The five main license classes in Texas

Texas issues five different driver's license classes, each permitting you to operate a specific category of vehicle. The class you hold determines what you're legally allowed to drive on public roads. Your age, driving record, and the type of vehicle you need to operate determine which class you need.

The state uses a letter system: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class M, and Class DJ. Each class has different requirements for testing, medical certification, and vehicle restrictions. Understanding which class matches your driving needs prevents you from holding a license that doesn't cover what you actually drive.

Key Takeaways

  • Class C is the standard passenger vehicle license most people hold, covering cars, pickup trucks, and vans under 26,001 pounds.
  • Class A and Class B are commercial licenses requiring a written test, skills test, and medical certification, with Class A covering the largest vehicles.
  • Class M is specifically for motorcycles and requires a separate endorsement or a motorcycle-only license.
  • Class DJ is a restricted license for drivers under 18 that limits when and where you can drive.
  • You can hold multiple endorsements on a single license to expand what you're permitted to drive.

Class C: The standard passenger vehicle license

Class C is what most Texas drivers hold. It permits you to operate passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and small commercial vehicles up to 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You can also tow a trailer if the trailer's GVWR doesn't exceed 10,000 pounds, or if the combined GVWR of vehicle and trailer stays under 26,001 pounds.

To obtain a Class C license, you must pass a written knowledge test, a driving skills test, and a vision screening. If you're under 18, you must also complete a driver education course and hold a learner permit for a waiting period before testing. There is no medical certification requirement for Class C.

Class C is the only license class that does not require a commercial driver's license (CDL). If you drive only personal vehicles and light trucks, this is the class you need.

Class A: Commercial license for the largest vehicles

Class A is a commercial driver's license that permits you to operate any single vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. This includes tractor-trailers, double trailers, and large tandem-axle trucks. Class A is the highest commercial license class and covers everything Class B covers, plus heavier combinations.

To obtain Class A, you must be at least 18 years old (21 if crossing state lines commercially). You must pass a written knowledge test specific to commercial driving, pass a pre-trip vehicle inspection test, and pass a behind-the-wheel driving skills test. You must also pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination and hold a valid medical certificate.

Class A requires you to renew your license every four years, and you must maintain your medical certification throughout that period. If your medical certificate expires, your Class A license becomes invalid until you renew it.

Class B: Commercial license for medium and heavy vehicles

Class B is a commercial driver's license that permits you to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, but does not permit you to tow a vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds. This covers large straight trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixers, and other heavy single vehicles. Class B does not cover tractor-trailers or double trailers.

The testing and certification requirements for Class B are identical to Class A: you must pass written knowledge, pre-trip inspection, and skills tests, plus obtain DOT medical certification. You must be at least 18 years old (21 if operating commercially across state lines).

Class B is useful if your work involves operating large single vehicles but not towing heavy trailers. Many delivery drivers, refuse truck operators, and construction equipment operators hold Class B licenses.

Class M: Motorcycle license and endorsement

Class M permits you to operate motorcycles, mopeds, and motorized bicycles. You can obtain Class M as a standalone license (motorcycle-only) or as an endorsement added to a Class C license. An endorsement means you can operate both passenger vehicles and motorcycles under a single license.

To obtain Class M or add the M endorsement, you must pass a written knowledge test covering motorcycle-specific rules and hazards, and pass a motorcycle skills test on an actual motorcycle. Texas does not require a separate medical examination for Class M. You must be at least 16 years old, though riders under 18 must complete a motorcycle safety course approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

If you hold a Class C license and want to add the M endorsement, you do not need to retake the Class C tests — only the motorcycle-specific tests. The endorsement appears on your existing license.

Class DJ: Restricted license for drivers under 18

Class DJ is a restricted license issued only to drivers under 18. It permits you to operate passenger vehicles, but with limitations on when and where you can drive. The restrictions depend on your age and how long you've held the permit.

Typically, a Class DJ license restricts driving between midnight and 5 a.m., limits the number of passengers you can carry, and prohibits use of mobile devices while driving. These restrictions ease as you age and gain driving experience. At 18, you can convert your Class DJ to a standard Class C license without retesting.

Class DJ requires you to hold a learner permit for a waiting period (usually at least six months), complete a driver education course, and pass both knowledge and skills tests before the license is issued. The restrictions are designed to reduce crash risk during the highest-risk years of driving.

Endorsements and restrictions that modify your license

Beyond the five main classes, Texas adds endorsements and restrictions to licenses based on what you drive and any medical or legal conditions. An endorsement expands what you're permitted to drive; a restriction limits it.

Common endorsements include the H endorsement (for towing air brakes), the T endorsement (for tractor-trailers), and the S endorsement (for school buses). If you drive a school bus, you must hold the S endorsement in addition to your Class A, B, or C license. If you tow a trailer with air brakes, you must hold the H endorsement.

Restrictions appear as codes on your license and might indicate you must wear corrective lenses, use hearing aids, or drive only during daylight hours. These are determined during your medical examination or based on your driving record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a pickup truck with a Class C license?

Yes. Class C covers pickup trucks up to 26,001 pounds GVWR, which includes nearly all personal-use pickup trucks. If you're towing a trailer, the combined weight of truck and trailer must stay under 26,001 pounds, or the trailer alone must weigh 10,000 pounds or less.

Do I need a commercial license to drive a large van?

Not necessarily. If the van's GVWR is 26,001 pounds or less, a Class C license is sufficient. If it exceeds 26,001 pounds, you need a Class A or Class B commercial license. Check your vehicle's registration or door placard for the GVWR.

What's the difference between Class A and Class B commercial licenses?

Class A permits you to tow a vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds (tractor-trailers, doubles). Class B does not. Both require the same tests and medical certification. Choose Class A if you'll tow heavy trailers; Class B if you operate only large single vehicles.

Can I add a motorcycle endorsement to my Class C license?

Yes. You can add the M endorsement to an existing Class C license by passing the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests. You keep your Class C privileges and gain motorcycle privileges under a single license.

What happens to my Class DJ license when I turn 18?

You can convert it to a standard Class C license. You do not need to retake the knowledge or skills test — visit a Texas Department of Public Safety office with your current license and identification to request the conversion.