Texas CDL Endorsements
Endorsements are add-ons to your Texas CDL that authorize specific vehicle types or cargo. Each requires a separate knowledge test, taken through Texas Department of Public Safety, and the endorsement codes are federal, so a Texas endorsement is recognized in every state. With oil and gas field services, cross-border trade and freight, agriculture and cattle shaping Texas freight, the examples under each endorsement show where that endorsement pays off locally.
Not all endorsements apply to every CDL class. Use the CDL Selector to find what you need.
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required to transport any quantity of hazardous materials that require placarding under federal HazMat regulations.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Hazardous Materials test, study shipping papers, placard and label selection, safe loading and segregation, emergency response procedures, and security-awareness requirements under federal law.
Hazardous Materials in Texas (TX)
- Oil and gas field services: fuel, propane, and oilfield chemical deliveries that require placards (X endorsement with Tank)
- Cross-border trade and freight: placarded cross-border freight with the extra paperwork it requires
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: cleaning agents, batteries, and other placarded retail freight
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required for vehicles designed to transport liquids or gases in a tank permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle, with individual tank capacity of more than 119 gallons.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Tank Vehicles test, study liquid surge and baffled tanks, outage allowances, inspections, high-center-of-gravity handling, and rollover prevention strategies.
Tank Vehicles in Texas (TX)
- Oil and gas field services: crude, condensate, and fuel tankers serving the oil and gas fields
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: beverage, dairy, and food-grade liquid tankers
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required for commercial vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver: charter buses, transit coaches, and similar vehicles.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Passenger test, study passenger safety protocols, controlled loading and unloading, emergency door operation, on-road passenger management, and distracted-driving rules.
Passenger in Texas (TX)
- Transit agencies, charter companies, and church or community buses across Texas
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required for any driver transporting school-age students in a vehicle classified as a school bus under federal or state law.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) School Bus test, study student loading zones, stop-signal arm procedures, railroad crossing rules, mirror adjustment, emergency evacuation drills, and state-specific school bus regulations.
School Bus in Texas (TX)
- Texas school districts and their contractors: every route driver needs S plus P
- Activity and athletics trips, which use the same S-endorsed drivers
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required to pull double or triple trailers where permitted by state law. Common in regional and long-haul freight operations.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Doubles & Triples test, study coupling and uncoupling double and triple combinations, pull-out stability, off-tracking behavior, full combination inspections, and safe following distance.
Doubles & Triples in Texas (TX)
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: twin 28-foot LTL trailer sets on the interstates
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), required for any vehicle equipped with an air brake system, which covers most Class A tractor-trailers and many Class B straight trucks.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Air Brakes test, study air brake components, dual-circuit systems, inspection procedures, warning devices, pressure gauges, and stopping distance at highway speeds.
Air Brakes in Texas (TX)
- Oil and gas field services: nearly every oilfield truck runs air brakes
- Agriculture and cattle: livestock and reefer tractors on air brakes
- Almost every Class A and Class B vehicle in Texas; skip this test and your CDL carries an L restriction
When It's Required in Texas
In Texas (TX), essential for Class A drivers operating tractor-trailers, lowboys, and other multi-unit combinations over federal weight thresholds.
What to Study for the TX Test
For the Texas (TX) Combination Vehicles test, study coupling and uncoupling procedures, air line connections, trailer handling characteristics, off-tracking, and full combination vehicle inspections.
Combination Vehicles in Texas (TX)
- Oil and gas field services: tractor-trailer rigs hauling pipe, rig equipment, and frac sand
- Cross-border trade and freight: international tractor-trailer lanes
- Agriculture and cattle: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: regional and over-the-road tractor-trailer distribution runs
Not sure which Texas CDL endorsements you need?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the Texas CDL Selector Tool pinpoints the endorsements you need in Texas.