Commercial Driver License Information and Guidelines
Some Texas A&M Forest Service employees are required as part of their job to drive vehicles
that require a commercial driver license (CDL). The following CDL guidelines are provided:
I.
CDL Classes
There are three basic classes of commercial driver license:
1. Class A – five year CDL for driving any combination of vehicles with a gross
combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight
rating of the vehicle or vehicles towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. [Example: tractor
trailer rig] The following endorsements may be added to a Class A CDL:
T – double/triple trailer
P – passenger bus
N – tank vehicle
H – hazardous material (requires extra fee for criminal background check)
X – combination of N and H
S – school bus
2. Class B – five year CDL for driving a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating
of 26,001 pounds or more, any one of those vehicles towing a vehicle that does not
exceed 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, and any vehicle designed to transport 24
passengers or more, including the driver. A Class B license will be restricted to
operating buses under 26,001 pounds GVWR if the skill test is taken in a bus with a
GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds. [Examples: dump truck, passenger bus, school
bus, water tanker truck]
3. Class C – five year CDL for driving any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that
is not a Class A or Class B if the vehicle is designed to transport 16-23 passengers
(including driver) or transport hazardous chemicals that require the vehicle to be
placarded under 49 CFR, Part 172, Subpart F.
II.
CDL Fees
1. Learner’s permit for Class A, B or C CDL - $11 ($10 + $1 transaction fee). Includes
the basic requirements test at no extra charge.
2. Class A, B or C CDL - $61 ($12/yr + $1 transaction fee). Includes the following tests
at no extra charge if taken during the initial application:
a. Core tests:
General knowledge
Revised 06/03/15
Page 1
Commercial Driver License Information and Guidelines
Air brakes test
Combination vehicles test
Pre-trip vehicle inspection Test
Road test – in tractor trailer, passenger bus, water tanker, 15 passenger van
b. Additional Tests:
Passenger transport
Combination vehicles test
Hazardous materials test
Tanker test
Doubles/triples test
School bus test
3. Test fees after initial CDL application - $10/test
4. Criminal background check - $78.20 ($68.25 + $9.95 processing fee)
5. Transaction fee - $1/transaction
III. Obtaining Initial CDL
1. Learner’s Permit
a. The driver must know what type of vehicle they will be driving in order to obtain a
learner’s permit with the appropriate endorsements.
b. The driver must pay learner’s permit fee and pass the basic requirements test at
local DPS office.
c. TFS will not reimburse an employee for the learner’s permit.
2. CDL
a. The driver must complete a CDL application and pay the CDL fee at the local DPS
office.
b. The driver must pass all written and driving tests at the local DPS office. [Note: A
driver has three chances to pass each test but must pass all tests within 90 days.]
c. The driver will be required to take the driving test in the vehicle he/she plans to
drive or in a vehicle from the same class.
d. Driving tests are not required for doubles/triples or tanker trucks.
e. Upon passing all tests, the driver must obtain an original receipt and temporary
permit.
f. TFS will reimburse the difference between the cost of a regular driver license and a
CDL - $41 ($8 x 5 yrs + $1 transaction fee) after employee receives CDL.
Revised 06/03/15
Page 2
Commercial Driver License Information and Guidelines
g. DPS will credit a driver $4/yr for any unused years on his regular driver license.
This may result in the receipt amount being less than $41. If this occurs, include
the following statement on the receipt when processing reimbursement request:
“The cost of a new CDL is $61. Employee received $___ credit from DPS for
the unused years on regular driver license. As a result, employee was required
to pay DPS $___. Employee requests reimbursement for difference between
cost of regular driver license and CDL - $41.”
h. If the driver does not pass the required tests within 90 days, his/her application will
be destroyed and a new application, fee and tests will be required. TFS will not
reimburse for the CDL fees if employee doesn’t pass the required tests to receive
the CDL.
IV. CDL Renewals
1. The driver must obtain a CDL renewal from the local DPS office.
2. The driver must obtain an original receipt.
3. TFS will reimburse the difference between the cost of a regular driver license and a
CDL - $41 ($8 x 5 yrs + $1 transaction fee).
4. If an employee is required to have a physical to renew their CDL and their position
requires them to have the CDL, then TFS will reimburse the employee for their co-pay.
V.
Physicals
If an employee is required to have a physical to obtain or renew their CDL, TFS will
reimburse the employee for their co-pay.
VI. Additional Testing
If an employee has a CDL and TFS requires the employee to obtain an additional
endorsement or a higher CDL class, TFS will reimburse for the additional testing fee. If
the employee fails to pass the test, TFS will not reimburse for the testing fee.
VII. Documentation Required for Reimbursement
Employee must submit a copy of license and receipt, including additional statement as
required (see Section III.2.g), to voucher preparer to request reimbursement.
Revised 06/03/15
Page 3
Commercial Driver License Information and Guidelines
VIII. Eligibility for Reimbursement
Only budgeted employees whose position description requires them to have a CDL are
eligible for reimbursement by TFS.
Revised 06/03/15
Page 4