Austin CDL permit and skills-test guide
If you are applying for a CDL in Austin, decide what you intend to drive before you book a DPS appointment. A contractor moving a trailer on I‑35 and a delivery driver in a straight truck may need different test vehicles. Have the truck and trailer weight ratings, your permit class and your transmission preference handy when you call about practice or a test rental.
Choose the permit subjects for your vehicle
A dump truck on its own and a dump truck towing an equipment trailer may lead to different CDL decisions. Read both ratings to us before choosing a straight truck or tractor-trailer for the test.
Review Texas commercial vehicle operation and general knowledge. Add air brakes, combination vehicles, or passenger and school bus topics as your vehicle requires. Use the current Texas handbook alongside practice questions.
CLP practice topics and road-test videos · Texas DPS requirements
Prepare for inspection, backing and road
Work through the pre-trip in the order you can repeat aloud. On the backing exercises, account for the truck’s wheelbase and trailer swing. On the road, practice mirror checks and controlled turns in the type of vehicle you intend to test in.
Austin has several offices that motorists call the DMV. Choose DPS for a driver license appointment, the Travis County Tax Office on Ridgepoint Drive for vehicle registration in Travis County, or the TxDMV center on East Parmer for specialized title work. Confirm the skills-test address on your DPS appointment before arranging a truck.
Austin offices, maps and official links · Call or request dates