1st STEP: OBTAINING YOUR CLP FOR INTRASTATE AND/OR INTERSTATE:
In order to obtain your permit for a Class A and/or Class B CDL, you must complete the below Written Test in the following order:
Class A: $100.00 Written Test
- Texas Commercial Vehicle Operation – 100 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
- General Knowledge – 250 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
- Combination – 100 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
- Air Brakes – 125 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
Class A – Permits the holder to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle or vehicles towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Class B: $75.00 Written Test
- Texas Commercial Vehicle Operation – 100 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
- General Knowledge – 250 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
- Air Brakes – 125 Possible Questions / 20 Questions Administered
Class B – Permits the holder to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, any one of those vehicles towing a vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR and any vehicle designed to transport 24 passengers or more, including the driver. If the skills test is taken in a bus with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, the holder will be restricted to operating buses under 26,001 pounds GVWR.
Click the link below and complete each test in order to complete the Written Test. The test costs $100 for the Class A Written Test and $75.00 for the Class B Written Test. The tests are the exact same tests that you will see at the TXDPS. You should be able to obtain your permit in a few days or less. The Written Test is the “EXACT” same Written Test at the DPS, so you should get through the Written Test quickly.
Here is the link to the Written Test: www.fivestarcdltraining.com
What are Endorsements?
Depending on what you will be transporting, you may need one or more of the following six endorsements. An endorsement allows you to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles and transport specific items. There is additional testing required to obtain an endorsement; and in some cases, if you already have a CDL, you will be required to hold a commercial learner permit for that endorsement for at least 14 days before being able to add it to your CDL.
- Double/Triple Trailer (T endorsement)– Endorsement allows you to tow a double or triple trailer.
- Passenger (P endorsement)– Endorsement allows you to operate a vehicle that carries a specific number of passengers.
- Tank Vehicle (N endorsement)– Endorsement allows you to operate a tank vehicle. These vehicles are designed to safely transport liquid or liquified gaseous materials.
- Hazardous Materials (H)– Endorsement allows you to transport hazardous materials, such as flammable or combustible liquids, gases or explosives. You will be required to complete a comprehensive state and federal background check.
- School Bus (S)– Endorsement allows you to operate a school bus.
- Combination of N and H (X)– This combination endorsement allows you to transport hazardous materials in a tank vehicle.
Endorsement |
Knowledge Test
Required? |
Driving Test
Required? |
CLP
must be issued? |
Double/Triple Trailer (T) |
Yes |
No |
No |
Passenger (P) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tank Vehicle (N) |
Yes |
No |
No |
Hazardous Materials (H) |
Yes |
No |
No |
School Bus (S) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Combination (X) |
Yes |
No |
No |
With the exception of motorcycles; if you hold a valid CDL, you may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued, including your personal vehicle so long as all applicable restrictions and endorsements are adhered to.
CLP (COMMERCIAL LEARNER’S PERMIT)
- You must hold a valid Texas Driver License
- A CLP is not valid without your base Texas driver license and cannot be used for identification
- A CLP authorizes you to practice on public roads in a CMV with a qualified CDL license operator, 21 years of age or older who holds the same class of CDL for the vehicle you are driving, sitting next to you
- You must hold the CLP for 14 days before taking skills exams
- A CLP is valid for 180 days or when your Texas driver license expires, whichever is earliest
- A CLP can be renewed one time, up to 30 days prior to expiration, without needing to retake the knowledge exams
- A CLP is available for 18 years and older by Intrastate only. Once you turn 21. you will be eligible to transfer your license to Interstate.
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What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate?
When applying for a CDL, it will be necessary for you to understand what type of commerce you will be operating so that the correct type of license can be issued to you. You may apply for a CDL that allows for the transportation of either interstate and/or intrastate commerce. If you apply for an interstate commerce CDL, it will allow you to operate in both interstate and intrastate commerce, unless you apply for an interstate CDL specifically to operate within a certain capacity.
The definition of interstate and intrastate commerce is provided below to assist you in determining what type of commerce you will be operating in and the appropriate form you will need to certify to when applying for your CDL. You
may only certify to one form and one section.
Interstate Commerce:
Is trade, traffic or transportation:
- Within the U.S. between a place in a state and a place outside of such state or outside of the U.S.?
- Between two places in a state through another state or outside the U.S.?
Intrastate Commerce:
Is the transportation of property (a commodity) where:
- The point of origin and destination are within one state and the state line?
- An international boundary is not Crosse?