Entry Level Driver Training

Are you in need of Entry Level Driver Training?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all new CDL- and HME-applicants to successfully complete theory and behind-the-wheel training before they can take a state’s CDL or HME exams. The requirement is called Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT).

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)’s Administrative Compliance Experts, also known as ACE, is designed to assist companies in navigating ELDT’s red tape and NPGA has made this training available to MHEDA member companies.

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NPGA’s ACE Services provides the ELDT training for CDL Class A/B and HME and is registered with FMSCA as a training provider. They offer two different packages and you do not need to be a member of NPGA to enroll:

  1. Basic Services provide access to NPGA generated forms and the NPGA ACE Services team for questions. With basic, your company would have to register as a training provider.
  2. Deluxe Services provide access to NPGA generated forms, checklists, NPGA ACE Services team review for accuracy and completion, and NPGA serves as the Registered Training Provider. Only under the Deluxe Services, does NPGA submit completion information to FMCSA and maintain driver-applicant records for ELDT compliance.

If you use NPGA ACE Services, you don’t use NPGA staff for the Behind The Wheel (BTW) portion, you still use your own. NPGA provides their know-how (regulations) with your know-how (CMV operation). Any individual employee who holds a CDL at- or above-that which they are instructing for at least the last two years and meets the CMV instructor requirements in your state, can serve as the BTW instructor. With NPGA ACE, they will have the BTW instructor complete forms for their record-keeping. NPGA ACE can also provide the requirements for the state where you’re operating.

The CDL Class A/B theory training has about 32 modules and the HME course has 9 modules, each is about 7-30 minutes long. The time it will take to complete will depend on the driver-applicant’s knowledge and commitment to program. There is also an assessment at the end of the course (80% passing score).

ACE is a fee-based administrative service provided by NPGA and separate from the ELDT training program. A company is not required to use ACE services; you may elect to access only the training materials. For more details, review the ELDT FAQ and Fee Structure documents.

For more information on the program and the costs for the packages offered, please visit the NPGA ACE website.

PERC, the Propane Education Research Council, is a division of NPGA and MHEDA is grateful for their on-going support.