Virginia CDL Requirements 2026

Virginia CDL & ELDT Requirements: What You Need to Know

Complete sequence to get your Virginia CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and Virginia DMV requirements.

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To get a CDL in Virginia, you'll work through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate took effect February 7, 2022, meaning anyone pursuing a CDL-A, CDL-B, or endorsement (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus) must complete FMCSA-approved online training before the skills test. This page walks you through the Virginia DMV process, who needs ELDT, and what happens after.

Virginia CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture

To get a Commercial Driver's License in Virginia, you work through Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including Virginia — 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 Virginia:

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 Virginia 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 Step

TSA Hazmat Fingerprinting

For the Hazmat endorsement, Virginia requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). Results typically take 30–45 days. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) 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:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before issuing the new class or endorsement.

Virginia State Agency
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV)

Apply for your CLP, schedule skills tests, and verify ELDT submission through your state agency's CDL portal.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/cdl

Virginia ELDT Options
Choose Your Virginia ELDT Course

Every course is FMCSA-approved and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry. Accepted at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV).

H Endorsement
Hazmat ELDT

Add the H endorsement to your Virginia CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.

$20Enroll →
Class A
CDL A Theory ELDT

Virginia Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at Virginia DMV.

$20Enroll →
Class B
CDL B Theory ELDT

Virginia Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.

$20Enroll →
S Endorsement
School Bus ELDT

Add the S endorsement to your Virginia CDL to drive a school bus.

$20Enroll →
P Endorsement
Passenger ELDT

Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in Virginia.

$20Enroll →
3-in-1 Bundle
H + P + S Bundle

Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for Virginia.

$50Enroll →

More Virginia CDL Resources

Virginia ELDT Hub → Virginia ELDT Cost → Virginia CDL Permit Test → Browse All 49 States → DAT Load Board for New Drivers → Freight Factoring — Get Paid Faster →
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What DLA Academy Drivers Say

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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ELDT to get a CDL in Virginia?+
Yes, if you're applying for a CDL after February 7, 2022. The federal FMCSA mandate requires ELDT before the skills test. If you already hold a CDL issued before that date, you're grandfathered and don't need retroactive ELDT for that license class. However, if you're upgrading from CDL-B to CDL-A, or adding a new endorsement (H, P, or S) to an old CDL, you must complete ELDT for that upgrade or endorsement. The Virginia DMV (Virginia DMV) verifies your ELDT completion by checking the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
What's the difference between ELDT, the permit test, and behind-the-wheel training?+
ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) is the federal online theory course — $20 per endorsement or class. You complete it with DLA Academy and it auto-submits to the FMCSA registry within 24 hours. The permit test (DMV knowledge test) is a separate written exam you take at the Virginia DMV after holding a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) for at least 14 days — it covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles (depending on the class). Behind-the-wheel (BTW) training is hands-on driving instruction at a local FMCSA-registered provider — DLA Academy does not provide BTW. You need all three steps to get your CDL.
How does TSA Hazmat fingerprinting work in Virginia?+
If you're getting the Hazmat (H) endorsement, you'll need TSA security clearance, which requires fingerprinting. In Virginia, enroll in TSA Hazmat through IDEMIA Universal Enroll online. You'll schedule a fingerprint appointment at an IDEMIA location, pass the background check, and receive your TSA clearance. Only after clearance is granted can the Virginia DMV issue your H endorsement. The ELDT Hazmat course covers Hazmat regulations but not TSA enrollment — you handle that separately with IDEMIA.
What's the timeline for getting a CDL in Virginia?+
DLA's ELDT courses complete in under 2 hours, and your completion auto-submits to the FMCSA registry within 24 hours. After that, you apply for a CLP at the Virginia DMV, wait 14 days, then take the permit test. Once you pass, you're eligible to schedule the skills test with a local BTW provider. Hazmat adds TSA enrollment time (typically 1–2 weeks for the fingerprint appointment and clearance). BTW scheduling depends on local provider availability — sometimes days, sometimes weeks. The total process is usually 2–8 weeks from ELDT completion to CDL in hand.
What does the Virginia DMV do after I submit my ELDT completion?+
When you complete an FMCSA-approved ELDT course with DLA Academy, we auto-submit your completion to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours. The Virginia DMV (Virginia DMV) doesn't receive the completion directly — instead, it queries the FMCSA registry when you apply for your CLP or skills test. As long as your name, date of birth, and license number match the registry, the Virginia DMV verifies your ELDT and you're clear to proceed. If there's a mismatch, contact DLA Academy support to confirm your completion details.

Virginia CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today

FMCSA-approved ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

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