Classes of Driver Licenses

September 25, 2020

 

The class of a Texas driver license is determined by the:

  1. Type of vehicle operated on a Texas roadway
  2. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle or the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of the vehicles towed
  3. Number of passengers the vehicle can hold

Unless prohibited by the Commercial Driver License Act, the holder of a valid driver license may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes except motorcycles.

Class of Non-Commercial Driver License

Class A, B, C, and M driver licenses are issued to individuals who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license (CDL) or who are not required to obtain a CDL.

NOTE: Individuals who are exempt from obtaining a CDL may still be required to obtain a Class A or B driver license if the type of vehicle driven meets the weight requirement for a Class A or B vehicle.

Individuals who are exempt from obtaining a CDL but may need a Class A or B driver license are:

  • Operators of recreational vehicles driven for personal use
  • Some farmers who meet certain criteria
  • Operators of cotton-seed modules or cotton burrs
  • A fire-fighting or emergency vehicle operator
  • Military vehicle operators
  • Vehicles owned, leased or controlled by an air carrier

For more information on exemptions, please refer to the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook.

 
Classification Description
Class A

Authorizes an individual to drive:

  1. A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more
  2. A combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds
  3. Any Class B or C vehicle
Class B

Authorizes an individual to drive:

  1. Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more
  2. Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds
  3. A bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or more including the driver
  4. Any Class C vehicle
Class C

Authorizes an individual to drive:

  1. Single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or B
  2. Single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds
  3. Designed to transport 23 or less passengers including the driver
    Note: Vehicles rated for the transport of 16-23 passengers including the driver require a Class C CDL, unless exempt
  4. An autocycle.
Class M

Authorizes an individual to drive a motorcycle.

Class of Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Individuals who hold a valid CDL may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued, or a lesser class, including their personal vehicle. However, this does not include a motorcycle. A CLP Must be obtained and held for 14 days before making application for a CDL. Visit the commercial driver license web page for more information. 

 
Classification Description
Class A CDL

Authorizes an individual to drive any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more if the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Class B CDL

Authorizes an individual to drive any:

  1. Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more;
  2. Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pound or more that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds
  3. Vehicle designed to transport 24 passengers or more including the driver
Class C CDL

Authorizes an individual to drive any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a Class A or B if the vehicle is:

  1. Designed to transport 16 to 23 passengers including the driver
  2. Used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded