Texas uses five main license classes based on what you drive

Texas issues five classes of driver's licenses: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class M, and Class DJ. Each class permits you to operate specific types of vehicles. The class you need depends entirely on what you will be driving — not your age, not your job title, but the vehicle itself. Most people in Texas hold a Class C license, which covers standard passenger cars, pickup trucks, and vans under 26,001 pounds.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assigns your class based on the vehicle type listed on your process and what you declare you will drive. If you drive a vehicle heavier than your license class permits, you are operating outside the law, and the vehicle's owner can face fines. Getting the right class from the start saves you from having to return to DPS later.

Key Takeaways

  • Class C is the standard license for cars, small trucks, and vans under 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
  • Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 pounds GVWR, such as large dump trucks or cement mixers, and requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) written test.
  • Class A is required to tow trailers weighing more than 10,000 pounds or to operate any combination of vehicles totaling over 26,001 pounds, and requires CDL testing.
  • Class M is for motorcycles only and requires a separate endorsement or a Motorcycle Safety Course completion certificate.
  • Class DJ is for drivers under 18 and has restrictions on vehicle type, passengers, and driving hours that expire at age 18.

Class C: The standard license for most drivers

A Class C license allows you to drive any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less. This covers nearly all personal vehicles: sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and small commercial vehicles like delivery vans. If the vehicle's registration shows a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or under, Class C is what you need.

Class C does not permit you to tow a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds. If you want to tow a boat, camper, or utility trailer heavier than that, you must upgrade to Class A. Class C also does not cover any vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds, even if you only drive it occasionally.

To obtain a Class C license in Texas, you must pass a written knowledge test, a driving skills test, and a vision screening. If you are renewing an existing Class C license, you may be able to renew by mail or online without retesting, depending on your age and whether your license is still valid.

Class A and Class B: Commercial licenses requiring CDL testing

Class A and Class B are commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and require more extensive testing than Class C. You must pass a written CDL knowledge test specific to your class, a skills test, and a medical examination. Both classes require you to obtain a CDL permit before scheduling your skills test.

Class A covers any combination of vehicles where the towed unit weighs more than 10,000 pounds, or where the total combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds. This includes tractor-trailers, large RVs towing trailers, and pickup trucks towing heavy equipment. Class A is the highest commercial class and permits you to operate any vehicle that Class B can operate, plus heavier combinations.

Class B covers a single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds that is not towing anything, or towing a trailer under 10,000 pounds. Examples include dump trucks, cement mixers, large delivery trucks, and school buses. Class B does not permit you to tow a trailer heavier than 10,000 pounds.

Both Class A and Class B require a medical certificate from a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-certified medical examiner. You must pass this exam before DPS will issue your CDL. The exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and other health factors. Some medical conditions may disqualify you from holding a CDL.

Class M: Motorcycles and motorized bicycles

Class M is required to operate a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or moped on Texas roads. You cannot ride a motorcycle with a Class C license, even if you have driven cars for decades. Class M is a separate endorsement that requires its own testing and skills demonstration.

To obtain Class M, you have two paths. The first is to pass the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSC) offered by the Texas Safety Course Program. Completion of an approved MSC course waives the written and riding skills tests at DPS. The second path is to pass the motorcycle written test and the riding skills test at DPS without taking the course.

If you hold a valid Class C license and want to add Class M, you do not need to retake the Class C test. You only test for the motorcycle portion. If you are explore for your first license and want both Class C and Class M, you will test for both, but you can do this in a single DPS visit.

Class DJ: Restricted license for drivers under 18

Class DJ is a restricted license issued to drivers under 18 years old in Texas. It covers the same vehicles as Class C but with significant restrictions on who can ride with you, when you can drive, and what you can do while driving. These restrictions are built into the license itself and are enforced by law enforcement.

Class DJ restrictions include a curfew (you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. except for work, school, or emergencies), limits on passengers (no more than one passenger under 21 unless a parent or guardian is present), and a ban on using a cell phone while driving, even hands-free. You also cannot tow anything with a Class DJ license.

At age 18, your Class DJ license automatically converts to a Class C license, and all restrictions are lifted. You do not need to visit DPS or pay a fee for this conversion. However, if you want to renew your license before age 18, you will receive another Class DJ license with the same restrictions.

Endorsements and restrictions that modify your class

Your license class can be modified by endorsements (permissions to do additional things) and restrictions (limitations on what you can do). Endorsements are marked with letters on your license: H for hazmat, N for tank vehicles, P for passenger vehicles, S for school buses, T for double/triple trailers, and X for hazmat and tank vehicles combined.

Restrictions are marked with numbers and letters: B means corrective lenses required, D means automatic transmission only, E means no air brakes, and others. If you have a restriction, you must follow it or you are driving illegally. For example, if you have restriction E and you drive a vehicle with air brakes, you are in violation even if you are otherwise licensed for that vehicle type.

Endorsements require additional testing and, in some cases, additional medical certification. If your job requires you to haul hazmat or passengers, you must obtain the correct endorsement before doing so. You cannot legally perform those duties with only your base class license.

How to determine which class you need before explore

Before you visit DPS, look up your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This number is printed on a label inside the driver's door jamb or on the vehicle's registration. If the GVWR is 26,000 pounds or less and you are not towing anything heavier than 10,000 pounds, you need Class C. If you are towing something heavier, or if your vehicle's GVWR exceeds 26,000 pounds, you need Class A or Class B.

If you are under 18, you will receive Class DJ regardless of the vehicle type, but the restrictions will explore. If you ride a motorcycle, you need Class M in addition to or instead of Class C, depending on whether you also drive cars.

Write down your vehicle's GVWR and the type of vehicle before you go to DPS. Bring your vehicle registration or title with you. DPS staff can help you confirm which class you need, but having this information ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance of being issued the wrong class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my friend's truck with my Class C license if it weighs more than 26,000 pounds?

No. If the truck's GVWR exceeds 26,000 pounds, you must hold a Class A or Class B CDL to drive it legally. Driving it with only a Class C license is a violation, and both you and the vehicle's owner can face fines. The vehicle's weight is what matters, not how often you drive it or whether you are being paid.

Do I need Class A if I tow a small trailer with my pickup truck?

Only if the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds. If your trailer weighs 10,000 pounds or less, Class C is sufficient. Check your trailer's dry weight and add the weight of cargo you plan to carry. If the total exceeds 10,000 pounds, you need Class A.

Can I take the Motorcycle Safety Course instead of the DPS riding test for Class M?

Yes. Completion of an approved Texas Safety Course Program motorcycle course waives both the written test and the riding skills test at DPS. You still must bring your course completion certificate to DPS and pay the license fee, but you will not test. Many people choose the course because it teaches safety skills in addition to meeting the legal requirement.

What happens if I get a Class C license but later need to drive a Class B vehicle for work?

You must return to DPS and upgrade your license to Class B. This requires passing the CDL written test, the skills test, and a medical examination. You cannot legally drive the Class B vehicle with a Class C license, even temporarily. Plan ahead if your job may require a different class.

Does my Class DJ license automatically become Class C at age 18?

Yes. Your license converts automatically at age 18, and all restrictions are removed. You do not need to visit DPS or pay a fee. However, if your license expires before you turn 18, you must renew it before the expiration date, and you will receive another Class DJ license with restrictions until you turn 18.