Renewing Your CDL in Texas

Renew in Person

After you've gone through all the rigmarole to get a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Texas, thankfully you won't have to worry about it again for 5 years. If you're 85 years old and over, the license will expire in 2 years.

But when your license does expire after that time, you'll need to renew it in person at a driver license office.

Unfortunately, unlike with a regular driver's license, you can't renew your CDL by mail, e-mail, phone, or any other method. Nor can you renew it while you are living outside of Texas. These tighter restrictions for CDLs are largely because of new national security regulations mandated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

More Details

For more information about the special requirements for renewing hazmat endorsements, read the federal guidelines. You may also be asked to have a completed Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F).

Renewing your CDL for another 5 years (or 2 years if you're 85 years old and up) costs $97 or $26 for 2 years. If you'd like to add any endorsements or upgrade to a higher license class, this is a good time to do it. You'll need to take the appropriate tests, which cost $11 per endorsement or upgrade.

New Federal Requirements

You must self-certify your type of vehicle operation with the Texas DPS. This means you must self-certify one of the following driving categories:

  • Non-Excepted Interstate
  • Excepted Interstate
  • Non-Excepted Intrastate
  • Excepted Intrastate

If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must, in addition to a completed self-certification application, provide the DPS with a federal medical certificate.

Questions? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website provides detailed information.

Forms

649-F
Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination
Submit this medical certification form to the Texas DPS when applying for a commercial driver's license. Must be completed by a medical professional.
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