What each Texas driver license class covers

Texas issues six classes of driver licenses, and each one permits you to operate different types of vehicles. The class you need depends on what you plan to drive — a regular car, a motorcycle, a truck over a certain weight, or a combination of those. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) sets the rules for which vehicles fall into each class, and you cannot legally drive a vehicle that requires a higher class than the one on your license.

Class C is the standard license most people get. It covers passenger cars, pickup trucks under 26,001 pounds, and most vehicles you see on the road. Class M is for motorcycles only. Classes A, B, and CD are commercial licenses that require additional training and testing; they cover tractor-trailers, straight trucks, and buses. Class DJ is a restricted license for drivers under 18 who have completed a driver education course.

Key Takeaways

  • Class C covers regular cars and light trucks and is what most drivers need; you can get it at age 16 with a learner permit and driver education.
  • Class M is required to ride a motorcycle and requires a separate endorsement or a motorcycle-only license.
  • Classes A and B are commercial licenses for trucks and tractor-trailers; they require a commercial driver license (CDL) process, medical certification, and a written and skills test.
  • Class CD covers straight trucks and requires a CDL but fewer restrictions than Class A or B.
  • Driving a vehicle that requires a higher class than your license shows is a criminal offense in Texas, not just a traffic violation.

Class C: The standard passenger vehicle license

Class C is the license most Texas drivers hold. It permits you to drive passenger cars, pickup trucks under 26,001 pounds, and vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 26,001 pounds. You can also tow a trailer with a Class C license as long as the combined weight does not exceed certain limits set by the vehicle manufacturer.

To get a Class C license, you must be at least 16 years old, hold a learner permit for a minimum of six months, complete a driver education course (unless you are 18 or older), and pass a written test and a driving test. The DPS administers both tests at a driver license office. If you are under 18, you will receive a Class DJ license first, which has restrictions on when you can drive and who can be in the car with you.

A Class C license is valid for eight years if you are 18 or older, or until age 18 if you received it as a minor. You renew it by mail, online, or in person at a DPS office, and renewal does not require a new driving test unless the DPS has reason to question your ability to drive safely.

Class M: Motorcycle endorsement and motorcycle-only licenses

To ride a motorcycle in Texas, you need either a Class M license or a motorcycle endorsement added to your Class C license. The difference is that a Class M license is for motorcycles only, while an endorsement lets you ride a motorcycle and also drive regular vehicles with your Class C privileges.

Most riders choose to add an endorsement to their Class C license rather than get a Class M license. To add an endorsement, you must pass a written test on motorcycle safety and rules, and a skills test on a motorcycle. You do not need to hold a learner permit for a specific time before testing. The DPS offers the skills test at approved testing locations, and some motorcycle safety courses allow you to waive the skills test if you complete their training.

A Class M license without a Class C endorsement is less common and is used by riders who do not drive regular vehicles. The testing and renewal process is the same, but your license covers only motorcycles.

Class A and B: Commercial truck and tractor-trailer licenses

Class A and Class B are commercial driver licenses (CDLs) issued by the DPS. A Class A CDL covers tractor-trailers and any combination of vehicles with a combined GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, as long as the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds. A Class B CDL covers straight trucks — single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more — but not tractor-trailers.

To get a Class A or B CDL, you must be at least 18 years old (21 if you plan to drive across state lines), pass a medical examination by a certified medical examiner, and obtain a medical certificate. You must also pass a written test specific to your class and the type of cargo you will carry, and a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection, a basic control test, and a road test in the actual vehicle you will drive.

The written test covers vehicle operation, safety, and regulations. The skills test is administered by a DPS examiner and takes several hours. You must bring your own vehicle or arrange one through a testing facility. A Class A or B CDL is valid for four years and requires renewal at a DPS office; you cannot renew by mail or online.

Class CD: Straight truck license for specific commercial use

Class CD is a commercial license for drivers who operate straight trucks — single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more — but do not drive tractor-trailers. It is less restrictive than a Class A or B CDL and is used by drivers of dump trucks, concrete mixers, and other single-unit commercial vehicles.

The requirements for a Class CD license are similar to those for Class A and B: you must be at least 18 years old, pass a medical examination, and pass a written and skills test. However, the written test is shorter and covers only the regulations specific to straight trucks. The skills test is the same format as for other CDLs.

A Class CD license is valid for four years and must be renewed in person at a DPS office. If you later decide you need to drive tractor-trailers, you can upgrade to a Class A CDL by passing the additional written and skills tests.

Class DJ: Restricted license for drivers under 18

Class DJ is a restricted license issued to drivers under 18 who have completed a driver education course. It has the same vehicle privileges as a Class C license — you can drive passenger cars and light trucks — but it comes with restrictions on when you can drive and who can be in the car with you.

With a Class DJ license, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You also cannot have passengers under 21 in the car unless they are family members or the passenger is an adult family member. These restrictions remain in place until you turn 18, at which point you can exchange your Class DJ license for a regular Class C license without retesting.

A Class DJ license is valid until you turn 18. You do not need to renew it; instead, you exchange it for a Class C license at a DPS office.

Endorsements and restrictions that modify your license class

Beyond the basic license class, the DPS can add endorsements or restrictions to your license that change what you can drive or what conditions explore to your driving. An endorsement adds privileges — for example, a motorcycle endorsement on a Class C license lets you ride motorcycles. A restriction limits your driving — for example, corrective lenses or an automatic transmission only.

Common endorsements include the motorcycle endorsement (M), hazardous materials (H), passenger (P), and tanker (N). To add an endorsement, you must pass a written test and sometimes a skills test specific to that endorsement. Restrictions are usually added based on your medical examination or the results of your driving test and do not require additional testing to add.

If you have a restriction on your license and no longer need it — for example, you had corrective lenses as a restriction but now have vision correction surgery — you can request that the DPS remove it. You may need to provide medical documentation or pass a new vision test.

Penalties for driving with the wrong license class

Driving a vehicle that requires a higher class than the one on your license is a criminal offense in Texas, not a traffic violation. If you are caught driving a commercial vehicle without the proper CDL, you can be charged with a misdemeanor, fined up to $300, and face jail time. A second offense within five years is a felony.

The penalty is the same whether you are driving a tractor-trailer without a Class A CDL or a motorcycle without a Class M endorsement. The DPS and law enforcement take these violations seriously because they are tied to public safety — drivers of large vehicles and motorcycles need specific training and testing to operate them safely.

If you are unsure whether your license class covers the vehicle you want to drive, check your license or contact the DPS. It is easier and safer to get the correct license class before you drive than to face criminal charges afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a pickup truck over 26,000 pounds with a Class C license?

No. If the truck's GVWR is over 26,001 pounds, you need a Class B CDL. The GVWR is listed on a label inside the driver's door frame. If you are unsure, check the vehicle's registration or ask the owner.

Do I need a motorcycle endorsement if I only ride a motorcycle and never drive a car?

You can get a Class M license instead of adding an endorsement to a Class C license. A Class M license covers only motorcycles, while an endorsement lets you drive both cars and motorcycles. Either way, you must pass the motorcycle written and skills tests.

What happens if I let my CDL expire?

You cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle with an expired CDL. To renew, you must visit a DPS office in person, pass a new medical examination, and pass the written test again. You may not need to retake the skills test if your CDL has not been expired for more than one year.

Can I upgrade from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL?

Yes. You can upgrade by passing the written and skills tests for a Class A CDL. You do not need to retake the medical examination if your medical certificate is still valid. The upgrade process takes a few weeks.

What is the difference between a Class A and Class B CDL?

A Class A CDL covers tractor-trailers and any combination of vehicles over 26,001 pounds combined weight. A Class B CDL covers only straight trucks over 26,001 pounds. Class A is the higher class and covers more vehicle types.