What Is a Class A Driver Training School?
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for the licensing and the oversight of Class A driver training schools. Our objective is to ensure that driver training schools provide high quality education in a safe and secure learning environment.
A Class A driver training school may teach people who are at least 18 years of age classroom and/or in-vehicle CDL training. DMV must conduct the final road skills test, unless the driver training school is certified as a third-party tester. For more information on the certification process, refer to Class A Driver Training School Third-Party Tester Program.
Who are Commercial Drivers?
Commercial drivers are all individuals, whether paid or volunteer, who operate commercial motor vehicles. Volunteer drivers of church buses, private or public school buses and mechanics who test drive commercial vehicles must meet commercial driver's license requirements.
Commercial driver's license requirements do not apply to:
- Operators of emergency vehicles, such as firefighters
- Active duty military personnel operating military vehicles
- Operators of vehicles, such as recreational vehicles and rental moving vans, used only for personal use
- Operators of covered farm vehicles as defined in § 46.2-649.3 of the Virginia Code
- Operators of farm vehicles if:
- The vehicle is used by farmers to move farm goods, supplies or machinery to or from their farm
- The vehicle is used within 150 miles of the farm, and
- The vehicle is not used as a common or contract motor carrier.
Types of Commercial Vehicles
The class of a commercial vehicle is determined by the gross vehicle weight rating and the manufacturer's design.
The Application Process
For information on opening a Class A driver training school or becoming certified as a Class A driving school instructor, refer to the Class A Application Process.
All driver training schools must have at least one instructor.
IMPORTANT
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires minimum training requirements be met for individuals applying to:
- Obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver's license for the first time
- Upgrade of an existing Class B to a Class A commercial driver's license
- Obtain a hazardous material endorsement (HME), a passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time
Applicants for a class A or B CDL or a P or S endorsement must complete both theory and behind-the-wheel training before completing the applicable CDL road skills exam.
Applicants for an HME must complete the theory portion of ELDT before taking the Hazmat knowledge exam at DMV.
Any entity that wishes to provide this training must comply with the requirements in 49 C.F.R. 380.719 and apply to appear on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. For entities interested in providing ELDT, information on the requirements and application process can be found at the ELDT page.
Pre-Licensing On-Site Audit
After the prospective driver training school provides evidence that all requirements have been met, DMV conducts an on-site pre-licensing audit to ensure that the facilities and vehicles meet the required standards.
Licensing Process Timeframe
While every case is different, the process generally takes approximately 30 days.
Contact Information
For additional information, contact the Driver Training Work Center at (804) 367-7050 or via e-mail at dmvclu@dmv.virginia.gov.