Posted in Texas Laws on September 24, 2025

In Texas, the law requires drivers to obtain special commercial driver’s licenses or CDLs to operate commercial motor vehicles. These vehicles are too large, heavy and dangerous for drivers to operate without the right training. Texas has three CDL classifications that an individual may select from based on the weight and style of the commercial vehicle.

Class A Texas Commercial Driver’s License

Texas follows the federal commercial driver’s license classification system, which breaks CDLs down into three Classes: A, B and C. A driver who has a Class A CDL in Texas is permitted to operate a commercial vehicle (or combination of vehicles) with a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater.

This maximum vehicle weight for a Class A CDL includes any towed units, which must have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds (whichever is greater). Examples of vehicles that require a Class A commercial driver’s license in Texas are 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, flatbeds carrying heavy loads and livestock carriers.

Class A is the most common type of CDL among commercial truck drivers in Texas, as this type of driver’s license can also allow an individual to drive Class B and Class C vehicles with the right endorsements. This makes it the most versatile type of CDL available.

Class B Texas Commercial Driver’s License

The second type of commercial driver’s license in Texas is a Class B CDL. This is specifically for driving a commercial vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR that is less than 10,000 pounds. Commercial vehicles that require Class B licenses are smaller and lighter than 18-wheelers, such as box trucks, delivery trucks, garbage trucks and large buses.

Class C Texas Commercial Driver’s License

The third and final CDL classification is Class C. With a Class C CDL, a Texas driver can operate any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that do not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but fulfill any of the following:

  • Is designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)
  • Is transporting any hazardous materials (hazmat)
  • Is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a “select agent or toxin”

Examples of Class C CDL vehicles in Texas include small shuttle buses, passenger vans and lighter-weight trucks carrying hazardous cargo.

Special CDL Endorsements Available in Texas

A driver with a commercial driver’s license may need to obtain additional endorsements to drive specialized vehicles or carry certain materials. The CDL endorsements available include:

  • H: transportation of hazardous materials
  • N: operation of a tank vehicle
  • P: operation of a vehicle transporting passengers
  • S: operation of a school bus
  • T: towing two or three trailers over a certain weight
  • X: operation of a combination of hazardous material and tank vehicle

A CDL in Texas can also have restriction codes placed on it that outline certain things the commercial driver cannot do, such as vehicle weight limits and passenger restrictions.

The Importance of Commercial Driver’s License Laws in Texas

Operating a commercial motor vehicle requires a different set of skills, knowledge and experience compared to a standard passenger car. These vehicles are large, heavy and have unique crash risks, such as wide turns and large blind spots. To ensure public safety, drivers in Texas must undergo specialized training and testing to ensure they have the ability to handle commercial vehicles properly and prevent trucking accidents. If you;’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle collision, the San Antonio 18-wheeler crash attorneys at Maloney & Campolo are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.