Free practice questions, official TX DMV fees (from $11), testing-office list, and state-specific rules — all cited to primary sources.
Last reviewed 2026-04-26 · cdltest.com Editorial Team
Texas is the second-largest CDL-issuing state in the country, and the Texas Department of Public Safety leans heavily on a private network of Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) providers to administer commercial skills exams. If you train at a TPST-certified truck school, there is a good chance you will complete your entire CDL flow, including the knowledge tests, without ever stepping into a state-run Mega Center. That structural fact separates Texas from most other states, and it shapes a lot of the practical decisions a candidate makes.
The license pathway itself is conventional. You apply for a Class A, B, or commercial Class C. You file form CDL-1, pick a medical self-certification category on CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10, and pay the Commercial Learner Permit fee of $25. The CLP is good for 180 days and can be renewed once before expiration. You must hold the CLP for a minimum of 14 days before taking the skills test, and you must complete Entry Level Driver Training first, because ELDT has been a federal prerequisite to skills testing since February 7, 2022. Knowledge tests run in a fixed sequence: Texas Commercial Rules, General Knowledge, Combination (Class A only), Air Brakes if applicable, then endorsements. The original CDL fee is $97 for an 8-year term, or $61 for the 5-year HazMat-endorsed cycle.
One place Texas diverges sharply from some peers is language. DPS offers the commercial knowledge test in English or Spanish, and nothing else. Interpreters are prohibited during the skills test, and neither the applicant nor the examiner may communicate in a language other than English while the test is running. California, for comparison, offers commercial knowledge tests in six languages. The flip side is that Texas takes Spanish seriously: the DL-7C handbook is published in a full Spanish edition, so bilingual candidates can study natively and test in Spanish without penalty.
The farm exemption is broader in Texas than in most states, which matters for anyone operating a ranch or a family farm. A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer, used to haul agricultural products or equipment within 150 air-miles of the farm, not operated for hire, and not placarded hazmat does not require a CDL. Ranchers count as farmers for this purpose, and the farmer's employees are equally exempt. You still need a non-commercial Class A or B driver license that matches the vehicle's GVWR, filed on the CDL-2 non-CDL application form. A narrower Farm-Related Service Industry waiver lets DPS issue a restricted Class B or Class C CDL to employees of custom harvesters, agri-chemical businesses, and livestock feeders without knowledge or skills testing.
Military applicants have a separate track. Form CDL-3A waives the skills test for service members who operated a CMV-equivalent military vehicle for at least the two years immediately preceding discharge, and CDL-3B waives both the knowledge and skills tests for a qualifying subset. Both waivers exclude the School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements, so veterans aiming at school bus or transit careers still sit both exams in person. If you already hold a valid CDL from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada when you move to Texas, you have 90 days to convert it; the written and driving exams are waived and you pay the standard $97 CDL fee after a vision check.
The testing offices listed below are five canonical Mega Centers we verified as administering CDL skills tests: Houston North, Dallas Garland, Fort Worth, Austin Pflugerville, and San Antonio Leon Valley. San Antonio Leon Valley is Class B only, so Class A candidates in the San Antonio metro typically schedule through a TPST provider. We review this page against the Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C) and the DPS Driver License Fees schedule; the last review date is shown at the bottom of the page, next to the full source list.
Fees
Fee
Amount
Source
Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) — original or renewal
Valid for 180 days from issuance; can be renewed one time before expiration. A $1 administrative fee is already included in this amount.
Motorcycle endorsement added to CDL (original application)
Motorcycle is the only endorsement with a separately listed dollar fee on the DPS schedule; H, N, P, S, T, and X endorsements do not carry a state add-on fee.
CDL knowledge test is offered in English or Spanish only; no interpreters during the skills test
Per Texas DPS policy, the commercial knowledge test is offered exclusively in English or Spanish. Interpreters are prohibited during the CDL skills test, and neither the applicant nor the examiner may communicate in a language other than English while the skills test is in progress. The DL-7C commercial driver handbook is published in both English and Spanish editions.
Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) is a dominant route to the Texas CDL skills test
DPS certifies private companies as Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) providers authorized to administer CDL knowledge and skills examinations for Class A, B, and C. Provider requirements include a permanent Texas structure, at least 365 days of continual operation, an owned or leased Class A or B commercial motor vehicle, and a $25,000 surety bond per examiner. As a result, many Texas CDL candidates complete their entire testing sequence through a TPST-certified truck school or carrier rather than at a DPS office.
Military skills-test waivers (CDL-3A and CDL-3B) exclude School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements
Texas honors two federal-origin military waivers. Form CDL-3A waives the CDL skills test for service members who operated a CMV-equivalent military vehicle for at least the two years immediately preceding discharge; knowledge tests are not waived under CDL-3A. Form CDL-3B waives both the knowledge and skills tests for a narrower qualifying group. Under both waivers, the School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsement tests are excluded and must be taken in person.
Farm exemption — no CDL required within 150 air-miles of the farm
A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer (or the farmer's employees), used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from the farm, within 150 air-miles of the farm, not used in for-hire carrier operations, and not placarded for hazardous materials, does not require a CDL to operate. The driver must still hold a non-commercial Class A or B driver license matching the vehicle's GVWR and file the Texas Class A or B Driver License Application for Non-CDL Exempt Vehicles (form CDL-2). A separate Farm-Related Service Industry (FRSI) waiver allows DPS to issue a restricted Class B or C CDL without knowledge or skills testing to employees of farm retail outlets, agri-chemical businesses, custom harvesters, and livestock feeders.
Medical self-certification on CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10 — all four operating categories available
At CLP or CDL application, every Texas applicant must self-certify one of the four federal operating categories (Non-Excepted Interstate, Excepted Interstate, Non-Excepted Intrastate, or Excepted Intrastate) on form CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10. Non-Excepted Interstate applicants must also submit a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5876). Texas issues all four operating categories — unlike California, which issues only the two Non-Excepted categories.
Out-of-state CDL transfer — surrender within 90 days, knowledge and skills tests waived
New Texas residents holding a valid CDL from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada have 90 days to transfer to a Texas CDL. The applicant surrenders the out-of-state license, passes a vision exam, completes the CDL-1 application, and pays the standard CDL fee. The written and driving exams are waived for a valid out-of-state license. Federal regulations require DPS to transfer the driver's out-of-state driver history into the Texas CDL record electronically.
15 questions from the FMCSA CDL Manual. Click to reveal each answer.
What is the most important reason to inspect your vehicle before a trip?
A. To satisfy your dispatcher that the vehicle has been checked in
B. Safety, for yourself and for other road users
C. To make the vehicle look clean before delivery
D. To qualify for a fuel-economy bonus
Correct: B. Safety, for yourself and for other road users
The manual states plainly that safety — both yours and that of other road users — is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle. A defect caught at inspection can prevent a breakdown or a crash on the road.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.1
Why does the manual recommend doing the seven-step pre-trip inspection the same way every time?
A. Federal law requires the exact sequence to be followed
B. The DMV examiner grades you on the order alone
C. You will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something
D. Different sequences wear out different vehicle parts
Correct: C. You will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something
The seven-step method works because consistency builds memory. The manual says to do the pre-trip the same way each time so you will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.5
While driving, which of the following is NOT one of the manual’s recommended ways to watch for vehicle problems during a trip?
A. Watch your gauges for signs of trouble
B. Use your senses to check for problems — look, listen, smell, feel
C. Check critical items when you stop, such as tires, brakes, and lights
D. Rely on the engine-control-module logs to surface any problems after the trip
Correct: D. Rely on the engine-control-module logs to surface any problems after the trip
The manual’s during-trip checks are all active and in-the-moment: watch gauges, use your senses, and inspect critical items at stops. Waiting until after the trip to review ECM logs misses the point — the during-trip inspection exists precisely so you catch problems before they turn into crashes.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.2
When you must back a commercial vehicle, the manual says you should back toward the driver’s side. Why?
A. Backing toward the driver’s side is required by federal regulation
B. So you can see the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window
C. So the exhaust stack will blow away from pedestrians
D. So the trailer brakes receive more air pressure
Correct: B. So you can see the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window
Backing to the driver’s side lets you see the rear of your vehicle directly out the side window, which the manual presents as far safer than relying only on a blind-side mirror.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.2
According to the manual, when should you downshift before entering a curve?
A. While you are in the curve, at the apex
B. After the curve, as you accelerate out
C. Before entering the curve, after slowing to a safe speed
D. Only if the curve is posted below 25 mph
Correct: C. Before entering the curve, after slowing to a safe speed
The manual says to slow to a safe speed and downshift to the right gear before entering the curve. Being in the right gear before the curve lets you apply some power through the turn, which keeps the vehicle more stable.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.3.1
Which three components add up to total stopping distance for a commercial vehicle with hydraulic brakes?
A. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
B. Following distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
C. Perception distance, braking distance, and skid distance
D. Reaction distance, braking distance, and off-tracking distance
Correct: A. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
The manual gives the formula Perception Distance + Reaction Distance + Braking Distance = Total Stopping Distance. At 55 mph those add up to roughly 419 feet under ideal conditions.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.6.1
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. Under the manual’s following-distance rule, how much space should you keep between you and the vehicle ahead?
A. At least 2 seconds
B. At least 4 seconds
C. At least 5 seconds
D. At least 7 seconds
Correct: B. At least 4 seconds
The rule is one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. A 40-foot vehicle needs at least 4 seconds. You would add 1 second for speeds above 40 mph, which does not apply here.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.7.1
At night, how does the manual say you should match your speed to your headlights?
A. Drive fast enough that your headlights stay on the brightest setting
B. Drive at whatever speed the traffic around you is driving
C. Adjust your speed so you can stop within the range your headlights illuminate
D. Drive at the posted speed limit regardless of how far your lights reach
Correct: C. Adjust your speed so you can stop within the range your headlights illuminate
The manual says you must adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance within your sight distance — in other words, slow enough to stop within the range of your headlights (about 250 feet on low beams, 350–500 feet on high).
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.11.4
How far ahead does the manual say good drivers of large commercial vehicles typically look?
A. 2 to 4 seconds ahead
B. 6 to 8 seconds ahead
C. 12 to 15 seconds ahead
D. 30 to 45 seconds ahead
Correct: C. 12 to 15 seconds ahead
Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead — about one block at city speeds and about a quarter of a mile at highway speeds. Looking that far ahead lets you change speed or lanes smoothly instead of reacting suddenly.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.4.1
You don’t have enough room to stop before hitting an obstacle in your lane. What does the manual say about steering around it?
A. Stopping is always safer than steering, even when space is short
B. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop
C. You should apply the brakes hard while turning to scrub off speed
D. You should lock the brakes fully and let the vehicle skid to a stop rather than turning
Correct: B. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop
The manual explicitly says you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. Stopping is not always the safest response when space is short — but top-heavy vehicles and multi-trailer combinations may flip if turned too sharply.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1
Your rear drive wheels begin a braking skid. What is the first action the manual tells you to take?
A. Press harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle faster
B. Stop braking, so the rear wheels can roll again and regain traction
C. Pull the parking brake to lock the rear wheels and stop the slide
D. Shift into neutral and coast until the skid ends
Correct: B. Stop braking, so the rear wheels can roll again and regain traction
The manual’s first step to correct a drive-wheel braking skid is to stop braking. Locked wheels have less traction than rolling wheels, so releasing the brakes lets the rear wheels roll and keeps them from sliding further sideways.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.19.2
Even when you did not load the cargo yourself, you are still responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Inspecting your cargo
B. Recognizing overloads and poorly balanced weight
C. Knowing the cargo is properly secured and does not block your view
D. Determining the final retail price of the cargo
Correct: D. Determining the final retail price of the cargo
The manual lists the driver’s cargo responsibilities as inspecting cargo, recognizing overloads and bad weight distribution, confirming secure loading with unobstructed view, and keeping access to emergency equipment clear. Retail pricing is not a driver duty.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 3.1
Under the federal rule repeated in the manual, what is the minimum number of tiedowns for a piece of flatbed cargo, no matter how small?
A. One tiedown
B. Two tiedowns
C. Three tiedowns
D. Four tiedowns
Correct: B. Two tiedowns
The manual requires at least one tiedown for every 10 feet of cargo, and specifies that no matter how small the piece of cargo is, it must have at least two tiedowns.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 3.3.2
Compared with the hydraulic brakes on a car, what extra factor adds to stopping distance when a vehicle has air brakes?
A. Perception distance is longer because the driver sits higher
B. Reaction distance is longer because of the heavier steering wheel
C. Brake lag — the time (about half a second) it takes for air to flow through the lines to the brakes
D. Air brakes shorten stopping distance, they do not add to it
Correct: C. Brake lag — the time (about half a second) it takes for air to flow through the lines to the brakes
With hydraulic brakes the brakes work instantly, but with air brakes it takes about a half second or more for the air to flow through the lines. This brake-lag distance is added to perception, reaction, and braking distance — at 55 mph it adds roughly 32 feet.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.4.4
You are offered a load whose shipping papers require the vehicle to display hazardous materials placards. You do not have a HazMat endorsement on your CDL. What does the manual say?
A. You may drive the load if you keep the placards off until you reach the highway
B. You may drive the load as long as another endorsed driver rides along
C. You may not drive a vehicle that requires placards unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement
D. You may drive the load because the General Knowledge test already covers HazMat
Correct: C. You may not drive a vehicle that requires placards unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement
The manual states that if a vehicle requires placards, you cannot drive it unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement — doing so is a crime. All drivers should be able to recognize HazMat cargo, but driving a placarded vehicle requires the H endorsement.