Texas offers CDL skills testing at exactly 29 designated DPS locations statewide — not at every DPS office. This page lists every site with its address, organized by region, with direct links to Google Maps and the DPS scheduler.
⚠ Skills Test vs Knowledge Test — Different Locations: CDL knowledge tests (Special Requirements, General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles) are taken at ANY full-service Texas DPS driver license office. CDL skills tests (pre-trip inspection, vehicle control, on-road driving) are only at the 29 sites listed on this page. These are separate appointments.
Showing all 29 locations
📌 Always verify before your appointment: DPS site addresses and CDL testing availability can change. Confirm your testing location is active by checking dps.texas.gov or calling ahead. The official DL-95 form always has the most current list of CDL skills testing sites.
All Texas DPS CDL skills tests are by appointment only — walk-ins are not accepted. Scheduling opens after you have successfully received your CLP through the DPS knowledge testing process.
Scheduling tip: Major metro locations like Houston and Dallas often have appointment waits of 2 to 4 weeks. If you need an earlier date, check smaller or less-populated locations like Cuero, Plainview, or Spring Branch — they typically have shorter waits. You are not required to test at the location closest to you.
| Item | Details | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Your CLP | Must be valid — not expired. Must have been held for at least 14 days. | Required |
| Your own CMV | Vehicle must meet class requirements. DPS does not provide test vehicles. Must pass pre-trip inspection standard. | Required |
| Licensed CDL holder | Must be at least 21 years old, hold the same class or higher CDL as the vehicle, and ride with you. This can be your CDL school instructor. | Required |
| Medical Examiner Certificate | Must be current and valid. As of April 10, 2026, paper certificates are no longer accepted — must be submitted electronically by your examiner. | Required (most drivers) |
| Proof of ELDT completion | Your CDL school submits this to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry electronically — DPS verifies online. You do not carry a paper certificate. | Required (Class A/B) |
| Vehicle registration | Current registration for the test vehicle | Required |
| Vehicle insurance | Proof of current commercial auto insurance for the test vehicle | Required |
You must verbally identify and describe the condition of 30 to 50 vehicle components in a specific sequence — demonstrating you know what to look for, where to find it, and why it matters. This is the most commonly failed portion of the Texas CDL skills test by first-time applicants. The pre-trip inspection takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
The DPS uses the AAMVA CDL Skills Test Modernization protocol at most Texas testing sites, which includes standardized checklists and scoring criteria. Practice your pre-trip until it is completely automatic — not just familiar.
Demonstrates your ability to handle a commercial vehicle in a controlled environment. Exercises include: straight-line backing, offset backing (alley dock), parallel parking, and turning maneuvers. Each exercise is scored on a point system — cone strikes and pull-ups reduce your score. Exceeding the maximum number of errors fails the exercise.
Approximately 30 to 45 minutes of actual driving in traffic conditions local to the testing site. The examiner evaluates: following distance, lane positioning, mirror usage, turning technique, speed management, intersection behavior, and overall CMV operation safety. A serious error — running a red light, causing a collision, or refusing an instruction — ends the test immediately with a fail.
Texas authorizes approved CDL schools and companies to administer the CDL skills test through the Third Party Skills Testing (TPST) program. A TPST-certified school can conduct your pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road test on their own premises — eliminating the need to schedule a separate DPS appointment for the skills test.
Benefits of TPST testing: often faster scheduling, familiar equipment, instructors who know the test format, and completing training and testing at the same location. Ask your CDL school if they hold TPST certification before enrolling — it can save significant time and scheduling hassle.
TPST providers are listed on the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov.
You cannot schedule a skills test until you have your CLP — and you cannot get your CLP without passing all required knowledge tests. Start with the Texas Special Requirements test practice.
Texas CDL Practice Tests →