ELDT for veterans and military drivers
Who does not need ELDT
49 CFR 380.603(a) lists the drivers ELDT does not apply to, and one group is military personnel who meet all the requirements and conditions of 49 CFR 383.77. FMCSA's July 2026 waiver says the same thing directly: individuals who get a CDL under the waiver are not subject to the ELDT rules. Active military drivers who are already excepted from CDL rules are also excepted from ELDT.
How the military waiver works
Section 383.77 lets states waive the CDL skills test, the knowledge test, or both, for people who drove in the military. For the skills test waiver you generally need:
- A military job that required driving a truck or bus, held within the last year.
- At least 2 years driving a vehicle like the one you will drive as a civilian, right before you left that job.
- A clean record for the last 2 years: no suspended or revoked license, no disqualifying offenses, at most one serious traffic violation, no at-fault crash.
- Your commanding officer's sign-off on the application form.
Every state offers the skills test waiver, but each state runs its own application. Start on your state DMV's CDL page.
The 2026 two-year extension
FMCSA issued a temporary waiver that runs from July 30, 2026 through October 29, 2026. It extends the one-year window to two years, so drivers who left a military driving job within the last two years can still qualify. States are encouraged but not required to use it. After October 29, 2026, check with your DMV whether it was renewed.
Endorsements and the TSA check
A state may also waive the knowledge tests for the Passenger, Tanker and HAZMAT endorsements if you did that kind of driving in the military within the last year. The TSA security threat assessment is still required for HAZMAT no matter what. If you are adding HAZMAT, ask your DMV whether it treats you as exempt from HAZMAT theory too. If it does not, the theory is short and online (see HAZMAT).
If you do not qualify
Did not drive in the service, drove a different type of vehicle, or are past the window? Then you are a regular entry-level driver. You need ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training from providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before your skills test. The steps are on how to get a Class A CDL.
Still on active duty: SkillBridge
DoD SkillBridge lets service members train or intern with a civilian employer during their last 180 days of active duty, with command approval. You keep your military pay and benefits during it. Some trucking programs take part, so ask your installation's SkillBridge contact. If you plan to use VA education benefits for a CDL school instead, confirm with the VA that the school is approved before you enroll.
Questions drivers ask
I drove trucks in the Army. Do I need ELDT?
Not if you qualify for and get your CDL through the military waiver under 383.77. Apply through your state DMV within the time window.
I separated three years ago. Can I still use the waiver?
Under the normal rule the window is one year, and the 2026 temporary waiver extends it to two. At three years you most likely take ELDT and the tests like any new driver. Ask your DMV.
Does the waiver skip the TSA check for HAZMAT?
No. The TSA security threat assessment is always required for the HAZMAT endorsement.
Can I take ELDT theory online while still serving?
Yes. Theory is online and self paced. Behind-the-wheel training must be done in person with a registered provider.
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