Finishing CDL training is a major milestone, but a few required steps still stand between graduation and driving for a carrier. What’s left is testing, licensing, and getting to work. Below is the order Indiana CDL students should follow from that point forward.
Step 1: Confirm ELDT Training Was Reported
Federal rules require first-time Class A and Class B CDL applicants, along with anyone getting a school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsement for the first time, to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through a school listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. A registered school reports finished training directly to the registry, and Indiana’s third-party CDL skills test sites check that record before they will schedule a test.
Step 2: Schedule and Pass the CDL Skills Test
A commercial learner’s permit (CLP) has to be held for at least 14 days before the skills test can be taken, and the test itself must be booked with a BMV-authorized third-party test site at least two days ahead of the appointment. The skills test has three parts, and all three have to be passed: a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic control skills test, and a road test in a vehicle that matches the CDL class being sought. Test sites submit results to the BMV electronically once testing is complete.
Step 3: Pay the Indiana BMV Fees
Indiana’s CDL-related state fees are lower than in many states. The BMV charges $17 for a commercial learner’s permit, $35 for the CDL itself, and $19 to add or remove an endorsement. Third-party test sites set their own skills test fees separately, so it’s worth asking the specific test site for its current rate before scheduling.
Step 4: Receive the CDL
Once the skills test is passed and the results are submitted, the BMV issues the CDL. Some third-party sites can provide a temporary paper credential the same day, while the permanent card typically follows by mail. An Indiana CDL is valid for four years and can be renewed at any BMV branch up to a year before it expires.
Step 5: Line Up a Carrier
Most new CDL holders already have a carrier lined up before this point, since many carriers hire students before graduation.
Step 6: Complete Carrier Orientation
Almost every carrier runs its own orientation and training program before a new driver hits the road solo. Length and content vary by company, but this stage usually covers company policies, equipment specifics, and supervised driving with an experienced trainer. This training is a condition of employment, not optional paperwork, and it has to be finished before independent driving starts.
Ready to Start the Process?
Every one of these steps depends on finishing quality training first. Anyone with questions about ELDT status, testing timelines, or job placement can contact DriveCo for help sorting out next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indiana require ELDT before the CDL skills test?
Yes. First-time Class A and Class B applicants, along with anyone seeking a school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsement for the first time, must complete ELDT before a skills test can be scheduled.
How soon after training can the CDL skills test be scheduled?
A learner’s permit must be held for at least 14 days before testing, and the test appointment itself must be booked at least two days in advance with an approved test site.
Can the CDL skills test be taken at the training school?
No. The skills test must be administered at a BMV-authorized third-party test site, which is separate from the training school itself.
Is the CDL issued the same day as the skills test?
Not always. Test sites submit results to the BMV electronically, and while some sites offer a temporary credential right away, the permanent card usually arrives afterward.
Do carriers still require training after the CDL is issued?
Yes. Most carriers run their own orientation and supervised driving program before a new hire is allowed to drive solo, regardless of prior CDL school training.
How long is an Indiana CDL valid before it needs to be renewed?
Four years. It can be renewed at any BMV branch up to one year before the expiration date.