You drove trucks in the military for four years. You moved to Dallas, walked into the DPS office on Lamar Street, and told them you want a Class A CDL. The clerk handed you a stack of forms, mentioned something called “Section 14” and “ITD,” and told you to come back with a medical card and proof of training. You left more confused than when you walked in.
Texas has one of the most bureaucratic CDL licensing processes in the country. It is not that the driving is harder - it is that the paperwork maze will eat you alive if you miss a single step. Texas adds its own requirements on top of the federal rules, and if you skip any of them, you start over.
This guide is the complete roadmap for how to get a CDL in Texas in 2026. Every form, every test, every deadline, in the exact order you need to follow.
Phase 1: Eligibility and Documentation
Before you walk into a DPS office, have every document ready. Texas will turn you away for a single missing piece of paper.
Age Requirements
- 18 years old - Can get a CDL but restricted to intrastate driving only (cannot cross state lines)
- 21 years old - Full interstate CDL, can drive anywhere in the country
- Most trucking companies require drivers to be at least 21 for insurance reasons, even though the state allows 18 for intrastate
The “Real ID” Document Check
Texas strictly enforces federal Real ID laws. Bring originals - no photocopies, no photos on your phone:
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Status: Valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card
- Social Security Number: Original SSN card (not a copy)
- Texas Residency: TWO documents showing your Texas address, dated within 90 days (utility bill, bank statement, voter registration card, vehicle registration)
- Current Texas driver license - if you have an out-of-state license, you must transfer it to Texas first
Medical Certification (DOT Physical)
Visit a doctor listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Not your family doctor - it must be a certified medical examiner (CME). The exam costs $75 to $200 and is valid for up to 24 months.
When you apply at the DPS, you will self-certify your driving category on Form CDL-4 or CDL-10:
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) - for drivers who cross state lines (most OTR and regional drivers)
- Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA) - for Texas-only drivers
- Choose NI unless you are certain you will never leave the state
The Application (Form CDL-1)
Download the Texas Commercial Driver License Application (Form CDL-1) from the DPS website. Fill it out before you go. You will need to list 10 years of work history, including periods of unemployment. Gaps are fine - just document them.
Phase 2: The Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
You must hold a CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test. But first you need to pass the written exams.
The Written Tests
At the DPS office, you will pay the $25.00 CLP fee, take a vision test, and then sit down at the computer for the knowledge exams. For a Class A CDL, you need to pass four tests:
- Texas Commercial Rules (Section 14): Unique to Texas. Covers state-specific rules like vehicle lighting requirements and maximum vehicle height (14 feet). This test catches people who only studied the federal manual.
- General Knowledge: 50 questions covering vehicle inspection, basic control, and road safety. Federal standard.
- Air Brakes: 25 questions about pneumatic brake systems, PSI values, and leak test procedures.
- Combination Vehicles: 20 questions about coupling, trailer brakes, and jackknife prevention.
You do not have to pass all four in one visit, but you will not receive your CLP until all are passed. Each failed test requires a wait period and a retest fee.
Strategy: Study Section 14 separately. Many applicants from other states do not realize it exists and fail it on their first attempt.
CLP Restrictions
While holding a CLP, you can only drive:
- When accompanied by a fully licensed CDL holder of the same or higher class, sitting in the passenger seat
- You cannot carry HazMat passengers, and you cannot drive a double/triple trailer combination
- The CLP is valid for 180 days and can be renewed once
Phase 3: Mandatory Training (ELDT and ITD)
Texas has TWO mandatory training requirements - one federal and one state-specific. Both must be completed before the skills test.
Federal: ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training)
Since February 2022, every first-time Class A and Class B applicant must complete ELDT from an FMCSA-approved provider on the Training Provider Registry (TPR).
- Theory portion: Can be completed online. Takes 40 to 80 hours depending on the program. Covers vehicle systems, cargo management, hours of service, and safety regulations.
- Behind-the-wheel (BTW): Must be done in person with a qualified instructor. This is where the cost lives - $4,000 to $7,000 at a private school, or $2,500 to $5,000 at a community college.
Training options in Texas:
- Private truck driving schools: 3 to 6 weeks, $4,000 to $7,000. Fast but expensive.
- Community colleges: 8 to 16 weeks, $2,500 to $5,000. Cheaper, eligible for financial aid and VA benefits. Programs exist in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and the DFW metroplex.
- Company-sponsored training: Free or low-cost upfront, but you sign a contract to work for the company for 6 to 12 months. If you quit early, you owe the full tuition.
Critical check: Before you pay any school, verify they are on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. If they are not listed, your ELDT certificate is worthless and the DPS will reject your application.
Texas-Specific: ITD (Impact Texas Drivers)
This is the one that catches people who trained in other states. Texas requires you to watch the Impact Texas Commercial Drivers (ITCD) video before your skills test.
- Cost: Free
- Where: The official DPS Impact Texas Drivers website
- Time: About 2 hours
- Validity: The completion certificate is only valid for 90 days. Time this carefully - if it expires before your skills test, you have to watch it again.
- Requirement: Print the certificate and bring it to the test. No certificate = no test. No exceptions.
Phase 4: The Skills Test
After your CLP has been active for 14 days, your ELDT is uploaded, and your ITD certificate is printed, you can schedule the skills test.
DPS Official Test Sites
- Cost: $25 (included in your original application fee)
- Wait time: 4 to 8 weeks for an appointment in major cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio)
- Faster in: Rural DPS offices often have shorter waits
Third-Party Skills Test (TPST) Providers
- Cost: $100 to $300
- Wait time: 1 to 2 weeks
- Advantage: Your training school typically partners with a TPST provider, so they handle the scheduling
- Note: TPST results are transmitted electronically to the DPS - you do not need to carry paper results
What the Skills Test Covers
The test has three parts:
- Pre-Trip Inspection: Walk around the vehicle and identify every component the examiner asks about. Name each part in English, describe what you are checking, and state the condition.
- Basic Vehicle Control: Straight-line back, offset back, and parallel park in a controlled area.
- On-Road Driving: Drive a predetermined route on public roads. The examiner evaluates lane usage, turning, intersection behavior, speed management, and mirror usage.
Automatic Failure Items
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Crossing a solid center line
- Any dangerous action requiring the examiner to intervene
- Failing to stop at a railroad crossing (if you have HazMat or Passenger endorsements)
- Accumulating too many points on the pre-trip or basic control sections
Texas CDL Fees Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| CLP Application Fee | $25 |
| Class A CDL (8-year license) | $97 |
| Class B CDL (8-year license) | $97 |
| DPS Skills Test | $25 (included in app fee) |
| TPST Skills Test (third-party) | $100 - $300 |
| DOT Physical | $75 - $200 |
| HazMat TSA Background Check | $86.50 |
| CDL Training (private school) | $4,000 - $7,000 |
| CDL Training (community college) | $2,500 - $5,000 |
The DPS fees are low. Training is the real cost. Budget $3,500 to $7,500 total depending on your school choice.
The Realistic Timeline
| Week | Activity |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Gather documents, get DOT physical, study for written tests |
| Week 2 | Take written tests at DPS, receive CLP |
| Weeks 2-5 | Complete ELDT training (theory + behind-the-wheel) |
| Week 5 | Watch ITD video, print certificate |
| Week 6 | 14-day CLP holding period complete, schedule skills test |
| Weeks 6-8 | Take skills test (DPS or TPST), receive CDL |
If you hit no delays and use a TPST provider, you can do it in 4 to 5 weeks. Realistically, plan for 6 to 8 weeks. DPS appointment backlogs are the most common bottleneck.
Conclusion
Learning how to get a CDL in Texas is less about driving skill and more about following the process in the right order. Miss the ITD video, you cannot test. Skip Section 14, you fail the written exam. Forget your DOT medical card, the DPS turns you away at the door. Each step depends on the one before it.
Start with the documents and the DOT physical. Get your CLP as fast as possible because the 14-day clock starts then. Choose a training school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Watch the ITD video within 90 days of your test date. And if the DPS appointment wait is too long, use a TPST provider to skip the line.
For more help preparing for the written exams, try our Free CDL Practice Test. For Texas-specific HazMat preparation, check our Texas CDL HazMat Practice Test guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to get a CDL in Texas?
Plan for 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish. This includes getting your CLP (1 day), completing ELDT training (2 to 4 weeks), the mandatory 14-day CLP holding period, the ITD video, and scheduling the skills test. DPS appointment backlogs in Houston and Dallas can add 2 to 4 weeks.
What is the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) requirement?
The ITD is a mandatory free video course called Impact Texas Commercial Drivers (ITCD) that you must watch online before your skills test. Print the completion certificate and bring it to the test. The certificate is only valid for 90 days, so time it carefully.
What is Section 14 on the Texas CDL test?
Section 14 is the Texas Commercial Rules test - a Texas-specific exam that covers state regulations including vehicle lighting, maximum vehicle height (14 feet), and special traffic laws. It is separate from the federal General Knowledge test and catches many applicants who only studied the national manual.
Can I take the Texas CDL road test with a third party?
Yes. Texas authorizes Third-Party Skills Testing (TPST) providers. They charge $100 to $300 compared to the DPS fee of $25, but appointment availability is much better. Most training schools partner with TPST providers and handle scheduling for you.
How much does it cost to get a CDL in Texas?
Total cost ranges from $3,500 to $7,500. DPS fees are low ($25 for CLP, $97 for the 8-year CDL). The major expense is training: private schools charge $4,000 to $7,000, community colleges charge $2,500 to $5,000. Add $75 to $200 for the DOT physical and $86.50 for the HazMat TSA check if applicable.
Do I need to complete ELDT training before the CDL test in Texas?
Yes. Since February 2022, all first-time Class A and Class B applicants must complete ELDT from an FMCSA-approved provider on the Training Provider Registry. Both theory (online) and behind-the-wheel (in person) are required. The DPS will not let you test without verified ELDT completion.