Regardless of the state, candidates will have to take and pass a series of test modules based on the vehicle you are going to drive. For all candidates, you will have to pass a general knowledge test. From there, drivers will have to pass one or more additional test categories to get a valid license. These include:
Passenger Transport - commercial bus operation.
School Bus - school bus operation.
Air Brakes - vehicle equipped with air brakes.
Combination Vehicles - combination vehicles.
Hazardous Materials - hazard materials transportation.
Tanker Test - bulk liquid transportation
Doubles/Triples - piggyback trailer operation
Once you pass your matrix of tests, you will also have to pass a practical driving test in the vehicle you will be operating.
Along with the federal mandate, commercial licensing rules in each state have discrete requirements. In Texas, to get a Class B license you will have to meet additional criteria. These requirements include:
Pass mandatory Texas CDL license examinations.
Be 21 years old. I8 if you operate on the basis of inter-state carriage only.
A driver must hold a valid state medical certificate.
Certify that your license is not currently suspended, revoked or canceled in any state.
Aside from the preceding federal, and state knowledge tests, you will also have to display various specialized endorsements on your license, whenever you are operating a commercial vehicle. These endorsements include:
T - Double/Triple Trailers - knowledge test requirement only
P - Passenger - knowledge and practical skill requirement
N - Tank Vehicle - knowledge test requirement only
H - Hazardous Materials - knowledge test requirement only
X - Combination of Tank and Hazardous Materials - knowledge test requirement only
Each state develops its own commercial driver testing programs, which must be congruent with the 1986 federal mandate.
All knowledge tests must encompass at least 30 questions.
Candidates must score a total of 80 percent.
In the case skills testing, a candidate must complete all required items successfully.
Skills testing must taken in a representative vehicle.
States can also develop commercial third-party programs as long as:
Test materials offer the same information as the state curricula.
Third-party examiners meet the same certification requirements as state examiners.
All third-party programs must submit to state auditing on an annual basis.
State employees evaluate third-party programs annually.
In certain situations practical skills testing can be waived by the means of license "grandfathering." In this case, if a driver exhibits a good driving record (no infractions or other negative incidents) and previously passed requisite skills testing, a driver's license can be extended accordingly without undergoing new testing.