Texas Class A or B License Upgrade FAQs

[TexasPSDX]

Great update.  Thank you.

[Mike83]

So I have been reading through all of these comments for several hours now.  I have already take the chapter 14 special requirements test about a month ago and have my driving test scheduled for tomorrow in New Braunfels TX.  I had a few problems when I went to take the written test at the mega center in Leon Vally TX.  They were not real familiar with what test I was supposed to be taking.  I was under the assumption that I would have to take special requirements and combination vehicles test before I could do the driving test.  They actually tried to talk me out of taking any of the tests and told me there was an exemption for RV's and I didn't need anything more than my class C license.  They finally brought in a CDL specialist and I was given the special requirements test, but not the combination vehicle test.  After reading all the comments I was lucky enough to find an appointment to try and take the combination vehicle test tomorrow before I take the driving test.  I have also read a few comments about having to take the chapter 6 air brakes test, so now I am really confused.  There are no air brakes on my truck and fifth wheel so I am not sure about that one.  Hopefully all goes well for me tomorrow.  Ill update more when I get done with all of this tomorrow.    

[podwerkz]

You might need a class A or class B or maybe a class C will do it....you haven't told us what you have, other than a truck and fifth wheel. Not all of those require a class A or B.

Depends on the weight ratings.

But there is no need to get a CDL to drive your own private RV.

Edited September 21, 2020 by podwerkz

[Mike83]

2 hours ago, Mike83 said:

So I have been reading through all of these comments for several hours now.  I have already take the chapter 14 special requirements test about a month ago and have my driving test scheduled for tomorrow in New Braunfels TX.  I had a few problems when I went to take the written test at the mega center in Leon Vally TX.  They were not real familiar with what test I was supposed to be taking.  I was under the assumption that I would have to take special requirements and combination vehicles test before I could do the driving test.  They actually tried to talk me out of taking any of the tests and told me there was an exemption for RV's and I didn't need anything more than my class C license.  They finally brought in a CDL specialist and I was given the special requirements test, but not the combination vehicle test.  After reading all the comments I was lucky enough to find an appointment to try and take the combination vehicle test tomorrow before I take the driving test.  I have also read a few comments about having to take the chapter 6 air brakes test, so now I am really confused.  There are no air brakes on my truck and fifth wheel so I am not sure about that one.  Hopefully all goes well for me tomorrow.  Ill update more when I get done with all of this tomorrow.    

 

[Mike83]

Just now, Mike83 said:

 

I know I need it.  I have a dually with a GVWR of 14,000 and a fifth wheel with a GVWR of 16750.  That will put me at 30750 well over the 26000 limit of a class C license.  So I know I need a class A, I am just confused about the appropriate written tests to take before I am eligible for the driving test.  The DPS office said I only needed the special requirements test and not the combination vehicle test. After looking at other posts on here I am pretty sure I do as other have said they had to.  I have also seen some post saying I am required to take the air brake test from section 5.  I was able to schedule another written test for tomorrow and will knock out the combination vehicle test hopefully and then hopefully make it through the driving test.  Thanks to this site I have read through a bunch of post and saw I have to take the IMPACT training as well.  Just hope they're a no more surprises for tomorrow.  I am also a little confused on what will be required of me for the pre trip inspection.  A lot of people here are saying the examiner looks over your truck and trailer rather than what I was expecting where I would have to explain everything to them.I guess I will find out tomorrow.  

[podwerkz]

Ok, yeah good luck with that...it is confusing....

[David-and-Cheryl]

14 hours ago, Mike83 said:

I know I need it.  I have a dually with a GVWR of 14,000 and a fifth wheel with a GVWR of 16750.  That will put me at 30750 well over the 26000 limit of a class C license.  So I know I need a class A, I am just confused about the appropriate written tests to take before I am eligible for the driving test.  The DPS office said I only needed the special requirements test and not the combination vehicle test. After looking at other posts on here I am pretty sure I do as other have said they had to.  I have also seen some post saying I am required to take the air brake test from section 5.  I was able to schedule another written test for tomorrow and will knock out the combination vehicle test hopefully and then hopefully make it through the driving test.  Thanks to this site I have read through a bunch of post and saw I have to take the IMPACT training as well.  Just hope they're a no more surprises for tomorrow.  I am also a little confused on what will be required of me for the pre trip inspection.  A lot of people here are saying the examiner looks over your truck and trailer rather than what I was expecting where I would have to explain everything to them.I guess I will find out tomorrow.  

Mike, unfortunately many of the DPS offices just aren't very well informed about the Class A and B Exempt written testing requirements. It sounds like you got it straightened out though. 

As far as I know, you do NOT need to take the Air Brakes test, even if your rig did have air brakes.

And on the pre-drive inspection, all the examiner will do is check your vehicle to make sure it is legal to drive--basically the same things that are checked on the annual Texas safety inspection. I think I have a mostly complete list in the original post. You do NOT have to explain any of it or have any special safety equipment on board--that's only for CDL applicants.

When you've done the Impact training, would you mind posting here a description of what it was, how long it took you to complete, and any problems you had with taking it? That's a brand-new requirement and I haven't heard from anyone yet who has done it.

Good luck on your driving test!

David

[Moktor]

I'm working through the process of trying to get my class A exempt non-CDL. I went to the Spring DPS MegaCenter and took the written test yesterday. The common theme was no one had any clue what a class A non-commercial license was, what it required,  or how to do it.

 

After consulting with a supervisor they ultimately had me take the special requirements test,  but not the combination test. The supervisor explained the process to the person handling the steps after the written test,  and told me that for the skills test I only needed to bring the truck,  and not the trailer.

So at least I have the written test out of the way.  Unfortunately in trying to schedule a skills test the only location available with a date earlier than Feb 2021 is 155 miles away (Canton). So,  not sure where I go from here at all. The temporary learner's permit they gave me expires in 60 days. 

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Moktor

[Kirk W]

9 hours ago, Moktor said:

The temporary learner's permit they gave me expires in 60 days. 

Welcome to the Escapee forums! Unfortunately with the DPS offices are still under mandate to limit exposure of both employees and the public to covid, they simply are unable to keep up with demand. When I renewed my license the employee told me that they are still losing ground on demand in most areas. 

[podwerkz]

17 hours ago, Moktor said:

 The temporary learner's permit they gave me expires in 60 days. 

That learners permit should also be covered under the automatic 60 day extension currently being granted to all CDLs and DL's.

Also, as a backup plan, you might want to see if any of the third party skills test providers can give you the test you need....I think it would be worth a shot to make a few phone calls.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/scheduleTPSTDriveTest.htm

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/cdlTPST.htm

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by podwerkz

[Carlitos]

Thanks to all who have posted on here.  I passed my written test thanks to all the info I got on here and now need to do the driving portion.  I will be driving a 45 foot Entegra Aspire but need to add a trailer over 10,000 lbs so it qualifies for the Class A I am working towards.  Eventually I plan to get a nice Stacker type trailer so the trailer weight will be closer to 15,000 lbs.  My thought is to rent a trailer with something on it to meet the weight requirement for Class A.

Does anyone know how the driving test would work for this?  I am guessing anything involving backing up is out unless I can detach the trailer for the testing but that would go against the Class A part.   Any info would be helpful so I am not driving in blind.

[Randy Reecer]

My wife and I recently bought our first class a diesel pusher. We are Texas residents and know we need to upgrade our license to the class b non cdl. We have made our appointments for both the written and skills test. Amarillo for the written, Childress for the skills. These tests are in May. All of that being said, we are having a hard time finding exactly what we need to study for this  test. The DPS web site is just about worthless for a guide. We have filled out our application and have both diligently studied the Texas Drivers license handbook, but no where in that handbook does it mention the non CDL info. I’ve looked at the cdl stuff but honestly we are,lost and need some help. So what do we study???

[David-and-Cheryl]

11 minutes ago, Randy Reecer said:

My wife and I recently bought our first class a diesel pusher. We are Texas residents and know we need to upgrade our license to the class b non cdl. We have made our appointments for both the written and skills test. Amarillo for the written, Childress for the skills. These tests are in May. All of that being said, we are having a hard time finding exactly what we need to study for this  test. The DPS web site is just about worthless for a guide. We have filled out our application and have both diligently studied the Texas Drivers license handbook, but no where in that handbook does it mention the non CDL info. I’ve looked at the cdl stuff but honestly we are,lost and need some help. So what do we study???

Randy, if you go to the very first post in this long forum thread, back on page 1, you'll find a detailed answer to that question and many more.

David

[Pdocar]

CLASS A: 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;

The gross combined weight rating is decided by the manufacturer. The GCWR of an F450 is 43,300 lbs per Ford Motor Company. The Gross vehicle weight rating of an F450 is 14,000 lbs. per Ford Motor Company. Even if your trailer is rated at 12,000 lbs., or less, you would still need a class A license.

[David-and-Cheryl]

On 3/29/2021 at 4:44 PM, Pdocar said:

CLASS A: 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;

The gross combined weight rating is decided by the manufacturer. The GCWR of an F450 is 43,300 lbs per Ford Motor Company. The Gross vehicle weight rating of an F450 is 14,000 lbs. per Ford Motor Company. Even if your trailer is rated at 12,000 lbs., or less, you would still need a class A license.

Well, that's an interesting anomaly you've spotted. Here is the exact language from the Texas Transportation Code:

Sec. 521.081.  CLASS A LICENSE.  A Class A driver's license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:
(1)  a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
(2)  a combination of vehicles that has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of any vehicle or vehicles in tow is more than 10,000 pounds.

At first glance, your interpretation seems almost right: you would need a Class A license for a combination only if at least one of the vehicles has a GCWR over 26,000 lbs and the GVWR of the towed vehicle is more than 10,000 lbs. (Note that a towed vehicle with a 10,000 lb or less GVWR would not cause the combination to need a Class A license, even if the GCWR of the tow vehicle is 26,001 lbs or more, because both conditions must be met.)

The statute refers to "a combination of vehicles that has a gross combination weight rating...". However, that's a meaningless phrase. A combination (meaning two or more vehicles) isn't given a GCWR, or any ratings at all for that matter. Specs like this are given only to an individual vehicle, like the 43,300 lbs for the F-450. 

So the question is, which of these is the phrase actually intended to mean?

1. "a combination of vehicles that has a total gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more..." (this is how we've been interpreting it), OR
2. "a combination of vehicles in which any one of the vehicles has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more..."

The second option would actually cast a wider net because it would apply to more vehicles. Take a hypothetical combination of a 2021 Ford F-250 XLT 4x4 with the 6.7L turbodiesel, SRW, and 3.31 gear ratio. That truck has a 30,000 lb. GCWR for conventional towing, and a GVWR of around 10,000 lbs. depending on the cab style. We'll have that truck tow a hypothetical trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs.

Under the first interpretation of the statute, this combination can be driven with a Class C license, because the total of the GVWRs for the two vehicles is less than 26,001 pounds. But under the second interpretation of the statute, this combination requires a Class A license, because the GCWR of the truck is more than 26,001 pounds and the trailer's GVWR is over 10,000 pounds.

I'll have to do more research to find out which of these interpretations the DPS actually uses. If I can find out anything further, I'll post it here.

EDIT: Section 522.003(17) of the Texas Transportation Code defines "gross combination weight rating" as "the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination or articulated vehicle or, if the manufacturer has not specified a value, the sum of the gross vehicle weight rating of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit or units and any load on a towed unit." Since there is no manufacturer-specified GCWR for the types of combinations we usually drive (a truck from one manufacturer towing a trailer from another), the second part of the definition would apply: the sum of the GVWR of the tow vehicle plus the GVW (actual, not rated) of the trailer. This gives us yet a third interpretation of the rule! We now have less clarity, not more.

THE ANSWER: through a former Texas law enforcement officer, I was able to get an answer to this question from a Department of Public Safety license & weight trooper with the DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service. For purposes of determining the needed license class, Texas DPS interprets Sec. 521.081(2) to mean the total of the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs) of all the vehicles in a combination. If that total is 26,001 pounds or more and any towed vehicle in the combination has a GVWR more than 10,000 pounds, a Class A license is required. (This is interpretation #1 above, and is the same as how most everyone has understood the statute.) This makes sense because each vehicle's GVWR is determined by its manufacturer and is generally placarded somewhere on the vehicle, making it easy for a LEO to obtain during a traffic stop.

The DPS trooper added that they will sometimes look up the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the towing vehicle--unlike the GVWR, the GCWR is generally not readily available on the vehicle itself--but only if they suspect that the combination actually exceeds the towing vehicle's GCWR.

Edited April 12, 2021 by David-and-Cheryl
added answer from TX DPS

[Just Bernie]

Thank you so much for this info! Navigating the Texas DPS site is pretty confusing. 

[edenjw]

David and Cheryl,

    I just completed my Class B driving skills test today.  Thank you so much for this discussion.  Without it, I would have had a much more difficult time having all the required documents and paperwork.   I did my driving test at the TDPS office on Gessner in Houston.  It was a busy site, but with the appointment system it was do-able.  Actually, driving 30 miles each way in Houston traffic was more of a challenge than the testing process.   

Thanks again,

Jon Eden

[David-and-Cheryl]

2 hours ago, edenjw said:

David and Cheryl,

    I just completed my Class B driving skills test today.  Thank you so much for this discussion.  Without it, I would have had a much more difficult time having all the required documents and paperwork.   I did my driving test at the TDPS office on Gessner in Houston.  It was a busy site, but with the appointment system it was do-able.  Actually, driving 30 miles each way in Houston traffic was more of a challenge than the testing process.   

Thanks again,

Jon Eden

Thanks, Jon, I'm glad it was helpful! Congratulations on passing your test!

David Goldstein

[Marianne45]

Has anyone made the decision to establish an LLC in Montana to register their vehicle?  Our understanding is that there would be no sales tax or Class A or B Non CDL requirement. Thanks in advance.

[Barbaraok]

1 hour ago, Marianne45 said:

Has anyone made the decision to establish an LLC in Montana to register their vehicle?  Our understanding is that there would be no sales tax or Class A or B Non CDL requirement. Thanks in advance.

Since it since this thread is about getting the Class A or Class B license it a would seem they have decided to go with Texas as their domicile.  Suggest you start a new thread to ask you question.

[Blues]

21 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Since it since this thread is about getting the Class A or Class B license it a would seem they have decided to go with Texas as their domicile.  Suggest you start a new thread to ask you question.

No need to start a new thread--there are dozens out there already, discussing it to death. 

However, it is my understanding that people who go the Montana LLC route don't domicile in Montana--they use Montana only to set up the LLC to own their RV, and if they're fulltimers, typically choose one of the Big Three for their domicile, just like most other fulltimers.

[thegats1]

Thanks for this write up.  Helped me quite a bit.  Got my Class B license.  Now I'm legal!

[Kirk W]

6 minutes ago, thegats1 said:

Now I'm legal!

Welcome to the Escapee forums!

[OneHalf]

I have a question. Maybe a few. Please be patient.

 

Ours is a converted school bus registered in VT. We did this because at the time we registered we were not converted and VT allows this type of registration. Since we have not been to VT since, it's not inspected. It also does not have a passenger seat. I drive our vehicle behind or in front when we travel. The question of whether we needed another class of license was very confusing until I read the first post of this thread. Obviously we do. The bus, I believe, has a GVWR of 32000lbs - so class B (we will never tow anything over 10k). We cannot drive the bus for the test.

Can we rent something with a GVWR over 26000lbs WITHOUT already having the license?

Anyone know how quickly appointments are being set in Paris or Garland? (I know, right)

But here's "the big one." When DH was trying to set an appointment for the knowledge test there was a question about our residence. We lived in TX for 6 years but are now "full time RVers." We have our escapees address in Livingston. It's the only address we have. It's on our driver's licenses and my husband will probably register to vote there. (I don't vote). We have maintained the storage unit we had previously in the town we used to live in because it's too dang hard to move it. We are actively searching for a place to buy to land for the winter months (in or around Livingston or anywhere in TX really but that's our focus area).So the question comes up that you have to "attest" that your address is a residential building of some sort (home, apt, etc). I don't know all the options as I didn't see the screen. This is what stopped my husband. As far as I know the Livingston address is our CURRENT LEGAL ADDRESS. We have no other to give to anyone. What do we do? If we "borrow" a friend's residential address for the form will the test center expect our DL to have that address on it and will they put the friend's address on the new license?

I hope my last question is clear and I appreciate any responses.

[OneHalf]

On 8/19/2021 at 10:58 AM, Marianne45 said:

Has anyone made the decision to establish an LLC in Montana to register their vehicle?  Our understanding is that there would be no sales tax or Class A or B Non CDL requirement. Thanks in advance.

I swear I just saw a thing about not doing this as you could be charged with tax fraud/evasion.