Texas CDL Classes Explained
Which Texas CDL class you need depends on vehicle weight, what it tows, and the type of operation, not just the truck size. The three classes are set by federal rule (49 CFR 383.91) and are the same in every state, so a Texas CDL is valid nationwide. Texas Department of Public Safety issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Texas leads the nation in CDL demand, with extensive energy sector hauling and the busiest US-Mexico border crossings.
A Class A CDL is generally used for combination vehicles, including tractor-trailers, when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Combination Vehicles
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Tractor-trailer driver
- Regional freight driver
- Heavy combination vehicle operator
- Class A delivery driver
Class A CDL in Texas
Class A is the license behind most of Texas's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-10, I-20, I-35, I-45. With oil and gas field services, cross-border trade and freight, agriculture and cattle driving demand, typical Texas Class A work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: crude, fuel, and chemical tankers (N and H endorsements) serving the energy sector
- Cross-border trade and freight: cross-border and international freight lanes
- Agriculture and cattle: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: regional and over-the-road distribution runs for grocery, retail, and e-commerce freight
Apply, test, and schedule through Texas Department of Public Safety. Not sure this is your class? Use the Texas CDL Selector.
A Class B CDL is generally used for a single commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, plus limited towing.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Straight truck driver
- Dump truck driver
- Large bus driver
- Box truck driver
- Concrete mixer driver
Class B CDL in Texas
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Texas moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Texas Class B work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: water trucks, vacuum trucks, and single-unit haulers on well sites and plants
- Agriculture and cattle: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: local delivery straight trucks and last-mile box trucks
- Transit and school districts: city buses and full-size school buses across Texas (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Texas Department of Public Safety. Not sure this is your class? Use the Texas CDL Selector.
A Class C CDL may apply when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight definitions but is used for passengers, school bus operation, or placarded hazardous materials.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge as required
- Passenger or School Bus endorsement if applicable
- HazMat endorsement if applicable
- State-specific requirements
Common Job Types
- Shuttle driver
- Small passenger vehicle driver
- School activity driver
- HazMat delivery driver
Class C CDL in Texas
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Texas that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Texas Class C work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: crew transport vans and light-duty HazMat deliveries to field sites
- Agriculture and cattle: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Technology and e-commerce distribution: light HazMat delivery routes when the load requires placards
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Texas school districts (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Texas Department of Public Safety. Not sure this is your class? Use the Texas CDL Selector.
Not sure which class applies to you?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the CDL Selector gives you a starting point in under a minute.