Class B to Class A CDL Upgrade — ELDT Theory Course
The Class B to Class A Upgrade — ELDT Theory Course is the federally-approved theory program required by 49 CFR Part 380 Appendix A for any current Class B CDL holder who wants to step up to a Class A. It covers the 22 theory lessons FMCSA still requires of upgrading drivers — taught in plain English by a working trucking instructor — and skips the 8 non-driving units you already completed when you earned your Class B.
This course is built for drivers who are already on the road in a straight truck and ready to move into combination vehicles — dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker, or specialized hauling. Whether you're chasing better-paying freight, expanding what your current employer can put you on, or making the jump into over-the-road, the Upgrade pathway is the most efficient way the FMCSA allows you to get there.
It's also a strong fit for Class B drivers preparing for their state DMV Class A permit knowledge exam — every chapter explains the why behind the rule, with the specific combination-vehicle context that the standard Class B course never covered.
What You Will Be Able to Do
Upon completing the Class B to Class A Upgrade course, you will be able to perform a complete pre-trip inspection on a combination vehicle, couple and uncouple a tractor-trailer safely, identify and respond to vehicle system faults specific to combination units, manage the increased space and stopping distance of a coupled rig, navigate hazard perception and emergency maneuvers (including jackknife avoidance and recovery), and apply the hours-of-service and fatigue-management knowledge required for longer-distance combination-vehicle work.
The curriculum covers four of the five federally-mandated theory areas — Basic Operation, Safe Operating Procedures, Advanced Operating Practices, and Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions — plus the two Non-Driving units (Hours of Service and Fatigue & Wellness Awareness) that FMCSA still requires of upgrading drivers. The 8 non-driving units you already completed for your Class B (Cargo Handling, Environmental Compliance, Post-Crash Procedures, External Communications, Whistleblower Protections, Trip Planning, Drugs and Alcohol, and Medical Requirements) are not repeated here — exactly as authorized by 49 CFR Part 380 Appendix A.
What's Included
- All 22 FMCSA-required Upgrade theory lessons, organized into focused chapters
- End-of-chapter assessments — 80% passing score required (federal standard)
- Full Class B-to-A Upgrade Workbook included as a downloadable PDF (practice questions, DMV-style practice tests, master answer key with regulatory citations, complete index)
- Direct submission of your Theory completion record to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry on the same day you finish
- Lifetime access to course updates as federal regulations change
- Mobile-friendly — study on any device, save your progress, return anytime
Prerequisites
You must currently hold a valid Class B CDL. You'll need a computer, tablet, or phone with a reliable internet connection, and the commitment to work through all 22 lessons in sequence. Most upgrading drivers complete the course in under a day — you already know the foundation, this course builds on it.
This course covers the Theory portion of the Class B to Class A Upgrade only. Federal law also requires Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) training in a Class A vehicle (combination unit), which must be completed in person with a registered training provider on the FMCSA TPR list before you take your Class A skills test. There are no BTW waivers for the upgrade — even experienced Class B drivers must complete the full Class A BTW Range and Public Road curriculum.
