February 27, 2025 / Car Accidents

Types of Texas Driver’s Licenses

Texas offers a variety of driver’s licenses, each designed for specific purposes and subject to various restrictions. Descriptions of the most common types of Texas-issued licenses appear below.

Licenses for Young Drivers

Texas offers three distinct types of driver’s licenses for drivers under 18. These include:

Learner’s permit: A learner’s permit is for teenagers just learning to drive. Texas issues learner’s permits to learners at least 15 but under 18. Obtaining a learner\s permit requires passing a written test. Once issued, the young driver must have a licensed driver of at least 21 years old in the front seat. Obtaining a learner’s permit is the first step in the Texas Graduated Driver License (GDL) program, which gradually introduces young drivers to driving privileges.
Provisional license: A provisional license is issued to drivers under 18. It includes significant restrictions, such as no driving after midnight.
Hardship license: A hardship license is a special type of driver’s license for drivers under 16 years of age who have a special need to drive–for work, school, or caregiving on behalf of a family member.

These licenses help ensure that young drivers gain experience gradually while maintaining safety on the road.

Ordinary Licenses

Following is a list of ordinary driver’s licenses issued to adults in Texas:

Class C license: A Class C license is the most common license for non-commercial vehicles. Beware–it might still be subject to some of the restrictions listed below.
Class M (motorcycle) license: A class M license allows you to drive a motorcycle. You must pass a special test to obtain a Class M license.

These licenses serve as the foundation for most drivers in Texas, allowing individuals to operate standard passenger vehicles or motorcycles.

Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Texas offers three different types of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), depending on the size of the vehicle you seek to drive:

Class A CDL: You need this license to drive large tractor-trailers or other combination vehicles.
Class B CDL: This license allows you to drive large single vehicles like buses or dump trucks or a combination vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.
Class C CDL: This license allows you to operate vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials such as gasoline.

Each class of commercial driver’s license (CDL) comes with specific requirements and responsibilities, ensuring that drivers are properly trained to operate large or specialized vehicles safely.

Restrictions

Texas places numerous restrictions on drivers, depending on their medical condition or driving record. These include:

Restriction A (corrective lenses): This is the license Texas offers to people with vision problems who can still see well enough to drive as long as they are wearing corrective lenses.
Restriction B (adult supervision): Unlike a learner’s permit, Texas can issue this license to drivers of any age. A licensed driver who is at least 21 must sit in the front seat. Texas may impose this restriction for medical reasons or after the driver commits a driving offense.
Restriction C (daylight only): Texas issues this license to drivers who cannot see in the dark.
Restriction D (speed limit): Restriction D prevents drivers from exceeding a particular speed limit, typically 45 mph. This speed restriction could prevent the driver from driving on certain highways.
Restriction E (automatic transmission only): It’s more difficult to drive a ‘stick shift’ than to drive a car with an automatic transmission, so Texas restricts some people to automatic transmission only.
Restriction L (no air brakes): Texas forbids some of its drivers from driving cars with air brakes. You need to pass certain tests to operate air brakes.
Restriction K (valid only within the state of Texas): This restriction typically applies to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). You need to be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle across a state line.

These restrictions may be placed on any type of driver’s license or commercial driver’s license.

A conviction for DWI and certain other driving offenses can result in suspension of your driver’s license. After a certain period, you can apply for limited driving privileges under the following licenses:

Restricted occupational licenses: An occupational license allows you to drive for work, school, or household duties. If Texas has suspended your driver’s license, with or without a DWI, you’ll need a court order to drive under an occupational license during the suspension period.
Restricted interlock licenses: A restricted interlock license is for DWI offenders. It requires you to take a breathalyzer test every time you seek to drive your car, and your car won’t start if you fail the test.

DWI-related licenses provide limited driving privileges for individuals with suspended licenses due to a DWI or other serious offenses.

Think You Might Have a Traffic Accident Claim? Talk to a Texas Personal Injury Attorney

The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers is a Texas law firm that has won over $300 million in verdicts for our clients. Ironically, it is our success in court that will likely keep you out of court. Most insurance companies would rather settle out of court than deal with us at trial. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a motorcycle accident, or a truck accident, contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers. Call us at (281) 992-8633 for Help Today

Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas. Call us at (281) 612-7550.

The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
409-904-0753

The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633