California districts, transit agencies and bus contractors

ELDT for California bus drivers. ELDT online, the CHP certificate stays with your SCI.

California school bus drivers carry two credentials: the federal ELDT record and the state Special Driver Certificate issued through the CHP School Bus Program. ELDT365 handles the first for $20 per course. Your state-certified instructor keeps the second.

The California picture: new school bus drivers need federal ELDT theory and BTW for Class B, Passenger and School Bus before the DMV skills test, and separately a California school bus driver certificate that requires at least 40 hours of training (20 classroom, 20 behind the wheel) under the CDE curriculum, a CHP written test, and first aid. The classroom hours must be given by or in the presence of a state-certified instructor (SCI), so online ELDT theory does not count toward them. CHP checks the ELDT record in the DMV system before the drive test, and tells applicants to confirm their record is in the Training Provider Registry first.

What California requires on top of ELDT

CHP School Bus Program and the Special Driver Certificate

The DMV issues the school bus Special Driver Certificate on CHP's recommendation. Applicants take a CHP-administered written test and a behind-the-wheel test in a school bus, and CHP verifies the federal ELDT record in the DMV system before the drive test.

40 hours minimum under the CDE curriculum (Form T-01)

At least 20 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training, documented on the T-01 training record. Classroom must be delivered by, or in the presence of, a state-certified instructor.

Renewal: 10 hours per year of certificate validity

Certificate holders complete in-service training each year, with classroom hours in the final year before renewal. Your SCI schedules and records it.

First aid and the CHP test

A current first aid certificate (or a CHP first aid exam) is required for the original certificate, along with the CHP written test on the California school bus program.

Who delivers it

District and county office SCIs and delegated behind-the-wheel trainers. Many districts run their own program; smaller ones share a county office program.

Where ELDT365 fits

Federal theory for B, P and S, done before or alongside your 40 hours, filed to the registry the same day so CHP sees it when your driver goes for the drive test.

A new California bus driver, start to route

1
Hire and start the CHP paperwork
Fingerprints, the school bus physical, and the CHP application through your SCI. Most districts also get the CLP with P and S knowledge tests done in this window.
2
ELDT theory online, $20 per course
Class B, Passenger and School Bus on ELDT365 while the paperwork moves. Filed to the FMCSA registry the same day the driver passes, so the record exists before anything else is scheduled.
3
20 classroom hours with your SCI
CDE curriculum, in the presence of a state-certified instructor. This is the T-01 classroom block; ELDT does not count toward it.
4
20 behind-the-wheel hours in a school bus
With your SCI or delegated trainer. These hours double as the federal ELDT BTW record if your district is listed on the registry, which most California districts are.
5
CHP written test and drive test
CHP checks the ELDT record in the DMV system before the drive test. Then the DMV issues the Special Driver Certificate and the driver is route-ready.

Cost for a California cohort

Class B, Passenger and School Bus are $20 each per driver. A driver who needs all three is $60; a Class B holder adding the two endorsements is $40. California fleets can put a card on file and be billed as they enroll, or prepay seats on a PO with a W-9 and a quote. No minimum and no contract. The federal explainer, pricing comparison and who-this-is-for detail are on the bus driver overview.

Questions schools ask

Is ELDT still required for California school bus drivers if they finish the 40-hour CHP school bus certificate program?

The 40-hour CHP school bus certificate program satisfies California. It does not satisfy FMCSA. A driver getting a Class B, Passenger or School Bus endorsement for the first time since February 7, 2022 also needs a federal ELDT record from a provider on the Training Provider Registry before the CA skills test. The two records live in two different systems: the state training with the CHP School Bus Program, the ELDT with FMCSA.

Who teaches the California part?

State-certified instructors (SCIs) at your district or county office of education, plus delegated behind-the-wheel trainers. CHP certifies the instructors and runs the tests.

How often do California drivers repeat it?

10 hours of in-service training for each year of certificate validity, with classroom in the final year, tracked by your SCI. Separately, no ELDT refresher exists; ELDT is a one-time federal requirement.

CHP wants to see the ELDT record before the drive test. How fast is it there?

We file the moment the driver passes and has their license number, state and DOB on the record. The federal deadline is two business days; ours is the same day. CHP checks the DMV system, which pulls from the registry, so have the driver finish theory at least a couple of days before the CHP appointment.

Can our SCI count ELDT365 theory toward the 20 classroom hours?

No. California requires the classroom hours to be delivered by or in the presence of a state-certified instructor. ELDT theory is a separate federal record.

What stays with our CA program and what moves to ELDT365?

Moves to us: the federal theory for Class B, Passenger and School Bus, and the FMCSA filing. Stays with you: the 40-hour CHP school bus certificate program, behind-the-wheel, the physical, drug testing and background checks. Nothing about your California certificate changes.

Get your California drivers filed this week

Free school account, $20 per course per driver, filed to the FMCSA registry the same day. The 40-hour CHP school bus certificate program stays exactly where it is.

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