Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) went into effect beginning February 7, 2022.

ELDT is federally mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), not by DPS. All states are required to comply with ELDT.

ELDT applies to the following:

• Persons wishing to obtain a CDL with P & S endorsements for the first time.
• Person's that previously had a CDL but let it go back to a regular DL and now wants a CDL again.
• Persons that currently hold a CDL but wishes to add P and/or S endorsements.

Districts must visit the following FMCSA’s website for all information regarding becoming a training provider of ELDT or to find a training provider in their area:  https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

• The maximum capacity for the Face to Face classes (Cert & Re-cert) is 35
• All Bus driver cards need to match their CDL cards (First and Last name). For example if your name is William but in our system at Region 3 you put Bill then your cards will not match. Starting today we will have to make sure all cards for Cert and Re-Cert classes match your CDL. If they do not currently match you are fine but the next time you take a class then we will have to change it in our system.
• Make sure you are running all driving records through DPS and not 3^rd party.

•  Scheduling an appointment

  It’s important to remember DPS launched its new appointment solution when DL offices reopened in May, and all services are now conducted by appointment only. DPS moved to this new appointment system to provide additional convenience, reducing the time Texans spend waiting in line. Customers can now book appointments for a specific day and time, up to six months in advance, and show up 30 minutes or less before their scheduled appointment. Customers can check-in using the kiosk inside the office or from their mobile device.

  To schedule an appointment or check availability, visit the online appointment scheduler.

  A limited number of same day appointments will also be available at each DL office. These appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers who book these appointments can then leave the DL office until their designated appointment time. Additionally, in most offices, customers without an appointment may be offered the opportunity to be placed on a “standby” list. These customers are required to wait in the office and are assisted in the event of a cancelation or a no-show. The number of standby appointments is limited to ensure all customers who are placed on the list will be served by the end of the day.

• DL offices have implemented several COVID-19 protocols to ensure a safe environment. Read about them here. The Texas Department of Public Safety has given their website a much needed face lift. Any pages that were previously book marked may no longer be working. Below are a few of the new direct links that pertain to school bus transportation.

   Texas DPS Main page

   School Bus Transportation page

   CDL & DL page

   CDL & DL Appointments