A Texas Class B license lets you drive a single vehicle: a bus designed to carry more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
This is a commercial license, not a personal one. You cannot use it to drive a car, truck, or van for everyday use. The Class B is specifically for people whose job is to operate buses — school buses, transit buses, tour buses, or shuttle buses. If you drive a bus for work in Texas, you need this license before you can legally operate that vehicle on public roads.
The Class B sits between the regular Class C (which covers cars and light trucks) and the Class A (which covers tractor-trailers and other heavy combinations). It is narrower than both: you can only drive buses, not other commercial vehicles, and you cannot pull a trailer with air brakes or a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds.
Key Takeaways
- A Class B license is required to drive any bus designed to carry more than 15 passengers, and it is a commercial license, not a personal one.
- You must pass a written knowledge test, a skills test behind the wheel, and a medical examination before the Texas Department of Public Safety will issue one.
- You need a valid Class C license first; you cannot jump directly to Class B without holding a regular driver license.
- The written test covers bus operation, safety procedures, and passenger management, and you can study using the Texas Commercial Driver License Manual.
- The skills test includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic control test, and an on-road driving test, all performed in an actual bus.
What You Need Before You explore
You must already hold a valid Texas Class C driver license. You cannot obtain a Class B without one. If you do not have a Class C yet, you will need to pass that test first — it covers basic driving rules and road signs for regular vehicles.
You will also need to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination performed by a certified medical examiner. This exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and overall fitness to operate a commercial vehicle. The examiner will give you a Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5875) if you pass. You must bring this certificate when you go to the Texas Department of Public Safety to take your Class B test.
Gather these documents before you schedule your test: your valid Class C license, your Social Security number, proof of Texas residency (a utility bill or lease works), and your Medical Certificate. Some testing locations may ask for additional identification.
The Written Knowledge Test
The written test for Class B has 50 questions. You must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. The test covers bus-specific topics: how to inspect a bus before driving, how to operate the air brake system, how to handle passengers safely, and what to do in an emergency.
The Texas Commercial Driver License Manual is the official study material. It is free and available on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. You can read it online or read it as a PDF. The manual has a section specifically for Class B applicants that walks through every topic the test covers.
You can take the written test at any Texas Department of Public Safety office. Most offices allow you to schedule online or walk in during business hours. The test is administered on a computer at the office, and you get your score when ready after you finish.
The Skills Test: Three Parts You Must Pass
After you pass the written test, you schedule a separate appointment for the skills test. This test has three parts, and you must pass all three on the same day. You perform the entire test in an actual bus — not a simulator or a car.
Pre-trip inspection: The examiner asks you to walk around the bus and point out safety features and potential problems. You explain what you are checking and why. This part tests whether you know how to spot a bus that is unsafe to drive. You might be asked to locate the fire extinguisher, check the tire tread, test the air brakes, or verify that mirrors are adjusted correctly.
Basic control test: You drive the bus through a course marked with cones in a closed area. You demonstrate that you can back up in a straight line, turn the bus in a tight space, and park it accurately. This part shows the examiner that you can handle the size and weight of a bus in a controlled setting.
On-road driving test: You drive the bus on public roads for 20 to 30 minutes while the examiner watches and scores your performance. You navigate traffic, make turns, stop at red lights, and handle other real-world driving situations. The examiner is looking for smooth acceleration and braking, proper use of mirrors, safe following distance, and correct signaling.
How Long the Process Takes
The written test can be scheduled within days of when you contact a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Most people take it within one to two weeks of deciding to pursue the license.
The skills test is usually scheduled two to four weeks after you pass the written test. Some offices have longer wait times during busy seasons. Once you pass all three parts of the skills test, the Texas Department of Public Safety issues your Class B license on the spot or mails it to you within a few business days, depending on the office.
The entire process — from your first visit to holding a Class B license — typically takes four to eight weeks. This timeline assumes you pass each test on your first attempt. If you do not pass, you can retake the failed portion, but you will need to schedule another appointment and wait for the next available slot.
Restrictions and What You Cannot Drive
A Class B license is valid only for buses. You cannot use it to drive a car, pickup truck, or van, even if you own one personally. If you need to drive your own vehicle, you must use your Class C license.
You also cannot drive a bus pulling a trailer, and you cannot operate a bus with air brakes if your Class B is restricted (some applicants receive a restriction if they do not pass the air brake portion of the test). If your license has an air brake restriction, you can only drive buses with hydraulic brakes.
A Class B does not allow you to transport hazardous materials. If your job requires you to haul hazardous cargo, you need a Class A license instead, plus an additional endorsement.
Renewing Your Class B License
A Class B license in Texas is valid for five years from the date it is issued. Before it expires, you must renew it. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office, depending on your situation.
If you renew in person or by mail, you will need to pass another DOT medical examination and provide an updated Medical Certificate. If you renew online, you may not need a new medical exam if your current certificate is still valid — the system will tell you what is required when you start the renewal process.
You do not have to retake the written or skills test to renew, as long as your license has not been suspended or revoked and you have not been convicted of certain traffic violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Class B license to drive a shuttle van that holds 14 passengers?
No. A Class B is required only for buses designed to carry more than 15 passengers, including the driver. A 14-passenger van falls under Class C. However, check with your employer and your state's regulations, because some employers require additional training or endorsements even for vehicles that do not legally require a commercial license.
What happens if I fail the skills test?
You can retake the failed portion. If you fail the pre-trip inspection, you retake only that part. If you fail the on-road driving test, you schedule a new appointment and take the on-road portion again. You do not have to retake the written test unless your knowledge test score has expired (usually after a set period, depending on Texas Department of Public Safety rules).
Can I take the Class B test in a bus that is not the one I will drive for work?
Yes. The examiner will use a bus provided by the testing location or an approved testing facility. It does not have to be the exact bus you will operate on the job. However, if your work bus has unusual features or controls, ask your employer or the testing facility whether you should practice in that specific vehicle before your test.
Is the medical exam expensive?
The cost varies by examiner. A DOT medical exam typically ranges from $50 to $150, but prices differ depending on where you go. Some employers cover this cost for employees. Call ahead to the medical examiner's office to ask about their fee before you schedule.
What if I have a medical condition that might affect my ability to pass the DOT exam?
Discuss it with your doctor or the medical examiner before your appointment. Some conditions require additional testing or documentation, but many do not automatically disqualify you. The examiner will let you know whether your condition prevents you from receiving a Medical Certificate or whether you can proceed with restrictions.