Texas Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) License: Requirements, Cost & Timeline
Texas requires a state license for this trade. Here is every step, fee and hour it takes — and what it pays once you are licensed.
Do you need a license?
Yes. The credential is the Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL), Class A/B, issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Working without it is a violation in Texas and can carry fines or a stop-work order, so the sequence below matters: training first, then the exam, then the application.
Steps to get licensed
- Hold a valid Texas driver license and self-certify your medical status with DPS.
- Obtain a Commercial Learner Permit ($25, valid 180 days) and hold it at least 14 days before skills testing.
- Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with an FMCSA-registered training provider.
- Pass the CDL knowledge exams (English only as of June 1, 2026) and the skills test: pre-trip inspection, basic control, road test.
- Pay $97 for the CDL, which expires in eight years (five years with a hazardous materials endorsement).
What it costs
The figures below are what the state charges. Training is separate and quotes vary by provider — a community-college programme and a private trade school can differ by thousands for the same licence.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $25 |
| License / certification fee | $97 |
| Renewal fee | $97 |
| Total state fees | $122 |
The exam fee is set by the testing vendor, not the state, and is not included above.
Full cost breakdown for Texas →
Keeping it valid
The licence renews every 8 years and the renewal fee is $97. CDL classes and endorsements are a federal standard under 49 CFR Part 383, so the credential is portable in substance; Texas still issues its own CDL, and a driver establishing Texas residency must obtain a Texas CDL. The exact transfer procedure was not verified in this pass.
What it pays in Texas
Median annual wage for Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in Texas: $54,550 ($26.22/hour), across 212,770 jobs. That is the midpoint — half of people in this trade earn more, half less.
Pay detail for Texas, and how it compares →
Other states
| State | State fees | Time | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $146 | — | $58,270 |
| Florida | $75 | — | $52,760 |
Common questions
Do you need a license to be a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in Texas?
Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL), Class A/B. Yes — issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
How much does a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) license cost in Texas?
$122 in state fees. Exam retakes cost extra.
How long does it take to get a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) license in Texas?
The board does not publish a fixed hour requirement.
What does a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) make in Texas?
The median is $54,550 a year ($26.22 an hour) statewide, per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Sources
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Age 18 to 84: new | $97 | Expires in eight years”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Original | $25 | Expires 180 days from issuance”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees“Age 18 to 84: renewal | $97 | Expires eight years after previous expiration date”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-do-i-apply-commercial-driver-license“You will be required to obtain and hold a CLP for at least 14 days.”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-do-i-apply-commercial-driver-license“Effective June 1, 2026 , the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will exclusively administer all Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge examinations in English .”
- https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/entry-level-driver-training-edlt“The FMCSA Training Provider Registry (dot.gov ) provides a comprehensive list of qualified instructors and training programs across the country.”