Tennessee CDL & ELDT Requirements
Complete sequence to get your Tennessee CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and TN DOS requirements.
Tennessee CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture
To get a Commercial Driver's License in Tennessee, you work through Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including Tennessee — any new CDL applicant, class upgrade, or endorsement addition requires you to complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before sitting for the CDL skills test.
The complete sequence for a first-time CDL applicant in Tennessee:
- Pass the DMV permit test at TN DOS → get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
- Hold the CLP for at least 14 days (federal minimum, Tennessee follows federal)
- Complete FMCSA-approved ELDT theory training (this is what DLA Academy provides — $20 per course)
- Complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider — separate from DLA Academy
- Pass the CDL skills test at TN DOS (pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, road test)
- Receive your Tennessee CDL
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 Tennessee 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, Tennessee requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). Results typically take 30–45 days. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS) cannot add the H endorsement to your CDL until TSA clears you.
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
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS) 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 Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS).
Add the H endorsement to your Tennessee CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.
Tennessee Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at TN DOS.
Tennessee Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
Add the S endorsement to your Tennessee CDL to drive a school bus.
Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in Tennessee.
Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for Tennessee.
More Tennessee CDL Resources
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Tennessee CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today
FMCSA-approved ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.