Commercial Driver License (CDL)

A commercial driver license (CDL) is a type of driver license an individual can apply for to transport interstate or intrastate commerce.

With the exception of motorcycles and mopeds, individuals who hold a valid CDL may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued, including their personal vehicle.

Any vehicle that requires an endorsement (i.e. school bus, hazardous material, etc.) may not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the CDL.

Individuals are required to have a CDL if they operate a motor vehicle:

1. With a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds,
2. Which transports quantities of hazardous materials that requires warning placards (signs), or
3. Designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.

Any individual whose driver license is currently suspended, cancelled or revoked in Texas or in any other state is not eligible for a CDL.

Notice: If you currently hold a Commercial Driver License Class A or B with a "Q" or "R" restriction

Effective December 11, 2016, the "Q" and "R" restriction codes will no longer be used to obtain a CDL. To comply with federal guidelines, the Department will begin issuing a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) to individuals wishing to obtain a CDL. With the change to a CLP, the "Q" and "R" restrictions will be used for those seeking a Class A or B non-CDL permit, such as recreational and fire trucks.

Your current license with the "Q" and "R" restrictions will remain valid for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle until the expiration date. However, if you hold your license for commercial purposes, it is recommended you visit your local driver license office and apply for a CDL before December 11, 2016. If you obtain a CDL after this date, you will be required to complete the application and tests for a CLP and hold it for 14 days prior to scheduling a CDL skills test. The notice below contains information about the new skills test requirements also effective in October 2016.

Notice: October 2016, Federal Regulations will impact the Texas CDL program as noted below. Reminder, all CDL skills tests will be administered at the 25 designated locations within Texas.

1. Sequence of administered exams: The pre-trip and basic skills test must be completed prior to the execution of a road skills test.
2. Skills tests are now in three phases and applicants must pass the previous phase prior to moving to the next phase.
   1. Pre-trip walk around
   2. Backing skills maneuvers
   3. Road test
3. Pre-trip skills test: The current pre-trip written test will convert to a randomized pre-trip walk around test.
4. Revised scoring criteria: The scoring of the basic maneuvers and road-test will change. Points will be deducted for encroachments and excessive pull-ups during the execution of the basic skills test.
5. Basic skills testing area: The basic skills testing maneuver area must be marked utilizing cones to properly score the basic skills exam.
6. Additional basic skills test maneuver: In addition to the current straight-line backing and parallel parking maneuvers, an off-set backing maneuver is added.
7. Road Test change: Increase in the number of maneuvers performed during the road test.

Notice: December 2016, Federal Regulations will impact the Texas CDL program as noted below. Reminder, all CDL skills tests will be administered at the 25 designated locations within Texas.

1. A Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) will be issued to drivers who are applying to drive a commercial vehicle. A CLP must be held for a minimum of 14 days prior to being allowed to take a CDL skills test. This applies to original applicants, modifications in grade and adding endorsements which require a skills test.

For more information Notice For All CDL Applicants.

CDL Exemptions

Individuals who operate any of the following vehicles are not required to obtain a CDL but must have the correct class of driver license for the vehicle they are operating. Individuals must also certify to the Texas Class A or B Driver License Application - Non-CDL Exempt Vehicles (CDL-2)

1. Military or commercial vehicles when operated for military purposes by military personnel,
2. A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products, machinery or supplies within 150 miles of the individual’s farm,
3. Fire-fighting or emergency vehicles necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter, and
4. Recreational vehicles driven for personal use (although a CDL is not required, individuals may need to obtain a Class A driver license), and
5. A vehicle used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules or cotton burrs.

Interstate versus Intrastate

Individuals may apply for a CDL that allows the transportation of either interstate or intrastate commerce. At the driver license office, individuals must specify if they are applying for interstate or intrastate commerce.

1. Interstate commerce means trade, traffic or transportation:
   1. Within the U.S. between a place in a state and a place outside of such state or outside of the U.S., or
   2. Between two places in a state through another state or outside of the U.S.
2. Intrastate commerce is the:
   1. Transportation of property (a commodity) where the point of origin and destination are within one state and the state line, or
   2. International boundary is not crossed.

The Bill of Lading will be an indicator as to whether a shipment or commodity is interstate or intrastate. If there is not a Bill of Lading then the origin and destination of the shipment will be an indicator.

For information on the requirements needed to apply for an intrastate or interstate CDL please see the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook.

Apply for a CDL

To apply for a Texas CDL, an individual must:

1. Apply in-person at any driver license office and complete the appropriate application.
2. Present documents to verify identity.
1. Different documents are required if an individual is a U.S. citizen or has lawful presence.
2. Individuals may be required to present more than one document to verify identity, and the information on all documents must match each other.
3. Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information such as incomplete names or date of birth.
3. Present documents to verify Texas residency.
4. Present evidence of a Social Security Number (a CDL cannot be issued to individuals who do not have a Social Security Number).
5. Meet the self-certification of medical status Depending on the type of certification, an individual may need to present a medical examiners certificate.
6. Meet the nonresident commercial requirements (in some states this is also referred to as “non-domicile commercial resident”) if they are from a foreign jurisdiction other than Canada or Mexico.
7. Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles registered in the individual’s name.
8. Complete the Supplement Application Texas Commercial Driver License Certifications and Record of CDL Examination. (CDL-1)
9. Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted and provide your signature.
10. Pass the vision test.
11. Pass the knowledge and skills tests for the appropriate driver license including endorsements.
12. Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order or a non-temporary check.
13. 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.
1. Driving tests may be scheduled online
2. Not every driver license office is able to accommodate a CDL road test

Endorsements and Restrictions

For more information on how to apply for an endorsement or to have a restriction code removed, please visit the Driver License Endorsements and Restrictions web page.