A Class A license in Texas lets you drive the largest commercial trucks and combinations, including tractor-trailers and doubles — but only if you pass the written test, the skills test, and a medical exam.
The Class A is the highest commercial license tier in Texas. It covers any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, as long as the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. In plain terms: if you see an 18-wheeler on the highway, the driver holds a Class A.
You cannot jump straight to Class A. Texas requires you to hold a valid Class C (regular passenger) license first, pass a written knowledge test specific to commercial driving, pass a behind-the-wheel skills test, and pass a Department of Transportation medical exam. The whole process typically takes several weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly you schedule your tests and how many attempts you need.
Key Takeaways
- A Class A license covers tractor-trailers, doubles, and any truck combination weighing 26,001 pounds or more with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds.
- You must already hold a valid Class C license and pass a written test, a skills test, and a medical exam before the Texas Department of Public Safety will issue a Class A.
- The medical exam is performed by a certified examiner and checks your vision, hearing, and general health — you cannot use your regular doctor.
- You can add endorsements (like Hazmat or Tanker) to your Class A, each requiring its own written test and background check.
- Your Class A is valid for five years, but your medical certification may expire sooner depending on your age and health history.
What vehicles you can legally drive with a Class A
A Class A covers the widest range of commercial vehicles. You can drive a tractor-trailer (the standard 18-wheeler), a doubles rig (tractor pulling two trailers), a triple combination, or any truck-and-trailer setup where the combined weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds on its own.
You can also drive any vehicle that requires a Class B or Class C commercial license — so a Class A is not limited to the largest trucks. If you hold a Class A, you can legally operate a dump truck, a box truck, or a straight truck, even though those are technically Class B vehicles. This is called "downgrading" and is perfectly legal.
What you cannot do with a Class A is drive a school bus (that requires a separate School Bus endorsement) or transport certain hazardous materials without adding a Hazmat endorsement. Passenger vans carrying 16 or more people also require a different endorsement, even if you hold a Class A.
The written test and what it covers
The Class A written test is administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety and covers commercial driving rules, vehicle inspection, safe driving practices, and cargo handling. The test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You can take it at any Texas DPS office.
The test draws from the Texas Commercial Driver License Manual, which you can read free from the DPS website or pick up in person at a DPS office. Most people study the manual for two to four weeks before testing. You are allowed to take the test multiple times — there is no limit — but you must wait one day between attempts if you fail.
Many people also use third-party study guides or online practice tests, which are not official but can help you understand the format. The official manual is the only source that guarantees you will see the actual test content.
The skills test and how it is scored
After you pass the written test, you schedule a behind-the-wheel skills test with a DPS examiner. You bring your own Class A-appropriate truck — you cannot borrow a friend's vehicle or use a training school's truck unless you have arranged it in advance. The test takes about 45 minutes and has three parts: a vehicle inspection, a basic control test, and a road test.
In the vehicle inspection, the examiner asks you to point out and explain the function of key safety components: lights, mirrors, brakes, tires, coupling devices, and emergency equipment. You do not have to take the truck apart, just show you know what to check and why.
The basic control test happens in a closed course or parking lot. You demonstrate backing in a straight line, backing into a 90-degree alley, and parking between two cones. These maneuvers are harder than they sound in a 70-foot rig, and many people fail this section on their first attempt.
The road test puts you on public streets with the examiner in the passenger seat. You merge, change lanes, navigate intersections, make turns, and drive at highway speeds. The examiner watches for smooth steering, proper mirror checks, safe following distance, and correct use of signals. One serious mistake — like rolling through a stop sign or hitting a cone during backing — can result in an automatic fail.
The medical exam requirement
Before the DPS will issue your Class A, you must pass a medical exam performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registry. This is not your regular doctor's office visit. The examiner checks your vision (you must see 20/40 or better in each eye), your hearing, your blood pressure, your ability to use your limbs, and your overall health history.
The exam costs between $75 and $150, depending on the examiner. You pay out of pocket — it is not covered by insurance. Once you pass, the examiner gives you a Medical Certificate (also called a Medical Card), which is valid for two years if you are under 49 years old, or one year if you are 49 or older. You must carry this card with you whenever you drive commercially.
If you have a medical condition — high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, or a seizure disorder, for example — the examiner may still pass you, but they may add restrictions to your certificate. A restriction might limit you to daylight driving only, or require you to wear corrective lenses. These restrictions appear on your Class A license.
Endorsements you can add to your Class A
Once you hold a Class A, you can add endorsements that let you haul specific cargo or operate specific vehicle types. The most common are Hazmat (hazardous materials), Tanker, Doubles/Triples, and Passenger. Each endorsement requires a separate written test and, for Hazmat, a background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The Hazmat endorsement is the most heavily regulated. You must pass the Hazmat written test, pass a TSA background check, and pay a fee. The TSA check takes one to two weeks. Once approved, your Hazmat endorsement is valid for five years, but it can be revoked if you are convicted of certain crimes or if your medical certification expires.
A Tanker endorsement lets you haul liquid cargo in a tank trailer. The test covers the physics of liquid surge and slosh, which can cause a tanker to jackknife if you brake or turn too hard. A Doubles/Triples endorsement lets you pull two or three trailers at once — some states do not allow triples, so check local rules before you take the job.
How long your Class A is valid
Your Class A license is valid for five years from the date the DPS issues it. You renew it by visiting a DPS office, paying the renewal fee, and passing a new vision test. You do not have to retake the written or skills test unless your license was suspended or revoked.
Your medical certificate, however, may expire before your license does. If you are under 49, your medical card is good for two years. If you are 49 or older, it is good for one year. When your medical certificate expires, you cannot legally drive commercially, even though your Class A license is still valid. You must get a new medical exam and a new certificate before you can return to work.
If your medical certificate expires while you are on the road, you have a grace period of 15 days to renew it before you are considered out of compliance. Plan ahead and schedule your medical exam before the expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Class A to drive a pickup truck with a trailer?
No. A pickup truck with a trailer usually falls under Class C (regular license) unless the combined weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds. Check your truck's GCWR on the door jamb or owner's manual. Most pickup-and-trailer combinations stay under that threshold.
Can I take the skills test in an automatic transmission truck?
Yes. If you pass the skills test in an automatic, your license will have a restriction limiting you to automatic transmissions. If you want to drive manual trucks, you must take the skills test in a manual truck.
What happens if I fail the skills test?
You can retake it. There is no limit on attempts, but you must wait at least one day between tests. Many people pass on their second or third try. Each test costs a fee, so budget for multiple attempts if you are new to commercial driving.
Can I get a Class A if I have a DUI on my record?
A DUI does not automatically disqualify you from a Class A, but it will show up in your background check and may affect your ability to get hired by a trucking company. The DPS will still issue the license if you meet all other requirements. However, if the DUI happened while you were driving commercially, your commercial license may be suspended or revoked.
What is the difference between a Class A and a Class B commercial license?
A Class B covers straight trucks (like dump trucks or box trucks) with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds, but the towed vehicle must weigh 10,000 pounds or less. A Class A covers any combination where the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds. Class A is the highest tier and covers everything Class B does.