CDL Requirements in Texas?

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/commerciallicense.htm

Commercial Driver License (CDL)
A commercial driver license (CDL) is a type of driver license an individual can apply for to transport interstate or intrastate commerce.

With the exception of motorcycles and mopeds, individuals who hold a valid CDL may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued, including their personal vehicle.

Any vehicle that requires an endorsement (i.e. school bus, hazardous material, etc.) may not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the CDL.

Individuals are required to have a CDL if they operate a motor vehicle:

1. With a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds,
2. Which transports quantities of hazardous materials that requires warning placards (signs), or
3. Designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.

 

Texas is different, as is California. The thing is all states respect other states requirements. So get it right in your home state.

 

In Texas, a Class A driver's license is required if the combined gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the truck and trailer is greater than 26,000 lbs and the trailer has a GVWR of greater than 10,000 lbs. It has nothing to do with the weight you are hauling. If you are over 26,000 lbs GVWR but the trailer has a GVWR or less than 10,000 lbs you can drive with a Class B license. You can get a commercial Class A or a non-commercial Class A. For a hot-shot operation it would require a commercial Class A. Most of the ranchers don't realize that they technically need a class A license to pull their gooseneck stock trailer behind their pickup because of the combined GVWR in most cases exceeds 26,000 lbs.

 

Load Star, your question was if less than 26,000 lbs. If the combined gross vehicle weight rating of your truck and trailer added together is less than 26,001 lbs or your straight truck has a GVWR of less than 26,001 lbs then you don't need anything more than a regular Class C license in Texas. If you are over then you either need a Class B or Class A (commercial or non-commercial depending on what you are doing).

Remember the GVWR is the weight of the vehicle when fully loaded to the manufacturers specifications. However, don't be surprised if you get pulled over and checked by the DPS. If you get stopped and are over 26,001 lbs loaded without a proper license then expect to have a very bad day.

 

Texas actually has a farm / ranch exemption where you don't need a class A if your trailer is not rated over 20k GVWR and the power unit is under 26k. For example you as a farmer could drive a dually with a 14k GVWR with a 20k tandem dual trailer with a class C license.

See page 10 https://www.dps.texas.gov/InternetForms/Forms/CVE-13.pdf

 

If you do not meet the class a combination weight or class b single plus tow weight you do not not need a cdl of any sort in texas,,, unless you have 16 or mor passengers AND OR any vehical is placarded for hazardous material, in that case a class C cdl would be needed.

 

Which I actually had once, a class C cdl. No kidding.