, plus TSA fingerprinting for the Hazmat endorsement.
Why Bundle?
Each individual ELDT course at DLA Academy is $20. The 3-endorsement bundle is $50 — saving you $10 compared to buying Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus separately. Each course is FMCSA-approved and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry within 24 hours of completion, and all three are accepted by Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD).
What's Inside the Bundle
- Hazmat ELDT (H endorsement) — FMCSA-approved theory training
- Passenger ELDT (P endorsement) — 16+ passenger vehicles
- School Bus ELDT (S endorsement) — student transport
- All three auto-submitted to FMCSA TPR within 24 hours
- Lifetime course access on any device
- Self-paced — start and stop anytime
More Arizona ELDT Resources
Owner-Operator Resources
Arizona CDL Requirements — Quick Reference
To get any Commercial Driver's License in Arizona you'll work through Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD). Federal ELDT requirements apply across all 49 states — DLA Academy's online theory courses satisfy the ELDT mandate, and behind-the-wheel training (where required for CDL A or CDL B) must be completed locally at an FMCSA-registered BTW provider.
For Hazmat endorsements, Arizona uses the standard IDEMIA TSA enrollment process — schedule your fingerprinting through Universal Enroll.
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"DLA Academy's Hazmat ELDT was straightforward and finished in under two hours. Completion auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry the same day."
"Twenty bucks for FMCSA-approved ELDT and it actually showed up on the registry when my DMV checked. Cheapest legit option I found."
"Took the 3-endorsement bundle (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus). $50 total, completed on my phone, all three on the TPR within 24 hours. Done."
Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Arizona CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today
FMCSA-approved ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.