Apply for a Texas CDL
To apply for a Texas CDL, an individual must:
- Apply in-person at any driver license office and complete the appropriate
application.
- Qualifications of Interstate Driver Certification (CDL-4)
- Qualifications of Intrastate Driver Certification and Exemption (CDL-5)
- Present documents to verify identity.
- Different documents are required if an individual is a U.S. citizen or
has lawful presence.
- Individuals may be required to present more than one document to verify
identity, and the information on all documents must match each other.
- Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information
such as incomplete names or date of birth.
- Present documents to verify Texas residency.
- Present evidence of a Social Security Number (a Texas CDL cannot be issued
to individuals who do not have a Social Security Number).
- Meet the self-certification of medical status by completing the Self-Certification
Affidavit (CDL-7). Depending on the type of certification, an individual may
need to present a medical examiner certificate.
- Meet the nonresident commercial requirements (in some states this is also
referred to as "nondomicile commercial resident") if he / she is
from a foreign jurisdiction other than Canada or Mexico.
- Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all
vehicles registered in the individual's name.
- Complete the Supplement Application Texas Commercial Driver License Certifications
and Record of Texas CDL Examination.
- Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted and provide your signature.
- Pass the vision test.
- Pass the knowledge and skills tests for the appropriate driver license including
endorsements.
- Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order or a non-temporary
check.
- Provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must
be representative of the type of license in which the individual is applying
for.
- Driving tests may be scheduled online
- Not every driver license office is able to accommodate a Texas CDL road
test
Texas Commercial driver license (CDL) Fees:
- Age 18 to 84: new (Expires in five years) - $61.00
- Age 18 to 84: renewal (Expires five years after previous expiration date)
- $61.00
- Age 85 and older: new - Expires after two years (on your birthday) - $26.00
- Age 85 and older: renewal - Expires two years after previous expiration
dat - $26.00
- Replacement Texas CDL - Current expiration date does not change - $11.00
- Non-resident Texas CDL (For non-U.S. residents): new or renewal - Expires
when period of lawful presence expires, as determined by U.S. Department of
Homeland Security - $121.00
Texas CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
Texas Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE Texas CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
Texas
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which TX CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Texas CDL and Required Tests
| CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination
vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
Texas CDL Endorsements
| Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
| General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
| Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
| HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
| Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the Texas CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Texas CDL and in the free Texas CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
Texas CDL written exams to get your Texas CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The Texas CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
