Houston CDL permit and skills-test guide
A Houston applicant may need a tractor-trailer for a Class A test, a straight truck for local deliveries, or a bus for a passenger endorsement. Tell us the vehicle you plan to drive for work, the permit you hold, and the office on your appointment notice. That lets us discuss the right test vehicle and the range and road skills you already have.
Choose the permit subjects for your vehicle
For a Houston delivery or passenger fleet, start with the weight rating, seating capacity and brake type. Ask which straight truck or bus is appropriate for your license and endorsement.
Review Texas commercial vehicle operation and general knowledge. Add air brakes, combination vehicles, or passenger and school bus topics as your vehicle requires. Use the current Texas handbook alongside practice questions.
CLP practice topics and road-test videos · Texas DPS requirements
Prepare for inspection, backing and road
Work through the pre-trip in the order you can repeat aloud. On the backing exercises, account for the truck’s wheelbase and trailer swing. On the road, practice mirror checks and controlled turns in the type of vehicle you intend to test in.
Houston Gessner is a DPS commercial testing site on South Gessner Road. Someone registering a vehicle in Harris County instead starts with the county tax office. If your Houston mailing address falls in another county, use that county’s motor vehicle office. Bring your DPS appointment confirmation when you call about a rental so the truck can be matched to the test.
Houston offices, maps and official links · Call or request dates