Class A ELDT in Colorado - CLP to Road Test: Scheduling & Requirements

Colorado keeps CDL access tied to federal Class A ELDT rules, but the path is still quick if you do theory online first. That simple order of operations-finish your Entry-Level Driver Training theory online, obtain your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), hold it for the required period, and then schedule your skills exam with a Colorado third-party tester-removes the guesswork and tightens your timeline to a matter of days, not months.

Can I do Class A ELDT Training online in Colorado?

What ELDT is and why it exists

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is a federal training standard established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure every new commercial driver demonstrates baseline knowledge and fundamental safety competencies before attempting the CDL skills exam. ELDT has two distinct parts:

• Theory training: classroom-equivalent learning delivered in modules covering topics such as driver safety, vehicle systems, combination vehicles, air brakes, and cargo securement. This portion may be taken online when provided by an FMCSA-listed training provider.
• Behind-the-wheel training: hands-on practice conducted by a registered provider to develop real-world control, maneuvering, and on-road proficiency.

Colorado does not author its own separate theory curriculum. Instead, the state recognizes the federal framework and relies on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) to verify that you completed theory with a listed provider. That’s why you can-and should-complete theory online first: it’s faster, it’s identical in scope to what you’d cover in a classroom, and it’s visible to Colorado testers as soon as your provider reports it.

Confirmation for Colorado: online ELDT is accepted

Because ELDT is a federal requirement, Colorado accepts theory completions from any FMCSA-approved provider listed on the Training Provider Registry. In other words, if your provider is on the TPR and reports your completion, Colorado will be able to see it, and you’ll be eligible to move forward to your CLP and, later, to your skills exam.

The ELDT Nation approach that fits Colorado’s process

In partnership with Orlando Truck Driving Academy, ELDT Nation delivers an online Class A theory experience designed to get you test-ready quickly while still meeting every federal standard. The program reflects 15+ years of teaching, a track record of 8,000+ students passed, and a trucking career trajectory where graduates often see $80,000 average student salary opportunities as they enter high-demand niches.

What you receive the moment you enroll is intentionally comprehensive and learner-friendly:

• Unlimited access until you pass, so you can revisit any module without worrying about deadlines.
• Video modules that show concepts in action, keeping your momentum high even on complex topics.
• Interactive quizzes that reinforce retention and pinpoint weak areas before they become barriers.
• Text alongside video so you can skim, search, or study quietly when video isn’t convenient.

This “no-fluff” format focuses on exactly what the FMCSA expects you to know on day one with a commercial vehicle, which is why many students complete the theory portion in a short window without sacrificing understanding or confidence.

Class A ELDT: federal rules vs Colorado specifics

Federal baseline that applies everywhere

Since early 2022, anyone obtaining a Class A CDL for the first time must complete ELDT with a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before attempting the CDL skills test. The structure never changes from state to state:

• Two-part design: theory training plus behind-the-wheel (BTW) training.
• Mandatory reporting: your provider must report successful completion to the TPR.
• Gatekeeping function: a CDL skills exam cannot be administered until theory (and any required BTW) is verifiably complete in the TPR.

For you, this means that starting with online theory is not just convenient-it is the federal unlock that allows Colorado examiners to test you.

What Colorado adds on top of federal ELDT

Colorado overlays several operational rules that shape your scheduling and documentation. Understanding these nuances helps you plan with precision:

Colorado’s 2025 DMV note you must understand

Colorado has flagged a specific administrative change tied to new FMCSA regulations: effective Monday, September 29, 2025, the Colorado DMV paused issuance and renewals of term-limited (non-domiciled) CDLs and CLPs until further notice. This is a targeted pause, and it is crucial to know whom it affects and whom it does not.

Who is affected

The pause focuses on non-domiciled or term-limited commercial credentials-commonly relevant to certain temporary, foreign-licensed, or non-Colorado-based applicants who do not meet the standard domicile proofs used for a resident CDL or CLP. If you anticipated qualifying under a temporary or limited status, you should re-check eligibility and documentation pathways before scheduling.

Who is not affected

If you are a regular Colorado resident pursuing a standard Class A CDL, this pause does not apply to you. Your pathway remains: complete ELDT theory, pass knowledge tests and obtain a CLP, hold the CLP for 14 calendar days, complete any required BTW training, and schedule your Colorado skills test with an approved third-party examiner.

Step-by-step: getting your Class A CDL in Colorado

Check eligibility and medical readiness

Before you spend on applications, test fees, or equipment, confirm that you meet Colorado’s baseline qualifications. For intrastate operation (strictly within Colorado’s borders), you must be 18 years or older; for interstate operation (crossing state lines) and for sensitive freight such as Hazmat, you must be 21+. Ensure you hold a valid Colorado driver license or can complete a seamless out-of-state transfer prior to applying for your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).

Complete ELDT theory online (ELDT Nation)

Once eligibility is clear, start with the step that unlocks everything else: Class A ELDT theory. With ELDT Nation, you enroll online, move at your own pace, and work through a structured sequence of video lessons and interactive quizzes that mirror federal requirements for the Class A pathway. The assessments are designed so that you master the concepts you’ll face on both the knowledge test and the pre-trip/skills exam.

Aim for at least an 80% passing score on each required assessment. As soon as you pass, your completion is automatically reported to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). That is the gate Colorado examiners rely on before they can test you-no separate paperwork chase. You also receive a printable certificate for your records and employer onboarding. Completing this step first streamlines your DMV visit and ensures Colorado’s third-party testers can verify you immediately.

Apply for your Colorado CLP

With ELDT theory complete and on file, you’re ready for the CDL knowledge tests that qualify you for the CLP. For Class A, plan on General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles; add Air Brakes if you intend to operate air-brake equipment without a restriction. If you have endorsements in mind later, you can stage them strategically, but avoid piling on unneeded tests during the first CLP issuance.

Colorado issues CLPs that are valid for one year and not renewable. If you allow a CLP to lapse or change the class or endorsement you seek after issuance, you must retake the relevant knowledge exams. Apply only for the class and any endorsements you truly plan to use. This keeps your timeline tight and reduces the risk of re-testing if plans shift mid-stream.

Hold the CLP for 14 days

Colorado enforces the federal minimum 14-calendar-day holding period. Use these two weeks intentionally. Schedule behind-the-wheel (BTW) practice with a registered provider, focusing on pre-trip fluency, slow-speed control, and lane management on Colorado’s common test routes. The most efficient candidates treat this period as a rehearsal window: every day has a purpose, from memorizing inspection scripts to dialing in mirrors, seat position, and shifting patterns for the exact tractor you’ll test in. If you will test at elevation or on corridors with variable winds (I-25, I-70), build in a session to practice gear selection and space management under those conditions.

Schedule the CDL skills/road test with an approved Colorado third-party tester

Colorado relies on approved third-party testers who record results in the Commercial Skills Test Information Management System (CSTIMS). You cannot take the skills test until your ELDT completion is visible in TPR; most testing companies will verify this before booking. When you call, have your driver license number and CLP details ready, and confirm any site-specific requirements (tractor/trailer configuration, insurance, arrival windows, and cancellation rules).

Expect the test to include three integrated parts:

• Pre-trip inspection: precise, audible identification of components, condition, and defects. Colorado examiners listen for safety-critical language.
• Basic control: slow-speed maneuvers such as straight-line backing, offset, and alley dock. You’ll be judged on boundary control, pull-ups, and GOAL (get out and look) usage.
• On-road driving: route compliance, lane control, speed/spacing, mirror use, gear selection, and hazard scanning. On corridor segments with grades or merging traffic, examiners watch for anticipatory decisions and space cushions.

If a site offers waitlist options, join them-Colorado test calendars can tighten during seasonal peaks. Keep your CLP, medical card, and any site paperwork in a single folder so check-in is frictionless.

Get your Colorado Class A CDL issued

Upon passing, the testing company updates CSTIMS, which is the signal the DMV uses to complete your licensing. Bring payment for applicable state fees and verify that your class, endorsements, and any restrictions are correctly printed. Colorado CDLs are typically valid for four years. Keep your medical card current and calendar your renewal window to protect your interstate eligibility.

Add endorsements when appropriate (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus)

Many drivers add endorsements to boost employability and pay. Colorado requires ELDT for a first-time Hazmat endorsement, in addition to the TSA Security Threat Assessment and a DMV written exam. Plan TSA early-appointment backlogs can delay start dates. Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements also carry ELDT and BTW components; staging these after you settle into your first role often produces better pass rates because you’ll apply real-world context to the material.

Colorado CDL updates and 2025 special note

Colorado announced that, in response to new FMCSA regulations, the state has paused issuance and renewals of term-limited (non-domiciled) CDLs and CLPs effective Monday, September 29, 2025, until further notice. This pause targets a specific credential category and is not a blanket shutdown of CDL activity in Colorado.

Why this matters

Employers who rely on seasonal, agriculture, energy, or out-of-state labor pipelines may see onboarding plans disrupted if those drivers would have qualified only under a non-domiciled or term-limited status. Recruiters should re-screen candidates for domicile documentation ahead of start dates and adjust orientation calendars accordingly.

What Colorado residents should do

If you are a Colorado resident pursuing a standard Class A CDL, your path remains open. The critical safeguard is documentation: ensure your domicile proof meets Colorado standards and that your identity/residency stack is airtight. To compress your timeline even further, complete ELDT theory now so your TPR record is already live the moment you finalize CLP issuance and scheduling. That way, when testing slots appear, nothing on the federal side slows you down.

Colorado intrastate vs interstate, age bands, and exemptions

Age bands and operating scope

Colorado distinguishes between intrastate and interstate operation based on age, mirroring federal practice. Drivers 18–20 may earn a Colorado CDL and operate intrastate only, which is often sufficient for entry-level roles in local delivery, municipal services, or regional yards. At 21+, you can drive interstate, pursue Hazmat (with endorsement and TSA clearance), and qualify for a broader range of jobs along the I-25 and I-70 corridors, including long-haul and specialized freight. Planning your first year around these thresholds helps you avoid bids for roles you cannot legally hold yet and signals professionalism to dispatch and safety managers.

Colorado CDL exemptions you should understand

Not every heavy vehicle use case requires a CDL in Colorado. The state recognizes exemptions for recreational vehicles (RVs), military vehicles driven by service members, firefighting equipment, certain emergency snow plows used during snow removal operations, and farm vehicles when controlled and operated by a farmer within 150 miles of the farm. These carve-outs are operationally useful, but they do not erase federal ELDT and CDL obligations if you later choose to enter paid commercial work. If your long-term goal is a professional driving career-even after a season on farm equipment-it is smarter to complete ELDT theory early and keep your options open.

Medical waivers and Colorado-only operation

Colorado permits some medically disqualified interstate drivers to hold a Colorado-only CDL under state waiver frameworks. This can preserve employability in local roles while maintaining stringent safety oversight. If you believe you may qualify, speak with your medical examiner and prepare documentation before you attempt to schedule; waiver determinations can add time, and aligning your paperwork up front prevents scheduling dead ends. Employers value transparency here-arrive with your medical status clear, your self-certification accurate, and your waiver, if any, properly documented

Where we serve in Colorado (cities & test sites)

Because ELDT theory is delivered fully online and reported directly to the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, you can start from anywhere in Colorado and progress at the same pace as someone who lives next door to a testing site.

Class A Program details, timeline, and pricing

What you get with your purchase

From your first login you get in-depth concept explanations built specifically to match FMCSA expectations on combination vehicles, air brakes, cargo handling, and safety systems-without filler. Access is unlimited until you pass, so you can replay modules or re-take quizzes as many times as needed. Each lesson pairs video modules that show concepts in action with clear text explanations you can skim when you need a fast refresher. Interactive quizzes convert passive watch time into active learning, locking in knowledge and identifying weak spots before they become test-day friction.

What you get when you finish

Completion isn’t just a certificate; it’s a status change in the federal system Colorado uses to green-light your road test. ELDT Nation submits your record to the FMCSA TPR automatically, which is the examiner’s source of truth. With theory complete and visible, you can start behind-the-wheel (BTW) training, schedule your CDL skills test, and print a PDF certificate for your personal and employer files. This is why students see the process move quickly-no separate errands to prove a requirement that the systems already confirm.

Typical Colorado timeline

A focused candidate can compress the path into a single month:

• Day 1–2: complete ELDT online; your pass posts to the TPR automatically.
• Week 1: take CDL knowledge tests, obtain your CLP, and map out your skills-test date.
• Day 14+: after the federal 14-day CLP hold, take the skills/road test with a Colorado examiner.
• Same month: pick up your Class A CDL once the tester posts to CSTIMS and you finalize DMV issuance.

This plan assumes you schedule proactively and maintain practice through the CLP hold. The sequence is deliberately simple: study → permit → practice → test → license.

Pricing and payment

The program is priced with transparent, all-in costs-no add-on fees for quiz attempts, module access, or certificate downloads. The total you see at checkout reflects everything needed to complete theory. For accessibility, we support payment plans and group/company pricing for fleets, schools, and workforce programs that want to onboard multiple candidates in parallel. If you’re running a driver pipeline in a Colorado metro or on the Western Slope, talk to us about bulk enrollments; synchronized starts reduce empty-seat time and align completion dates with your BTW and road-test calendars.

Why ELDT Nation for Colorado truck drivers

FMCSA-approved and valid statewide

ELDT Nation is listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, which is the only status Colorado examiners need to verify your eligibility. Because completion is pushed straight to the TPR, your eligibility is visible statewide, whether you road-test near Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, or anywhere in between.

Built for people who want to get to work fast

Our course is engineered around one principle: no fluff, just content designed to help you pass ASAP. That means tight lessons, practical examples, and assessments that mirror what examiners and employers actually expect. You learn faster because every minute maps to a required outcome.

Backed by real trucking-school DNA

We operate in partnership with Orlando Truck Driving Academy, combining online convenience with brick-and-mortar training culture. This hybrid perspective ensures the theory you learn aligns with the realities of the yard and the road, not just a textbook outline.