General Requirements

How do I apply for a Commercial Driver License?

What is a commercial driver license (CDL)?
Operating large commercial motor vehicles requires specialized skills and training that must be learned. A CDL is a professional license permitting the holder of the license to drive those large commercial vehicles and buses on public roadways in Texas and in the United States. This license demonstrates that you have been trained, tested, and are qualified to safely operate large commercial motor vehicles.

What types of CDLs are there?
To obtain a CDL, it will be necessary for you to determine which class you will need. There are three basic classes of CDLs:

Class A – Permits the holder to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle or vehicles towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Class B – Permits the holder to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, anyone one of those vehicles towing a vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR, and any vehicle designed to transport 24 passengers or more, including the driver. If the skills test is taken in a bus with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, the holder will be restricted to operating busses under 26,001 pounds GVWR.
Class C – Permits the holder to operate any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a Class A or B if the vehicle is designed to transport 16 to 23 passengers including the driver, or used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded under 49 CFR, Part 172, Subpart F.

What are Endorsements?
Depending upon what you will be transporting, you may need one or more of the following six endorsements. An endorsement allows you to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles and transport specific items. There is additional testing required to obtain an endorsement and in some cases, if you already have a CDL you will be required to hold a commercial learner permit for that endorsement for at least 14 days before being able to add it to your CDL.

Double/Triple Trailer (T endorsement) - This endorsement allows you to tow a double or triple trailer.
Passenger (P endorsement) – This endorsement allows you to operate a vehicle that carries a specific number of passengers.
Tank Vehicle (N endorsement) – This endorsement allows you to operate a tank vehicle. These vehicles are designed to safely transport liquid or liquefied gaseous materials.
Hazardous Materials (H) – This endorsement allows you to transport hazardous materials, such as flammable or combustible liquids, gases or explosives. You will be required to complete a comprehensive state and federal background check. For additional information visit our Hazardous Materials Endorsement webpage.
School Bus (S) – This endorsement allows you to operate a school bus.
Combination of N and H (X) – This combination endorsement allows you to transport hazardous materials in a tank vehicle.

Endorsement	Require a knowledge test?	Require a driving test?	Must be issued a CLP?
Double/Triple Trailer (T)	Yes	No	No
Passenger (P)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tank Vehicle (N)	Yes	No	No
Hazardous Materials (H)	Yes	No	No
School Bus (S)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Combination (X)	Yes	No	No

With the exception of motorcycles, if you hold a valid CDL you may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued, including your personal vehicle, so long as all applicable restrictions and endorsements are adhered to.

What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate?
When applying for a CDL it will be necessary for you to understand what type of commerce you will be operating in so that the correct type of license can be issued to you. You may apply for a CDL that allows for the transportation of either interstate and/or intrastate commerce. If you apply for an interstate commerce CDL, it will allow you to operate in both interstate and intrastate commerce, unless you apply for an interstate CDL specifically to operate within a certain capacity.

The definition of interstate and intrastate commerce are provided below to assist you in determining what type of commerce you will be operating in and the appropriate form you will need to certify to when applying for your CDL. You may only certify to one form and one section.

Interstate Commerce
Is trade, traffic or transportation:

Within the U.S. between a place in a state and a place outside of such state or outside of the U.S., or
Between two places in a state through another state or outside the U.S.

To be able to operate in Interstate Commerce, you must be able to certify that you meet the requirements provided on either the Interstate Driver Certification form (CDL-4), or the Certification of Physical Exemption form (CDL-10).

Intrastate Commerce
Is the transportation of property (a commodity) where:

The point of origin and destination are within one state and the state line, or
An international boundary is not crossed

To be able to operate in Intrastate Commerce, you must be able to certify that you meet the requirements in only one of the Sections on the Intrastate Driver Certification form (CDL-5).

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.

Medical Certification Requirements
Once you have determined which form you will be certifying to, review the instructions on the form very carefully to determine if you need to provide and maintain a current medical examiner's certificate with the Department. For more information, visit our webpage on Commercial Driver License Medical Certification Requirement.

Will I need to apply for a Commercial Driver License Permit (CLP) before getting my CDL?
If you are applying for a CDL for the first time, upgrading your existing CDL (Class C to Class B or Class A, or Class B to Class A) or adding a passenger, school bus, or tank endorsement, you will be required to obtain and hold a permit for at least 14 days. The purpose of this is to allow you an opportunity to obtain behind-the-wheel experience before taking your driving test. The following requirements apply for a CLP:

You must hold a valid Texas Driver License
A CLP is not valid without your base Texas driver license and cannot be used for identification
A CLP authorizes you to practice on public roads in a CMV with a qualified CDL license operator, 21 years of age or older who holds the same class of CDL for the vehicle you are driving, sitting next to you
You must hold the CLP for 14 days before taking skills exams
A CLP is valid for 180 days or when your Texas driver license expires, whichever is earliest
A CLP can be renewed one time, up to 30 days prior to expiration, without needing to retake the knowledge exams

Applying for a Commercial Learner Permit
The first step is to have a Texas driver license. If you do not have a Texas driver license, visit our page on How to apply for a Texas Driver License. Once you have your Texas driver license, the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver's Handbook or Spanish Version, and several instructional videos are available online to help you in obtaining your CLP. You will need to provide proof of the following to apply for a commercial learner permit:

U.S. Citizenship or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence
Texas Residency
Identity, and
Social Security Number (a CLP or a CDL cannot be issued if you do not have a Social Security Number)
Self-Certification Of Medical Status (you must certify to only one of the following forms: CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10)
Medical Examiners Certificate (depending upon the type of self-certification of medical status you selected
Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration* for each vehicle you own. Registration must be current. Visit Texas DMV vehicle registration for more information. (New Residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
Proof of Insurance* for each vehicle you own

Once you have gathered the necessary documents and completed the required courses, you will need to do the following:

Complete the CDL application before arriving at your local office. (This form is also available at all driver license offices)
Visit your local driver license office. You may be able to get in-line before arriving. Locate the office nearest you.
Provide the following documentation to the license and permit specialist:
1. CDL application for the issuance of CLP.
2. U.S. Citizenship or, if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence
3. Texas Residency
4. Identity, and
5. Social Security Number
Pay the application fee.
Provide your thumbprints.
Have your picture taken.
Pass Vision Exam.
Pass the knowledge tests for the appropriate driver license including any endorsements you will be adding. The knowledge exam must be taken in the following order:
1. Texas Commercial Rules
2. General Knowledge
3. Combination (Class A Only)
4. Air Brake (If applicable)
5. Endorsements
Schedule your skills test at one of the CDL testing locations.
Read about driving test requirements.

Applying for a Commercial Driver License
Once you have held your CLP for a minimum of 14 days, you are eligible to complete the necessary driving tests to obtain your CDL. You will need to provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must be representative of the type of CLP you hold.

Complete the CDL application before arriving at your local office. (This form is also available at all driver license offices)
Provide the following documentation to the license and permit specialist:
1. Application for the issuance of a CDL.
2. Identity, and
3. Social Security Number
Pay the application fee.
Provide your thumbprints.
Have your picture taken.
Pass Vision Exam.
Pass the driving test which consists of:
1. Vehicle Inspection (Pre-trip) Test
2. Basic Vehicle Control Test
3. Road Test
Read about driving test requirements.

CDL Waivers, Exceptions and Exemptions

Texas Vision and Limb Waiver
If you do not meet the physical requirements necessary to obtain a CDL, you may be eligible to apply for a Texas Intrastate Vision Waiver or a Texas Intrastate Limb Waiver. If the waiver is approved, you will be restricted to intrastate driving. You must certify the Texas Commercial Driver Application Intrastate Driver Certification - Section B and provide a valid DOT medical examiners certificate (CDL-5).

A Texas Intrastate Vision Waiver Application (PDF) or Texas Intrastate Limb Waiver Application (PDF) is available at any

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