Who Needs a CDL Refresher Course?
You’re not alone if you’ve been away from commercial driving for a while. Life happens — injury, family, a different career, or just a break. CDL refresher training exists specifically for people who:
Lapsed CDL vs Active CDL — What’s the Difference?
This matters significantly because the requirements are different depending on your current license status.
| Your Situation | CDL Status | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Drove commercially, haven’t in 1–3 years | Active / current | Refresher BTW training only — no written tests |
| Drove commercially, haven’t in 3+ years | Active / current | Refresher training + may need ELDT for new job |
| CDL expired <1 year ago | Lapsed | May renew at DPS with written test only (Texas) |
| CDL expired 1–5 years ago | Lapsed | Written knowledge test + skills test + ELDT |
| CDL expired 5+ years ago | Lapsed / reverted | Full CDL application process — treated like new applicant |
In Texas, a CDL that has been expired for more than 2 years typically requires repeating the full skills test to reinstate — not just the knowledge test. Contact your local Texas DPS office to confirm your specific reinstatement requirements before enrolling in any program.
What CDL Refresher Training Covers
Unlike a full CDL school program, refresher training skips the basics you already know and focuses on what actually needs updating. A typical Texas CDL refresher course includes:
- Current FMCSA regulation updates — Rules change. ELD mandates, hours-of-service rules, and drug testing procedures may have updated since you last drove.
- Pre-trip inspection procedure — The inspection format and scoring criteria, especially if you need to retake the skills test.
- Behind-the-wheel retraining — Shifting, backing, docking, and maneuvering exercises. Usually 8–24 hours depending on how long you’ve been out.
- Road time — Highway and city driving in a commercial vehicle to rebuild confidence and instinct.
- Skills test prep — Full practice run of the CDL skills test if you need to retest.
Refresher programs do not typically require the full ELDT curriculum if your CDL is still active — that’s a significant time and cost savings versus repeating full school.
Timeline & Cost for CDL Refresher Training in Texas
Exact duration depends on how long you’ve been away from driving and what skills need the most attention. Someone who drove regularly until 18 months ago needs far less seat time than someone who hasn’t been behind the wheel in five years.
| Gap Since Last Drove | Estimated BTW Hours | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 4–8 hours | $300–$800 |
| 1–3 years | 8–16 hours | $600–$1,500 |
| 3–5 years | 16–32 hours | $1,200–$2,200 |
| 5+ years / CDL lapsed | 32–40+ hours | $1,500–$2,500+ |
ELDT Rules for Returning CDL Drivers
The FMCSA’s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule took effect in February 2022. If you received your CDL before February 7, 2022 and your license is still active, you are generally exempt from ELDT for renewal purposes. However:
- If your CDL lapsed and you need to retest for your skills test, ELDT is required before taking the test
- If you’re adding a new class (e.g., upgrading from Class B to Class A), ELDT is required for the new class
- If you’re adding a Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus endorsement for the first time, ELDT is required
- ELDT knowledge training can be completed online through any FMCSA-registered provider
If your CDL is still current and active, you can typically enroll in a private refresher program without completing ELDT again. Your credentials are valid — you just need behind-the-wheel practice and a possible employer confidence check.
Finding CDL Refresher Programs in Texas
CDL refresher programs are not as widely advertised as full CDL schools — but most Texas CDL schools offer them. Here’s how to find one:
Contact CDL Schools Directly
Most private CDL schools in Texas offer custom hourly BTW training for returning drivers. They won’t always list it on their website under “refresher” — call and ask specifically about behind-the-wheel only programs or returning driver training. Schools in the DFW metro, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin all have programs available.
Use Our Matching Service
Submit your information through the form on this page. We’ll connect you with Texas CDL schools that offer targeted refresher training — and they’ll reach out to you with specifics on hours, cost, and scheduling. Tell them you’re a returning driver — many schools will customize a program around your specific situation.
Ask About Employer Orientation Programs
Some large carriers run their own paid orientation and retraining programs for drivers returning from a gap. If you’re actively job-seeking, it’s worth applying directly to carriers and asking about their driver onboarding programs — some include BTW retraining at no cost in exchange for an employment commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it depends on how long you’ve been out and the employer. Many carriers have a gap threshold — typically 12 to 24 months — after which they require refresher training before hiring. Some carriers will put you through their own orientation program. The key is to be upfront about your gap and have recent BTW training documented.
The process depends on how long it’s been expired. Texas DPS may allow renewal with just a knowledge test if expired under 2 years. If expired longer, you typically must retest for the skills test and complete ELDT training. Contact your local Texas DPS office directly — requirements are specific to your situation and how long your CDL has been inactive.
ELDT is required only if you need to retake the CDL skills test (meaning your CDL lapsed) or if you’re adding a new license class or endorsement. If your CDL is current and active, you do not need to complete ELDT again for a refresher — you just need the behind-the-wheel training itself.
Most refresher programs run 1 to 5 days depending on your specific situation and how long you’ve been away from driving. Drivers returning after 1–2 years often need just 1–2 days of focused BTW time. Drivers returning after 5+ years may need a full week or a structured program closer to 40 hours of training.
If your CDL from another state is current and active, you can typically transfer it to a Texas CDL through Texas DPS without retesting. If it was lapsed, you would follow Texas’s reinstatement process. Refresher training is separate from the transfer process and is generally your choice — though employers may require it regardless of your license status.