Texas CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Texas CDL General Knowledge test has 50 questions. You must answer at least 40 correctly — a passing score of 80% — to pass.

Texas issues three CDL classes: Class A (combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR towing a unit over 10,000 lbs), Class B (single vehicle over 26,001 lbs, or towing a vehicle under 10,001 lbs), and Class C (vehicles carrying 16+ passengers including the driver, or transporting hazardous materials requiring placards).

Yes. Depending on your CDL class and endorsements, you must also pass skills tests (pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road test) and endorsement-specific knowledge tests for Passenger (P), School Bus (S), Tank Vehicle (N), Hazardous Materials (H), Doubles/Triples (T), or Air Brakes.

A Texas CDL is valid for 8 years for most drivers. However, if you hold a HazMat endorsement, you must complete a TSA security threat assessment every 5 years. You must also keep your DOT medical certificate current throughout the CDL validity period.

A Texas CDL learner's permit (CLP) allows you to practice driving a commercial vehicle under the supervision of a licensed CDL holder. You must hold a CLP for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills test. The full CDL is issued after passing all required knowledge and skills tests.

A Class A CDL allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the towed unit exceeds 10,000 lbs — this includes tractor-trailers and double/triple trailer rigs. A Class B CDL covers single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a unit not exceeding 10,000 lbs — this includes straight trucks and large buses. A Class C CDL is required for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or for vehicles transporting hazardous materials that require placarding, when those vehicles do not qualify for Class A or B.

Texas CDL fees are set by the Texas DPS. As of 2025: the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) is $16 for 1 year; the CDL license itself costs approximately $97 for an 8-year license. Each knowledge test attempt costs $11. The HazMat endorsement requires an additional TSA security threat assessment fee of approximately $86 charged separately by the federal government. Skills test fees vary by the third-party testing site used. Check the Texas DPS website (dps.texas.gov) for the current fee schedule before your visit.

Federal regulations (49 CFR 383.133) require that CDL applicants demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to understand highway signs and respond to official inquiries. Texas DPS offers the CDL General Knowledge test in Spanish in addition to English. Other endorsement tests (HazMat, Passenger, etc.) may be English-only. Contact your local Texas DPS driver's license office to confirm language options for the specific test you need before scheduling.

A Texas CDL is valid for 8 years. To renew, you must visit a Texas DPS driver's license office, pass a vision test, pay the renewal fee, and provide a current DOT medical certificate. If you hold a HazMat endorsement, your TSA background check must also be current (renewed every 5 years). Texas CDL renewals cannot be done online — federal law requires in-person verification of medical certification. You may renew up to 2 years before expiration.

If you fail a Texas CDL knowledge test at a DPS office, you must wait at least 1 day before retesting. There is no limit on total attempts, but each attempt costs $11. Texas DPS will provide a score sheet showing which topic areas you missed — study those sections of the Texas CDL Handbook before retesting. If you fail the skills test at a third-party testing site, the retest fee is set by the testing site and you must again wait at least 1 day.