Texas has six main driver's license classes, each allowing you to operate different types of vehicles

Texas divides driver's licenses into six classes: Class A, Class B, Class M, Class CD, Class CDE, and Class E. The class you hold determines what you're legally permitted to drive on Texas roads. Most people hold a Class E license, which covers standard passenger cars, pickup trucks, and vans. If you drive a motorcycle, you need a Class M. If you operate a commercial truck or bus, you need a Class CD or CDE license. The class you need depends on the vehicle's weight, how many passengers it carries, and what cargo it holds.

Your license class is printed on the front of your Texas driver's license card. If you drive a vehicle that requires a higher class than you hold, you're breaking the law and can be cited. If you're unsure which class you need, the vehicle's registration or the manufacturer's specifications will tell you the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the key number that determines your license class.

Key Takeaways

  • Class E is the standard license for cars, pickup trucks under 26,001 pounds, and vans carrying up to 15 passengers.
  • Class M is required to operate any motorcycle, including motorized bicycles above a certain engine size, and cannot be added as an endorsement to another class.
  • Class CD and CDE licenses are commercial licenses required to drive trucks over 26,001 pounds or buses carrying passengers for hire, and require passing a commercial driving test.
  • Class A and Class B are commercial licenses for specific truck combinations and single large trucks, and both require a commercial learner's permit and skills test.
  • You can hold multiple license classes at once—for example, Class E and Class M together—but each requires its own testing and fees.

Class E: The standard passenger vehicle license

A Class E license is what most Texas drivers hold. It permits you to drive a passenger car, a pickup truck, or a van. The weight limit is important: your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must not exceed 26,000 pounds. The GVWR is not what the vehicle weighs empty; it's the maximum weight it can safely carry when fully loaded, and it's listed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb or in your owner's manual.

A Class E also allows you to tow a trailer, as long as the trailer's GVWR does not exceed 9,000 pounds. If you want to tow a heavier trailer, you need a Class A or Class B commercial license. A Class E license also permits you to drive a van that carries up to 15 passengers (including yourself). If the van is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, you need a Class CD or CDE license instead.

To obtain a Class E license in Texas, you must pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs, pass a driving skills test, and pass a vision and hearing screening. If you're under 18, you must also complete a driver education course and hold a learner's permit for at least 30 days before taking the skills test.

Class M: The motorcycle license

A Class M license is required to operate any motorcycle on Texas roads. This includes standard motorcycles, cruisers, sport bikes, and motorized bicycles with engines larger than 50 cubic centimeters. A Class M cannot be added as an endorsement to another license class—it must be its own separate license. You can hold both a Class E and a Class M at the same time, but you'll pay separate fees and take separate tests for each.

To obtain a Class M license, you must pass a written test on motorcycle-specific traffic laws and safety, and you must pass a motorcycle skills test. Texas allows you to take the skills test on any street-legal motorcycle, including a borrowed one. Many riders take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, which is offered throughout Texas; passing an MSF course waives the skills test requirement and sometimes reduces your insurance cost.

If you already hold a Class E license and want to add a Class M, you do not need to retake the written test for Class E rules—only the motorcycle-specific written test and the skills test. The fees for a Class M license are separate from your Class E fees.

Class CD and CDE: Commercial licenses for trucks and buses

A Class CD license allows you to drive a single truck with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds. A Class CDE license allows you to drive a truck and trailer combination where the trailer's GVWR exceeds 9,000 pounds, or to drive a bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers. Both are commercial licenses, meaning they're intended for drivers who operate these vehicles as part of their job.

To obtain a Class CD or CDE license, you must first hold a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), which requires passing a written test on commercial driving rules and vehicle inspection. You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test. The skills test includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic control skills test, and a road test. You must pass all three components to receive your commercial license.

A Class CD or CDE license is valid for four years in Texas, compared to eight years for a Class E license. You must renew it in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, and you may be required to pass a medical examination to confirm you meet federal health standards for commercial drivers.

Class A and Class B: Commercial licenses for large truck combinations

A Class A license allows you to drive any truck and trailer combination where the trailer's GVWR exceeds 9,000 pounds. A Class B license allows you to drive a single truck with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds that is not part of a combination. Both are commercial licenses and are less common than Class CD or CDE because they cover more specialized driving situations.

The testing process for Class A and Class B is identical to Class CD and CDE: you must first obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit, hold it for at least 14 days, and then pass a three-part skills test. The difference is in what vehicles you're permitted to operate once you hold the license. A Class A license is broader and allows more vehicle combinations than a Class B.

Like Class CD and CDE licenses, Class A and Class B licenses are valid for four years and must be renewed in person at a DPS office. If you hold a Class A license, you are also permitted to operate any vehicle that requires a Class B, Class CD, or Class CDE license—Class A is the highest commercial license class in Texas.

Endorsements and restrictions that modify your license class

Your Texas driver's license may include endorsements or restrictions that modify what you can do with your license class. An endorsement adds permission—for example, the H endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle towing a trailer. A restriction limits what you can do—for example, the B restriction means you must wear corrective lenses while driving.

Common endorsements include the H (towing), the T (tractor-trailer), and the P (passenger bus). If you hold a commercial license and want to transport hazardous materials, you need the X endorsement, which requires a separate written test and a federal background check. Endorsements are added to your existing license class; they do not replace it.

Restrictions are printed on your license and are legally binding. If your license says you must wear glasses and you don't, you can be cited. Common restrictions include corrective lenses (B), automatic transmission only (E), and daylight driving only (D). Restrictions are usually imposed based on your vision test results or medical history.

How to change your license class in Texas

If you already hold a Texas driver's license and want to change to a different class, you do not need to surrender your current license. Instead, you explore for the new class as if you were a new driver. You'll need to pass the written test for that class, and if it's a commercial class, you'll need to pass the skills test as well. You'll pay a separate fee for each license class.

You can hold multiple license classes at the same time. For example, you can hold a Class E and a Class M, or a Class E and a Class CD. Each class appears on your license card, and each has its own expiration date. When you renew, you can renew all your classes at once or let one expire and keep the others active.

To change your license class, visit a Texas DPS office in person with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Bring your vehicle if you're taking a skills test. The DPS office will tell you which tests you need to pass and what the fee is for your new class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a pickup truck with a Class E license?

Yes, as long as the truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) does not exceed 26,000 pounds. Check the GVWR sticker on the inside of the driver's door jamb. Most standard pickup trucks fall under this limit. If your truck is a heavy-duty model with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds, you need a Class CD license.

Do I need a Class M license to ride a motorized bicycle?

It depends on the engine size. Motorized bicycles with engines of 50 cubic centimeters or smaller do not require a Class M license. Anything larger than 50cc requires a Class M license. Check your bike's specifications or owner's manual to confirm the engine size.

What's the difference between a Class CD and a Class A license?

A Class CD allows you to drive a single truck over 26,001 pounds. A Class A allows you to drive any truck and trailer combination where the trailer exceeds 9,000 pounds. Class A is broader and covers more vehicle types. If you hold a Class A, you can also drive vehicles requiring a Class CD.

Can I hold both a Class E and a Class M license at the same time?

Yes. You can hold multiple license classes simultaneously. Each class requires its own written test, skills test (if applicable), and fee. Both classes will appear on your license card, and each has its own expiration date.

How long does it take to get a commercial license in Texas?

You must hold a Commercial Learner's Permit for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. The written test can be taken the same day you explore for the CLP. After you pass the skills test, your commercial license is issued when ready. The total time from start to finish is usually two to four weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule your tests.