1. To obtain a Texas CDL you must apply in person at any driver license office.
2. Complete the appropriate application:
   Qualifications of Interstate Driver Certification (CDL-4)
   Qualifications of Intrastate Driver Certification and Exemption (CDL-5)
3. Present proof of identity.
   Different documents are required if an individual is a U.S. citizen or has lawful presence.
   Individuals may be required to present more than one document to verify identity, and the information on all documents must match each other.
   Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information such as incomplete names or date of birth.
4. Present documents to verify Texas residency.
5. Present evidence of a Social Security Number (a CDL cannot be issued to individuals who do not have a Social Security Number).
6. You must meet the self-certification of medical status by completing the Self-Certification Affidavit (CDL-7). Depending on the type of certification, an individual may need to present a medical examiner certificate.
7. You must also meet the nonresident commercial requirements (in some states this is also referred to as nondomicile commercial resident) for applicants from a foreign jurisdiction other than Canada or Mexico.
8. Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles registered in the individuals name.
9. Complete the Supplement Application Texas Commercial Driver License Certifications and Record of CDL Examination.
10. Have your photograph, signature and fingerprints taken.
11. Pass the vision test.
12. Pass the knowledge and skills tests for the appropriate driver license including endorsements.
13. Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order or a non-temporary check.
14. Provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must be representative of the type of license in which you are applying for.
    You may schedule your driving tests online
    Not every driver license office is able to accommodate a CDL road test

General Required DocumentsEdit

• Identity Documents
• Texas Residency Documents
• Social Security Number evidence
• Self-Certification of Medical Status
• Non-resident commercial requirements
• Proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance

Proof of IdentityEdit

Three ways an applicant can verify his/her identity:

1. Present one item listed in the Primary Identity Documents category or
2. Present two items listed in the Secondary Identity Documents category or
3. Present one item listed in the Secondary Identity Documents category and two documents listed in the Supporting Identity Documents category

Information on the documents, such as name and date of birth, must all match. If the name is different on each document, then the applicant must provide documents that verify a legal name change. If other information on the document is different, speak with a Customer Service Representative for assistance. If you are using a name other than what is on your birth certificate, (example: married name), you will be required to show legal documentation of name change. Documents must be original or certified copy. Certified documents should not be laminated. No photocopies can be accepted.

Acceptable documents:

• Marriage license
• Divorce decree
• Court ordered name change

Because the state of Texas does not recognize same-sex marriage, DPS cannot accept same-sex marriage licenses. Documents listed in any of the following categories may be expired unless otherwise noted.

Note: You may download a brochure listing all of the following documents LINK

Primary Identity Documents

An applicant can present one primary document. No other documents are required to verify identity if ONE primary document is provided.

• Texas driver license or Texas identification card not expired more than 2 years
• Proof of citizenship will be required if not previously established
• Unexpired U.S. passport book or card
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)
• Unexpired Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document with verifiable data and identifiable photo, such as one of the following:
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
• Foreign passport with attached temporary I-551 (immigrant visa endorsed with ADIT stamp)
• Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
• Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
• Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
• I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
• I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
• Refugee Travel Letter with photo, stamped by Customs and Border Protection
• American Indian Card (I-872)
• Northern Mariana card (I-873)
• Foreign passport with attached visa and Form I-94
• Unexpired U.S. military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo

Secondary Identity Documents

Applicants who do not have a primary document can present two secondary documents. No other documents are required to verify identity if TWO secondary documents are provided.

• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province

Note: Because Puerto Rican statute provides that Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are no longer valid, the Department cannot recognize these birth certificates as proof of identification or lawful presence. To know more LINK.

• For U.S. citizens born abroadCertificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State
• Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province

Supporting Identity Documents

Applicants who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide ONE secondary document (from the list above) and TWO supporting documents.

• Social security card
• Form W-2 or 1099
• Driver license or ID card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)*
• Texas driver license or ID card that has been expired more than two years
• Temporary receipt for a Texas driver license or ID card
• School records* (e.g., report cards, photo ID cards)
• Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card
• Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
• Voter registration card*
• Pilot license*
• Concealed handgun license or License to Carry*
• Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
• ID card issued by a government agency*
• Consular document issued by a state or national government
• Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
• Federal inmate identification card
• Federal parole or release certificate
• Medicare or Medicaid card
• Selective Service card
• Immunization records*
• Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
• Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
• Unexpired foreign passport
• Unexpired insurance policy valid for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
• Current Texas vehicle registration or title
• Current Texas boat registration or title
• Veteran's ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Abstract (shortened) birth certificate
• Hospital-issued birth record*
• Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)

Note: *The document must be issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province.

Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78752-4431

Mailing Address:
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0001

Search for Driver License Offices

You must obtain a CDL if you will be operating a motor vehicle:

• With a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds,
• Which transports quantities of hazardous materials that requires warning placards (signs), or
• Designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.

Note: Any individual whose driver license is currently suspended, cancelled or revoked in Texas or in any other state is not eligible for a CDL.

CDL Exemptions

Individuals who operate any of the following vehicles are not required to obtain a CDL but must have the correct type of driver license for the vehicle they are operating:

• Military or commercial vehicles when operated for military purposes by military personnel,
• A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products, machinery or supplies within 150 miles of the individuals farm,
• Fire-fighting or emergency vehicles necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter,
• Recreational vehicles driven for personal use (although a CDL is not required, individuals may need to obtain a Class A driver license), and
• A vehicle used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules or cotton burrs.

Commercial driver license (CDL) :

• Age 18 to 84: new $61
• Age 18 to 84: renewal $61
• Age 85 and older: new $26
• Age 85 and older: renewal

Other CDL related fees

• Age 18 to 84: Expires in five years
• Age 18 to 84: Expires five years after previous expiration date
• Age 85 and older: Expires after two years (on your birthday)
• Age 85 and older: Expires two years after previous expiration da

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CDL for interstate or intrastate commerce

You may apply for a CDL that allows the transportation of either interstate or intrastate commerce. At the driver license office, you must specify if you are applying for interstate or intrastate commerce.

Interstate commerce means trade, traffic or transportation:

• Within the U.S. between a place in a state and a place outside of such state or outside of the U.S., or
• Between two places in a state through another state or outside of the U.S.

Intrastate commerce is the:

• Transportation of property (a commodity) where the point of origin and destination are within one state and the state line, or
• International boundary is not crossed.

The Bill of Lading will be an indicator as to whether a shipment or commodity is interstate or intrastate. If there is not a Bill of Lading then the origin and destination of the shipment will be an indicator.

To know more about the requirements needed to apply for an intrastate or interstate CDL, read the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook.

• Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Maiden Name
• Driver License Number
• Birth Date
• Social Security Number

A commercial drivers license (CDL) is a kind of drivers license an individual can apply for to transport interstate or intrastate commerce.

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Texas Department of Public Safety.

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