Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerTexas CDL Prep
Texas CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Texas commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Texas CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Texas
In Texas, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Texas age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Texas CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Texas Department of Public Safety and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Texas. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Texas Department of Public Safety issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Texas Department of Public Safety testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerTexas CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Texas CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Texas.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Texas?
Yes if you are getting a CDL for the first time, upgrading your class, or adding a passenger or school bus endorsement — finish ELDT before the skills test. First-time hazmat applicants also need hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. Eligible service members may use form CDL-3A for a military skills-test waiver; knowledge tests still cannot be waived.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Texas?
Yes when your self-certification category requires it. Certify on CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10, and keep a current Medical Examiner's Certificate on file if required. Since June 23, 2025, examiners submit results electronically through the National Registry to DPS — check status through License Eligibility. Letting medical certification expire can downgrade your CLP or CDL; in some cases you may upgrade back within 12 months without retesting if other eligibility rules are met.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Texas?
Hold a Texas driver license first. Bring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, identity, Social Security number, self-certification (CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10), and a Medical Examiner's Certificate if your category requires it. New residents surrendering an out-of-state license also need current Texas vehicle registration and insurance for each vehicle they own (or a signed statement if they own none). Complete the CDL application before your appointment.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Texas?
Yes. Complete a TSA security threat assessment (fingerprints and background check) and get clearance before Texas can issue an H endorsement. First-time applicants also need hazmat ELDT. Non-domicile CDLs, certain intrastate-only certifications (CDL-5 Section A), and Texas limb-waiver holders are not eligible for hazmat. First-time applicants wait for TSA clearance; renewing HME holders may get a 90-day temporary endorsement.
How much do Texas CDL permits and licenses cost?
An original or renewal CLP is $25 and is valid for 180 days. A standard CDL for ages 18–84 is $97 for eight years; with a hazardous materials endorsement it is $61 for five years. Replacement CDL/CLP cards are $11. Non-domicile CDLs are $121 for new or renewal.
Are Texas CDL knowledge tests still offered in Spanish?
No. Effective June 1, 2026, DPS administers all CDL knowledge examinations in English only. Skills tests (pre-trip, basic control, and road) continue to be conducted in English. Applicants who cannot demonstrate sufficient English proficiency are not eligible for a Texas CLP or CDL.
Does Texas issue non-domicile CDLs?
Yes, but eligibility is limited. As of June 1, 2026, Texas resumed non-domicile CLP/CDL issuance only for individuals with H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Worker) status under updated federal rules. Other temporary lawful-presence categories are generally ineligible.
Can military members waive the Texas CDL skills test?
Possibly. Service members licensed and employed within the last 12 months in a military position requiring operation of a CMV-equivalent vehicle may apply with form CDL-3A. Knowledge tests cannot be waived, and School Bus (S) or Passenger (P) endorsements cannot transfer under the waiver.
Does PrepCDL cover Texas?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Texas CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.