Yes, the Texas CDL exam is English only: since June 1, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) gives every CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) knowledge test in English only, and interpreters are not allowed. Before that date the knowledge tests were also offered in Spanish. The skills test was already English-only and did not change.
Quick answer
DPS announced the change on June 1, 2026 (dps.texas.gov), and it applies to anyone scheduled for a CDL or CLP knowledge test on or after that date. DPS says the move lines Texas up with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) English language proficiency requirements. If English is not your first language, plan extra study time with the English version of the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver's Handbook, which DPS offers free.
What the Texas CDL exam English-only rule changes
| Item | Before June 1, 2026 | From June 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| CDL and CLP knowledge tests | English or Spanish | English only |
| Interpreters | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Skills test (pre-trip, basic control, road test) | English only | English only (no change) |
| Study handbook | Free on dps.texas.gov | Free on dps.texas.gov |
Texas CDL English language rules enforcement
The rule does not stop at the test. DPS says its troopers and certified inspectors keep checking English language proficiency during traffic stops and at weigh stations, and drivers who do not pass are placed out of service. That follows the federal rule in 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), which requires commercial drivers to read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, answer officials and fill out reports.
Is this a national rule?
Not yet in final form, as far as we can confirm. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced English-only CDL testing on February 21, 2026, but the announcement we read gave no effective date. The federal testing regulation on ecfr.gov, as checked in October 2026, still lets states give knowledge tests in another language as long as no interpreter is used. Texas chose English-only on its own schedule. Check FMCSA (fmcsa.dot.gov) for updates.
Am I eligible for a CDL in Texas? Step-by-step
- Hold a Texas driver licenseDPS also asks for proof of Social Security number, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, identity and Texas residency. DPS has halted non-domiciled CDL and CLP issuance, so check its site if that category applies to you.
- Meet the age rule18 to drive commercial vehicles within Texas. 21 to drive between states or haul hazmat.
- Get a medical examiner's certificateYour examiner must be on the FMCSA National Registry. Since June 23, 2025, the registry sends your certificate to DPS, so you do not submit it yourself.
- Pass the knowledge tests in EnglishThis gets you a Texas CLP, valid 180 days and renewable once without retesting.
- Complete ELDT and wait 14 daysEntry-level driver training must come from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. You must hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test.
- Pass the skills testPre-trip inspection, basic control skills and road test, all in English.
Which knowledge tests you need in Texas
DPS lists the knowledge tests in this order:
- Texas Commercial Rules.
- General Knowledge.
- Combination Vehicles (Class A only).
- Air Brakes.
- Any endorsements you want, such as passenger, school bus, tank, doubles and triples or hazmat.
Federal rules require at least 80 percent on each knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). DPS does not post a question count for each test on the pages we checked, so study every section of the handbook.
Costs and timeline in Texas
| Item | Fee (DPS fee page, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Commercial learner permit (CLP) | $25, expires 180 days from issue |
| CLP renewal | $25 |
| New CDL, ages 18 to 84 | $97, expires in 8 years |
| New CDL with hazmat endorsement | $61, expires in 5 years |
| Replacement CDL or CLP | $11 |
DPS fees include a $1 administrative fee that is not charged on mail transactions. The shortest possible timeline is the knowledge tests, then 14 days on the CLP while you finish training, then the skills test. Appointment waits and your school's schedule usually set the real pace.
How to study when English is your second language
- Download the English Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver's Handbook from dps.texas.gov.
- Make a word list of truck terms you do not know (slack adjuster, governor, glad hands, jackknife) and learn them in English, not by translating each time.
- Study general knowledge first, then air brakes. Air brakes is the section our students find hardest because of its numbers and parts.
- Take practice tests in English and read every explanation, even for questions you got right.
- Practice saying the pre-trip inspection out loud in English, since the examiner will listen for it on the skills test.
Read each question twice and look for words like not, except, minimum and maximum. In a second language, those small words cause most wrong answers.
FAQ
Can you get a CDL if you don't speak English?
No. Federal rules require commercial drivers to read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand signs and answer officials. In Texas, all CDL and CLP knowledge tests have been English-only since June 1, 2026.
When did the Texas CDL test become English only?
June 1, 2026, for anyone scheduled for a knowledge test on or after that date, according to DPS.
Can I bring an interpreter to the Texas CDL test?
No. Interpreters are not allowed for the knowledge or skills tests.
Is the regular Texas driver license test also English only?
This DPS announcement covers CDL and CLP knowledge tests. Check dps.texas.gov for the current rules on the regular Class C test.
Am I eligible for a CDL in Texas?
You need a Texas driver license, proof of identity, Social Security number, lawful presence and Texas residency, a medical certificate, and you must be 18 (21 for interstate or hazmat).
Rules are changing quickly in 2026. Confirm the current policy with the Texas Department of Public Safety before you test. DMVZone is a study resource, not a government agency.
