Texas CDL Fees, Documents, and Testing Checklist

Fees, accepted documents, appointment systems, office services, and submission procedures change faster than handbook driving rules. Treat the handbook as the study authority, but verify live administrative details on the official Texas DPS CDL pages before paying or traveling.

Prepare the current application, Texas driver license or required original-license documents, Social Security evidence, identity, lawful-presence and residency records, medical self-certification, medical examiner certificate or variance when required, and any class, endorsement, exemption, or waiver forms that apply. Names and identifying information must match across records.

Every applicant needs general knowledge. Add combination, air-brake, passenger, school-bus, tank, doubles/triples, or hazardous-material tests according to the requested authority. HazMat also involves the federal security process. Missing one required knowledge test can prevent issuance even after other tests are passed.

After obtaining the appropriate CLP, practice only with a qualified accompanying CDL holder and obey permit restrictions. Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before skills testing. Confirm permit validity and renewal rules before scheduling the test.

The vehicle must represent the class and endorsements requested and must be safe, registered, insured, and equipped as required. Transmission type, brake system, passenger group, and combination connection can create restrictions. Confirm whether the chosen location administers the required CDL skills test.

The 2019 handbook includes historical application, permit, change, and duplicate-license fees. Do not publish those amounts as permanent current prices. Store fee URLs and last-checked dates separately so the application can direct users to Texas DPS for the current amount.

Verify documents, medical status, ELDT completion, test list, CLP holding period, appointment, vehicle, insurance, registration, accompanying driver, and payment method. Recheck the DPS page shortly before the appointment for closures or procedure changes.

The March 2026 fee table lists a standard CDL fee of $97 for ages 18-84 with an eight-year expiration, $61 for a CDL with a HazMat endorsement with a five-year expiration, $26 for applicants age 85 and older with a two-year expiration, and $25 for an original or renewal CLP. Replacement, name/address changes, and adding or removing endorsements or restrictions cost $11. A non-domiciled CDL is $121, and a Chapter 62, CCP CDL is $21 for one year. DPS in-office driver-license services are by appointment; not every office offers CDL skills testing. The same 2026 handbook also requires drivers to know Texas commercial-vehicle limits: 14 feet maximum height, 102 inches maximum width, 80,000 pounds general maximum gross weight, and special permit rules for loads extending beyond 3 feet in front or 4 feet in rear. Texas safety guidance recommends a 4-second open-road following gap, increasing to 6-8 seconds in bad weather, and at least 6 feet when passing a two-wheeled vehicle.