Texas Classes Of Drivers License

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The road to your license starts here

Class A CDL - The end all, be all of driver licenses. With this license, you can drive all the four-wheeled vehicles, including tractor trailers. So getchoo a trucker hat and a Big Gulp and hit the road in your 18 wheels. Unless you’re trying to drive anything bigger than a basic SUV or with less than two wheels, your regular ol’ Class C license will be enough. What about the in-car portion of driver’s education? For the Texas Driver Education Exclusively for Adults course, adults between the ages of 18-24 are not required to get any amount of driving in, and are not required to get a learner’s license before taking your road test.

License

Types of Driver's Licenses in Texas. It allows you to operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds towing a trailer not to exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds. However, if you plan to operate such vehicles commercially. Since Texas drivers license requirements were updated in 2010, there are a few schools in Texas that have been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation to offer the 6-hour adult driver education course online. Class B License in Texas. With a Class B driver's license, you can drive a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. You can also drive a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or more that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds.

A: Texas has a graduated driver license program. It is a step-by-step program for young drivers to gradually gain knowledge and driving experience with less exposure to risks. It is a step-by-step program for young drivers to gradually gain knowledge and driving experience with less exposure to risks. Jul 18, 2018  According to the Texas Driver Handbook, a Class A or B Exempt driver's license is valid for six years-or more specifically, until your birthday in the sixth year after your license was last renewed-just like a Class C license. Does upgrading to a Class A or B Exempt license reset my license renewal date? No, apparently it does not.

Online Adult Driver's Ed for $49.00

Getting your license starts with Texas Adult Driver’s Ed. This TDLR (formerly the TEA) approved online course eliminates the need to take the written test at the DPS.

  • Approved by the Texas DPS for Driver’s Ed
  • DPS written knowledge exam is included
  • Convenient 24/7 access on all device types
  • Certificate of completion emailed within 2 hours

Apply for a New Driver's License in Texas

If you're looking to drive legally in Texas, you need to obtain your driver's license right away.

Whether you're a new resident, a first-time driver, or a non-citizen, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes it simple to obtain your new license.

New to Texas?

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

If you're new to Texas, you have 90 days from the time you moved to the state to obtain your Texas driver's license. After that, your out-of-state or out-of-country license will no longer be valid for use in TX.

In order to apply for a license as a new resident, you'll take the same steps as those outlined in “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' below, EXCEPT you will not have to take the knowledge or road tests IF:

  • Your driver's license is valid and unexpired.
  • Your license is from another U.S. state or territory, OR it's from France, South Korea, Taiwan or Germany.

If your license is from a country other than those listed above, you must take both the written and driving tests.

NOTE: If you have a valid learner license from one of the countries listed above and wish to upgrade to a license in Texas, you'll be required to take the road test but not the knowledge test.

New Military Residents

If you've just moved to TX and you are either active in or recently discharged from the military and your driver's license is expired, you might be able to skip the knowledge and driving tests IF:

  • You present a valid military ID card.
  • You present proof that your previous state that issued your license has a policy that lets military members drive with expired licenses.
    • Contact your previous state to see which documents will suffice.

Types of Texas Driver's Licenses

Texas offers the following full, non-commercial license types:

  • Class C:
    • The Class C license allows you to drive regular, noncommercial passenger cars and trucks weighing less than 26,001 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class A:
    • The Noncommercial Class A license covers vehicles over 26,001 lbs. with towed vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
  • Noncommercial Class B:
    • You can drive a single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 lbs. or more. You can also tow a vehicle under 10,000 lbs. or a farm trailer less than 20,000 lbs. This license also authorizes you to drive a bus seating 24 passengers or more.

If you're interested in applying for another type of license, check out the following pages:

  • Teen Drivers
    • Covers licensing requirements for teen drivers, including Driver's Ed, permit, and testing requirements.
  • Motorcycles
    • Learn how to add a motorcycle endorsement onto your license.
  • Commercial Vehicles
    • Find out how to get your Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements.

Apply for Your New Texas Driver's License

Texas does not require drivers 18 years old and over to have a learner license prior to applying; however, if you are getting your license for the first time, you'll need to have a learner license to practice for your driving test. To learn all about getting a Texas learner's permit, please visit our Driver Permits in TX page.

Once you're ready to apply for your new driver's license, visit your local driver license office and:

  • Submit a completed Application for Texas Driver License or ID Card (Form DL-14A).
  • Present appropriate proof of ID. The TX DPS provides a full list of accepted documents, but expect to bring:
    • Proof of identity, which could include:
      • 1 primary document (e.g. passport, military ID, etc.).
        OR
      • 2 secondary documents (e.g. birth certificate, Certificate of Birth Abroad, etc.).
        OR
      • 1 secondary document AND 2 supporting documents (e.g. Social Security card, voter registration card, 1099, etc.).
    • Proof of Social Security number(e.g., Social Security card, W-2 or 1099)*.
    • Proof of lawful presence in the U.S. (e.g., birth certificate, I-94).
    • Proof of residency(2 documents) (e.g., current mortgage statement, medical card, etc.)*.
    *Note. Texas requires very specific documentation to prove identity, social security number and residency. Please check the state approved documents list to make sure you have the correct supporting documents.
  • If you are a new resident, present proof of TX vehicle registration.
  • Present proof of auto insurance for each vehicle you own OR an affidavit that you don't own a vehicle.
  • Surrender your out-of-state or out-of-country license (if applicable).
  • Present a certificate completion from a driver education course, if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • See “Driver Education Requirements' below if you are between 18 through 24 years old.
    • Proof of completion exempts you from taking the knowledge test.
    • This is NOT required for new residents transferring a valid, unexpired license from another state or country.
  • Pass the knowledge exam and driving test (unless you're exempt).*
  • Pay the $25 new driver's license fee.
    • Applicants 85 years old and over pay a $9 driver's license fee.
    • Disabled veterans may be able to waive the fee. (See “Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans' below.)

Once you've met all of the above requirements, you'll be issued a receipt which you can use to drive legally until your new license arrives. Your permanent Texas drivers license will be mailed to you within 3 weeks.

Your license expires 6 years after the issue date on your birthday.

* If you do not pass the knowledge and driving test on your first try, the driver license office will hold your application for 90 days, and you'll have 3 chances to pass the tests. If you do not pass the tests, you'll need to begin the driver's license application process over and pay a new fee.

Ace Your Exam on the First Try!

Don't leave your permit test to chance—take our free permit practice test with questions directly from the TX driver handbook. It's the fastest, easiest way to set yourself up for success!

NOTE: You may be able to schedule your appointment and/or driving test online; however, this option is not available for all offices. Check the Texas DPS online scheduling page to see if this is an option for your local office.

Texas Classes Of Driver's License California

Driver Education Requirements

If you are applying for a first-time license in Texas and you're between 18 through 24 years old, you're required to take an adult driver education courseAND participate in the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program.

You have different options to take adultdriver education training.
The course is 6 hours and can be taken in a classroom or online. At the completion of the course you will be given a certificate of completion.

The Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) program contains a 1 hour video broken up into 4 modules that you can view at your own pace. The ITYD program is offered for free by the Department of Public Safety.

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For more information about the ITYD program, take a look at the Department of Public Safety's information page.

Military Veterans and Texas Driver's Licenses

If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a fee exemption (if disabled) and may be able to add a veteran designation to your new license.

Fee Exemption

If you are a disabled veteran, the Texas DPS will waive your driver's license feeIF:

  • You were honorably discharged from the military.
  • You are at least 60% disabled due to military service.
  • You are provided compensation from the U.S. due to your disability.

If you meet the above qualifications, you can get your fee waived by presenting one of the follow documents at the time of application to confirm your disability status:

  • A signed letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that confirms your disability status.
    OR
  • Official documentation that proving the conditions above.*

*If you get disability compensation but you don't have a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you'll need to provide verification of your disability by your military branch.

Veteran Designation

You are eligible to get a veteran designation on your new Texas driver's license if you are a veteran who has been honorably discharged from one of the following U.S. military branches:

  • Army.
  • Air Force.
  • Navy.
  • Coast Guard.
  • Marine Corps.
  • TX National Guard.

To get the designation, present ONE of the following documents at your local driver license office:

Texas Classes Of Driver's License In Ga

  • DD-214.
  • DD-215.
  • NGB-22.
  • Letter from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs verifying your disability.

Texas Class C Commercial Driver's License

Non-Citizens and Texas Driver's Licenses

As a non-citizen, you will apply for a license in the same way as a U.S. citizen (see “Apply for Your TX Driver's License' above). However, you must prove lawful presence in the U.S. in order to obtain a driver license, and accepted documents vary based on your status.

The Texas DPS provides a full list of accepted documentation for you to check ahead of time to make sure you bring the right document(s).

You'll be issued a limited-term driver license if you are NOT one of the following:

  • U.S. citizen.
  • U.S. national.
  • Lawful permanent resident.
  • Refugee.
  • Asylee.

Limited-term licenses lapse on the DHS-determined expiration date of your lawful presence.

Forms

DL-14A
Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card
Application for a Texas driver's license OR identification card.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form
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By: Victoria Bailey

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A regular driver's license allows a person to drive personal vehicles and is known as a Class D license. There are also a number of commercial driver's licenses, or CDLs, that allow drivers to operate larger, commercial vehicles such as tanker trucks, school buses or HazMat vehicles.

By: Victoria Bailey

Getting a driver's license is a rite of passage for millions of young people around the country. For the average driver, this will simply be a regular license, usually called a Class D license. States also offer special licenses for commercial drivers, called CDLs.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

A regular driver's license that allows an individual to drive a personal car or truck is called a Class D license.

What Is a Class D Driver's License?

The average driver who simply wants to operate a personal vehicle like a car or pickup truck will need a license known as a Class D in most states. The same license type is available in other states under a different name.

In Connecticut and South Dakota, a non-commercial license is known as a Class 1. In Hawaii, it's Category (3), and in Indiana it's called an 'operator's license.' In Louisiana, it's a Class E, while Maine, Utah, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Maryland call it a Class C. In Nebraska it's a Class O, and in West Virginia, it's just called 'E.'

Texas Classes Of Driver's License S License In Texas

To legally operate larger or certain other vehicles, drivers need to take additional tests to qualify for other types of licenses.

What Is a Class B Driver's License?

In order to drive a number of commercial vehicles, you'll need one of a variety of specialty licenses, known as CDLs. A Class B commercial driver's license allows you to operate a single commercial vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of over 26,000 pounds. It also allows you to tow vehicles under 10,000 pounds.

What Is a Class C Driver's License?

A Class C commercial driver's license is even more specialized. It allows a driver to operate a vehicle that holds 16 or more occupants, including the driver. It also allows a driver to transport materials classified as hazardous under federal law, also known as HazMat. This can include passenger vans, small HazMat vehicles or combination vehicles that aren't covered by Class A or Class B commercial driver's licenses.

What Is a Class A and B Vehicle?

Commercial vehicles are rated according to their size and use. The largest are Class A vehicles, which include:

  • Tanker trucks
  • Livestock carriers
  • Tractor-trailers
  • Flatbed trucks
  • Trailer and truck combinations

Slightly smaller vehicles are classified as Class B. This list can include such vehicles as:

Texas Class Cm Driver's License

  • School buses
  • Segmented buses
  • Box trucks
  • Straight trucks
  • Dump trucks with small trailers

Texas Class A Drivers License Handbook

What Is Needed to Get a Commercial Driver's License?

In most cases, you must be at least 21 years old before you can apply for a CDL. Some states have passed laws allowing those between the ages of 18 and 20 to hold limited, single-state licenses. These licenses allow a person to operate a commercial vehicle, but drivers can't cross state lines and leave their home state. Once drivers turn 21, the single-state restriction will be automatically removed from the license.

Every state has its own rules about earning a CDL, but in general, the laws are very strict. They usually include written exams that cover knowledge of road rules and laws, plus a driving skills test in the vehicle the driver will be licensed for.

To drive some very specialized vehicles, some states require additional endorsements to the CDL. These can include 'T' for tank, which allows you to drive a truck carrying liquids, 'P' for passenger, which allows you to drive vehicles with passengers, 'H' for vehicles carrying hazardous materials and 'B' for school buses. You must take special tests in order to get these endorsements, as well as undergo a background check before receiving the B endorsement.