What to bring with you when applying
for a Texas Commercial Driver License
This document will assist you in applying for a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL) if you currently hold
a Texas driver license. To be issued a CDL, you must first obtain a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP), you
must bring the following documentation to your local driver license office:
1. Application for a Texas Commercial Driver License
2. Proof of Identity
3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Evidence of Lawful Presence
4. Proof of Social Security Number
5. Proof of Self-Certification (CDL-4, CDL-5, or CDL-10)
6. Valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (if required)
7. Issuance Fee
This checklist will help you identify what documents in each section you will need to bring to your local driver
license office so that you may apply for a CLP. Follow the directions listed for each section, and check the
appropriate document(s) you have that you can bring with you.
Upon completing all sections, gather the documents you have checked and visit your local driver license
office to begin the application process. If you would like to get in-line at your local driver license office prior
to your arrival, simply go to our website and check in (not available at all locations):
http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/
Section 1. Proof of Identity
A. Acceptable Identification Document List. Documents must be original or a copy certified by the issuing
agency. No photocopies are accepted.
Check one document you have from this section. This will be your proof of identity.
Texas DL or ID within two years of expiration
Unexpired US passport book or passport card
US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of
Naturalization with identifiable photo (N-550, N-
560, N-561, N-570, or N-578)
Unexpired US military photo ID card for active
duty, reserve, or retired personnel
Foreign passport, visa* (valid or expired), and I-94
Unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) photo ID. Examples include:
Permanent Resident card (I-551)
Employment Authorization card “EAD” (I-766)
Advance parole document with photo (I-512 or I-512L)
I-94 stamped “Sec. 207 Refugee” with photo
Northern Mariana card (I-873)
A birth certificate or birth record issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent
agency from a US state or local government, a US territory, the District of Columbia, or a Canadian
province
For U.S. citizens born abroad, a certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of
Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State
A court order with name and date of birth indicating an official change of name and/or gender from a US
state, a US territory, the District of Columbia, or a Canadian province
DL-69 (Rev. 11/18)
Temporary receipt for a Texas DL or ID (actual
receipt)
Expired Texas DL or ID (expired more than two
yearsactual card)
DL or ID issued by another US state, US territory,
District of Columbia, or Canadian province
(unexpired or within two years of the expiration
date actual card)*
Original or certified copy of a marriage
certificate or divorce decree (US jurisdiction or
foreign jurisdiction-if not in English, a certified
translation must accompany it)
Pilot’s license (actual card)*
Concealed handgun license or License to Carry
(actual card)*
Unexpired US military dependent ID card (actual
card)
Professional license issued by Texas state
agency
Veteran’s ID or Health Identification card “VHIC”
(actual card)
School records (e.g. report cards, photo ID
cards, etc.)*
Voter registration card (actual card)*
Military records (e.g., Form DD-214)
W-2 or 1099 form
Selective Service card (actual card)
Current Texas motor vehicle registration or title
(TRC 521.144)
Any insurance policy (valid continuously for the
past two years)
ID card issued by government agency*
Current Texas boat registration or title
Hospital-issued birth record*
Medicare or Medicaid card (actual card)
Immunization records*
Unexpired foreign passport
A valid Consular document issued by a state or
national government
Tribal membership card from a federally
recognized tribe
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
parole or mandatory release certificate
Texas inmate ID card or similar form of ID
issued by TDCJ
Federal inmate ID card
Federal parole or release certificate
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB)
Social Security card (actual card)
*Document must be issued by an institution, entity or government agency from a US state, a US territory, the District of Columbia, or a
Canadian province.
.
Section 2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
If you are a United States Citizen and have already presented this documentation to the Department, you may skip
this section and proceed to Section 3. If you have a Limited-Term Texas driver license, you will be required to
present updated evidence of lawful presence. Most documents will be verified through the US Department of
Homeland Security’s SAVE Program. Verification through SAVE is often instantaneous, but when it is not, receipt of
the DL/ID may be delayed for up to 30 days.
Check one document you have from this list that contains your full legal name. This will be your proof of
U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence in the United States.
Birth certificate or birth record issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency
from a US state or local government, a US territory, or the District of Columbia
US Passport Book or Passport card
US Citizen Identification card (I-179 or I-197)
Permanent Resident card (I-551)
I-94
I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” or “Sec. 207
Refugee”
US Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
Employment Authorization Card “EAD” (I-766)
I-551 stamp in foreign passport
US Department of State Certificate of Birth Abroad
issued to US citizens born abroad (Form FS-240,
DS-1350, or FS-545)
US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of
Naturalization (N-550, N-560, N-561, N-570, or
N-578)
Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary
I-551 language and ADIT stamp
Student documents with Student Exchange and
Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number
I-20 Non-immigrant students (F-1)
DS-2019 Exchange Visitor (J-1) certificate
Non-student documents with alien number or I-94 number
Section 3. Proof of Social Security Number
You will be asked to confirm your social security number. If the number is not already a part of your driver record,
then you must provide documents to verify your social security number.
Check one document you have from this list. This will be your proof of social security.
Social Security Card
W-2
SSA-1099 Form
A non-SSA-1099 Form
Paystub containing your legal name and social security number
If you cannot provide one of the documents listed above, you must provide one of the following provided it
contains your pre-printed social security number:
Military identification (active, reserve, and dependent status)
Certificate of release or Discharge of Active Duty (DD-214)
Certified college/university transcript designating number as SSN
Health insurance card with Social Security Number
Veteran’s Administration card with Social Security Number
Pilot’s License with Social Security Number
Section 4. Proof of Self-Certification of Medical Status
You will be required to self-certify to one of the following forms and/or sections. Depending upon which you certify
to, you may need to present a valid medical examiner’s certificate.
Check one document you have from this list. This will be your self-certification of medical status.
CDL-4 Interstate Driver Certification (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is required)
CDL-5 Section A Part A. Intrastate Driver Certification (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is NOT required)
CDL-5 Section A Part B. Intrastate Driver Certification (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is required)
CDL-5 Section B. Intrastate Driver Certification (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is required)
CDL-5 Section C. Intrastate Driver Certification (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is NOT required)
CDL-10 Interstate Certification of Physical Exemption (Medical Examiner’s Certificate is NOT required)
Upon completing all sections, gather the documents you have checked and bring them to your local driver
license office to begin the issuance process. Once you have been issued a CLP and have held it for a
minimum of 14 days, you may return to complete the driving test for the issuance of your CDL. To schedule
your driving exam, please visit www.txdpsscheduler.com.