Can I Get a CDL in Texas?

Who Can Usually Get a CDL in Texas?

Set aside the fine print for a second. At a high level, you can usually get a Texas CDL if you can check these boxes:

• Be at least 18 (driving inside Texas) or 21 (driving across state lines and for a HazMat endorsement)
• Hold a valid Texas driver license
• Pass the DOT physical and carry a current medical certificate
• Pass the CDL knowledge test(s), then the skills test in the right class of vehicle
• Complete required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before the CDL skills test, or before the HazMat knowledge test if you are adding HazMat
• Not be under an active CDL disqualification or license suspension

Meeting these is what gets you the license. Schools, employers, and insurers can set their own, stricter rules on top of that — which is why two people with the same record can hear different answers. The rest of this page walks through the spots where a personal barrier tends to show up.

Age: 18, 21, Intrastate vs Interstate

At 18 you can usually get a Texas CDL and drive intrastate — routes that stay inside Texas. Interstate driving (crossing state lines) and a HazMat endorsement generally require you to be 21. A limited federal apprenticeship program has at times allowed some 18- to 20-year-olds to drive interstate under strict conditions, but availability changes, so confirm current rules with FMCSA and Texas DPS. If you are under 21, it is realistic to plan on Texas-only work to start and open up more options when you turn 21. For a deeper look at younger applicants, see can you get a CDL at 18 in Texas.

Do You Need a GED or High School Diploma?

For the license itself, no. Texas CDL licensing is based on your age, identity, medical qualification, and passing the knowledge and skills tests — not on having a diploma or GED. The catch is that the licensing rules and a school’s admissions rules are two different things. Some CDL schools or trucking employers may ask for a diploma or GED as their own policy; our guide on whether you need a GED or diploma breaks down the licensing, school, and employer rules. If you did not finish high school, do not count yourself out — ask the schools directly what they require before you decide.

Medical Card and DOT Physical Basics

You will need to pass a DOT physical and carry a valid medical certificate. Most people pass. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, vision changes, or sleep apnea are usually handled case by case — often with extra paperwork rather than an automatic no. If you are worried about a specific condition, the Texas CDL medical card guide covers what is checked and what to expect, so you know before you book the exam.

Driving Record Issues: DUI, Suspensions, Disqualifications

Your current license status matters most. If your regular driver license is suspended, or you are inside an active CDL disqualification period, you generally cannot get a CDL until that clears. A single DUI or DWI does not end your CDL hopes forever, but the timing, the offense details, and any disqualification period are decisive — and a second serious offense can trigger a lifetime CDL disqualification. The CDL disqualifications guide spells out what counts and for how long, and if a DUI specifically is your concern, getting a CDL with a DUI in Texas covers the timing and disqualification details.

Criminal Record / Felony Considerations

A felony on its own usually does not bar you from holding a Texas CDL. Where it can matter: certain offenses — for example, using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony — carry their own CDL disqualifications, and the HazMat endorsement requires a TSA background check that screens for specific crimes. Employers and insurers may also weigh a record more strictly than the licensing rules do. The honest move is to be upfront and confirm your specific situation with Texas DPS rather than guess.

Probation or Court Restrictions

Court orders can affect your license even when the CDL rules would otherwise clear you. An active suspension, an ignition-interlock requirement, an unresolved warrant, or certain child-support or court holds can keep your license from being valid — and you need a valid license to get a CDL. Before you pay for school, make sure your license is currently in good standing. If you are unsure, check with Texas DPS or the court handling your case.

What Schools and Employers May Look At

Getting the license is one gate. Getting into a school and getting hired are others, and they are often stricter:

• Schools may set their own age, payment, and admissions rules, and will require ELDT before you test.
• Employers commonly check your motor vehicle record and the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, and many set a minimum age (often 21+ or even 23+) or a minimum experience level.
• Insurers can push carriers to avoid very young or higher-risk drivers, which shapes who gets hired.

None of these are set by Texas DPS, and they vary company to company. That is exactly why it pays to ask before you commit money or time.

When to Talk to a CDL School Before You Decide

If any section above sounds like your situation, the smartest first step is to talk to a CDL school before you pay for anything. Schools handle these questions every day — age limits, records, medical paperwork, financing — and can usually tell you quickly whether they can work with you. It is a free conversation that can save you a costly wrong turn.

Frequently Asked Questions