Get your CDL in Texas

Texas DPS issues commercial driver licenses. You start with a learner permit, take federally required training, then pass the driving test.

Facts from the official pages, checked October 26, 2026. Rules change: confirm on the linked page before you apply.

Ways in

An apprenticeship is a paid job with training, and your pay goes up as you learn.

1 helper job: start without experience →

See the work

What CDL drivers do all day, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.

Truck Drivers - Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Career VideoCareerOneStop · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com

Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗

The steps in Texas

Step 1Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)Start here
Step 2Entry Level Driver Training
Step 3CDL Class A or B

1
Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)
Issued by Texas DPS
Pass the knowledge and vision tests to practice with a CDL holder beside you. $25.
Requirements and costs, from Texas DPS
You need
“must hold a valid Texas Driver License” Texas DPS ↗
Exam
Texas Commercial Rules, General Knowledge, Combination (Class A Only), Air Brake (If applicable), Endorsements Texas DPS ↗
Costs
“$25” Texas DPS ↗
Keeps it
“is valid for 180 days or when your Texas driver license expires, whichever is earliest” Texas DPS ↗
Full details on Texas DPS's site ↗
2

Good to know

“Effective June 1, 2026, ... (DPS) will exclusively administer all Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge examinations in English.” Texas DPS ↗
“Currently DPS has halted all non-domiciled CDL issuance.” Texas DPS ↗

What CDL drivers earn in Texas

Where	Middle half (25th–75th)	Median
Houston	$22.51 – $30.97	$27.33
Dallas–Fort Worth	$23.60 – $35.11	$28.62
San Antonio	$22.44 – $30.55	$25.79
Austin	$22.71 – $30.83	$27.46
All of Texas	$22.44 – $31.17	$27.06

An hour, for all workers in the occupation, not by license level. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.” BLS

Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers). bls.gov/oes

Full pay details: newer and top earners →

Ways to pay for CDL driver training

Registered apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission
An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.
See CDL driver apprenticeships →
Workforce Solutions training scholarships
Texas Workforce Commission
If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.
TWC's list of approved programs ↗
Work Ethic Scholarship
the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
A scholarship for trade school programs of two years or less. You'll need a tuition bill from your school, a short video and references.
We're not connected with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Apply on their site.
Read the rules and apply ↗

Training money in Austin, Houston, DFW and San Antonio →Veteran or still serving? →

Checked Oct 2026 from each program's own site. Amounts and rules can change; their page has the final word.

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Get your CDL in Texas

Ways in

See the work

The steps in Texas

Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)

Good to know

What CDL drivers earn in Texas

Ways to pay for CDL driver training

Registered apprenticeships

Workforce Solutions training scholarships

Work Ethic Scholarship

Track your path

Get your CDL in Texas

Ways in

See the work

The steps in Texas

Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)

More certifications in this trade

Good to know

What CDL drivers earn in Texas

CDL driver training near Austin

Ways to pay for CDL driver training

Registered apprenticeships

Workforce Solutions training scholarships

Work Ethic Scholarship

Track your path

Entry Level Driver Training

CDL Class A or B

Questions & answers

CDL Driver jobs open now

More certifications in this trade

CDL driver training near Austin