Commercial Driver License Holder License Cost in Texas
In Texas, documented CDL license fees total $97 — license $97. Always confirm the current schedule with Texas Department of Public Safety before paying.
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
CDL license cost — Texas at a glance
| Pre-license education | Varies — check the board |
| Exam fee | Varies — check the board |
| Application fee | Varies — check the board |
| License fee | $97 |
| Documented fees total | $97 |
| BLS median annual wage | $58,640 (heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers) |
Official source: Texas Department of Public Safety ↗
Fees vs. median pay
The BLS median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $58,640.The BLS median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $58,640. Documented CDL fees in Texas are $97 — about 0.2% of one year's median pay. The bigger investment is usually tuition and time.
Frequently asked questions
What does a CDL license cost in Texas?
Documented fees in Texas total $97: license $97. Pre-license education is the biggest variable cost and is set by each school, not the board.
Are the exam fee and the license fee the same thing in Texas?
No. The exam fee covers sitting for the test, while the application and license fees cover processing and issuing the credential. Each is listed separately in the table above where the state publishes it.
How much does CDL training cost in Texas?
Training-hour requirements for Texas are not published here — ask Texas Department of Public Safety for the approved programs and their costs.
Is a CDL license in Texas worth the cost?
The BLS median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $58,640, so documented fees are roughly 0.2% of one year's median pay. Earnings vary widely by state and market — treat this as a planning estimate, not a promise.
Budget your CDL licensing in Texas
Turn the fees above into a dated budget, then check what the Texas board charges on top.
Keep going — CDL in Texas
You are on the license cost angle. Here is what most people check next on the same licensing road.
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with Texas Department of Public Safety and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).