(a) An original applicant for a Texas commercial driver license (CDL) must take the signs, rules, and the appropriate Class A or Class B exams as well as any required and necessary CDL exams. A holder of a valid CDL from another state need not take the CDL exams if the out-of-state license indicates those exams were administered in that other state.
(b) Current Texas license holders will be required to take only required and necessary CDL exams, unless advancing in grade, in which case the appropriate Class A or Class B exams will be required.
(c) All CDL applicants must take and pass the CDL general knowledge exam, except those persons who currently hold a CDL from another state.
(d) Class A CDL applicants must take and pass the combination vehicle exam even though there will be no endorsement for combination vehicles. Those persons currently holding a CDL issued by another state will not be required to take this exam unless they wish to advance in grade.
(e) Applicants holding a valid CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement issued by this state or another state must take and pass the hazardous materials knowledge examination and pass a background check conducted by the appropriate federal agency at the time of issuance or renewal. The department must receive notification of no security threat from the appropriate federal agency conducting the background check within 90-days from the CDL issuance date to maintain this endorsement.
(f) Persons who do not take and pass the air brake exam will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes. Applicants holding an out-of-state CDL will be exempt from this exam unless that license indicates they are restricted to driving vehicles not equipped with air brakes.
(g) The department shall waive the CDL knowledge exams required by Texas Transportation Code, §522.022 for applicants who meet the conditions and limitations provided by 49 CFR 383.77. The Application for Military Knowledge and Skills Test Waiver must be completed by the applicant and signed by the appropriate authorized military representative. The signatures on the certification must be original signatures.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.26 adopted to be effective September 14, 2016, 41 TexReg 7117; amended to be effective May 8, 2022, 47 TexReg 2564