Transfer a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to Texas (2026)

Class C transfer advice will wreck a CDL timeline. Texas DPS treats commercial drivers as federal-regulated customers — medical cards, self-certification, endorsement tests, and shorter compliance windows matter more than the $33 passenger-car fee quote.

Before you leave the old state

• Confirm your medical examiner’s certificate is current on FMCSA registry
• Download your driving record if your employer requires proof
• Note endorsement codes (H, N, T, P, S) on the old license

Self-certification categories

At DPS you declare:

• Interstate non-excepted (most OTR drivers)
• Intrastate only
• Excepted (government, farm, etc. — rare)

Wrong self-certification invalidates commercial privileges until corrected — HR and safety departments care deeply.

Tests you may retake

Endorsement	Typical Texas requirement
General knowledge	Often if transferring from certain states
Air brakes	If marked L restriction removal needed
Hazmat (H)	TSA background + Texas written
Tanker (N), doubles (T)	Knowledge exams

Road tests in a commercial vehicle are less common on straight transfers with valid licenses, but DPS discretion applies.

Downgrading to Class C

Drivers leaving trucking sometimes drop to a passenger license. Surrender the CDL intentionally — you cannot casually “pause” federal medical requirements while holding a CDL.

Registration for personal vehicles

Your rig may be company-owned, but personal cars still hit the 30-day Texas registration rule. Keep insurance certificates in the cab and at home.

DPS and federal links

• Texas DPS — Commercial Driver License
• Texas DPS — Moving to Texas
• FMCSA — Medical Requirements