What you need to do to get a CDL in Texas

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in Texas requires you to pass a written knowledge test, a skills test, and a medical examination — all administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). You cannot skip any of these steps or do them out of order. The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish, though you can compress it if you study intensively and schedule tests back-to-back.

Texas issues CDLs in three classes — Class A (tractor-trailers and doubles), Class B (single large trucks), and Class C (small trucks with air brakes or hazmat cargo) — and you must test for the specific class you need. You also choose which endorsements you want (hazmat, tanker, doubles, passenger) based on what you'll actually drive. Each endorsement requires an additional written test.

The process starts with getting a medical certificate from a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-certified examiner, then taking the written tests at a DPS office, and finally scheduling your behind-the-wheel skills test. You cannot move to the next step until you pass the previous one.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a medical certificate from an FMCSA-certified examiner before taking any written tests, and this certificate is valid for 24 months.
  • Written tests cover general knowledge, air brakes, and any endorsements you want, and you must pass each one before scheduling your skills test.
  • The skills test happens in your own vehicle or a rental truck and includes a pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and a road test with a DPS examiner.
  • Texas charges separate fees for the CDL itself, each written test, and the skills test, totaling roughly $150 to $250 depending on endorsements.
  • You can hold a CDL permit for up to 180 days while you prepare for the skills test, but you cannot drive a commercial vehicle without a licensed CDL holder in the seat next to you.

Getting your medical certificate first

Before you walk into a DPS office, you need proof that you meet federal medical standards. The FMCSA requires a medical examination by a certified medical examiner — your regular doctor does not count, even if they have a medical license. You can find FMCSA-certified examiners through the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners on the FMCSA website, which lets you search by location.

The exam itself covers your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. Bring your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and any medications you take. The examiner will issue a Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5875) on the spot if you pass. This certificate is valid for 24 months and you must carry it with your CDL at all times.

If you fail the medical exam, you can retest with a different examiner or address the medical issue and try again. Some conditions — uncontrolled diabetes, severe hearing loss, or certain heart conditions — may disqualify you permanently, but the examiner will tell you which issues are temporary and which are not.

Taking the written knowledge tests at DPS

Once you have your medical certificate, schedule an appointment at your local Texas DPS office to take the written tests. You can book online through the DPS website or call ahead to find out which offices offer CDL testing and their current wait times. Bring your medical certificate, your current driver's license, and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, tax return, or W-2).

The General Knowledge test covers vehicle inspection, safe driving practices, and commercial vehicle regulations. It has 50 questions and you must score at least 80 percent to pass. If you are testing for Class A or B, you must also pass the Air Brakes test (25 questions, 80 percent passing score). Any endorsement you want — hazmat, tanker, doubles, or passenger — requires its own written test with the same 80 percent threshold.

You can take all your written tests in one visit if you want, or spread them across multiple visits. Many people take the General Knowledge and Air Brakes tests together, then come back later for endorsements. Once you pass all your written tests, DPS will issue you a CDL Permit, which is valid for 180 days. This permit lets you practice driving a commercial vehicle with a licensed CDL holder in the passenger seat, but you cannot drive alone.

Preparing for and scheduling your skills test

Your skills test happens behind the wheel in a real commercial vehicle. You can use your own truck, rent one from a truck rental company, or attend a CDL training school that provides vehicles for testing. The test takes about 45 minutes and has three parts: a pre-trip inspection (where you walk around the vehicle and point out safety items), basic vehicle control (backing, turning, and parking in a lot), and a road test with a DPS examiner riding along.

Schedule your skills test through the DPS office where you took your written tests. Wait times vary by region — rural areas may have openings within two weeks, while major cities like Houston or Dallas can have waits of six to twelve weeks. Book as soon as you pass your written tests so you get an earlier slot. You must take your skills test before your CDL Permit expires (180 days from issue date), or you will have to retake the written tests.

Bring your CDL Permit, your medical certificate, your current driver's license, and proof of vehicle insurance for whatever vehicle you are using. The examiner will fail you on the spot if the vehicle does not have valid insurance or fails a basic safety inspection. Practice the pre-trip inspection and backing maneuvers beforehand — these are the parts most people struggle with.

What happens after you pass the skills test

Once you pass, the DPS examiner will give you a temporary CDL document on the spot, valid for 45 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed. Your permanent CDL arrives by mail within two to three weeks. Check it when ready for errors in your name, address, or endorsements — if something is wrong, return to the DPS office with your temporary CDL and they will reissue it.

Your CDL is valid for five years in Texas (or until your medical certificate expires, whichever comes first). You must renew your medical certificate every 24 months or your CDL becomes invalid, even if the license itself has not expired. Many drivers miss this important date and lose their ability to drive commercially until they get a new medical certificate.

If you fail the skills test, you can retake it, but you must pay the test fee again. You have 180 days from the date you received your CDL Permit to pass the skills test. If that window closes, you must retake all the written tests before you can schedule another skills test.

Costs and timeline for getting your CDL

Texas charges a $20 fee for the CDL license itself, $10 for each written test (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and each endorsement), and $130 for the skills test. If you want hazmat, tanker, doubles, and passenger endorsements, that is four additional written tests at $10 each. A medical exam through an FMCSA-certified examiner typically costs $75 to $150 depending on the provider. Add truck rental ($50 to $150 for a day) if you do not own a commercial vehicle, and your total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $200 to $400.

The timeline depends on how fast you can schedule tests and how quickly you pass them. If you study hard and book everything when ready, you can complete the process in four to six weeks: one week for the medical exam and written tests, then four to six weeks waiting for a skills test appointment. If you are in a rural area with shorter wait times or if you attend a CDL training school (which often has faster testing access), you might finish in three to four weeks. In a major city with long backlogs, expect eight to twelve weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my CDL without attending a truck driving school?

Yes. You do not need to attend a school — you can study on your own, take the written tests at DPS, and rent a truck for your skills test. However, many people find that a school's structured training and access to test vehicles saves time and money, especially if you have never driven a large truck before. Schools typically cost $3,000 to $7,000 but compress the timeline and provide instructors who know exactly what the DPS examiners are looking for.

What if I fail one of the written tests?

You can retake any written test you fail, but you must pay the $10 fee again and wait for your next appointment slot. There is no limit on how many times you can retake a written test. However, if you fail the skills test, you must retake it before your CDL Permit expires (180 days), or you will have to retake all the written tests again.

Do I need to renew my medical certificate while I have a CDL?

Yes. Your medical certificate is valid for 24 months, and your CDL becomes invalid if your medical certificate expires. You must get a new medical exam from an FMCSA-certified examiner and submit the new certificate to DPS before your current one expires. Many states allow you to renew your CDL and medical certificate at the same time, but check with your local DPS office for Texas-specific procedures.

Can I add endorsements after I get my CDL?

Yes. You can add endorsements to an existing CDL by taking the written test for that endorsement at DPS and paying the $10 fee. You do not need to retake the skills test. However, some endorsements like hazmat require a background check and fingerprinting through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which adds time and cost.

What if I move out of Texas after getting my CDL?

Your Texas CDL is valid in all 50 states and Canada. You do not need to transfer it or get a new one unless you become a resident of another state. If you move to another state and establish residency there, you will eventually need to get that state's CDL, but you can keep using your Texas license until it expires.