Texas classifies driver’s licenses as either commercial or non-commercial. Most motorists will get a Class C license, which is a non-commercial license you use to drive your car or pickup truck to work or school. However, the classification scheme is complicated, and some people might need a different license.
Texas classifies licenses according to the type and weight of the vehicle, as well as the number of passengers. If you intend to drive a vehicle that is unusually heavy, then you’ll need a different license than your Class C.
Below, we take a close look at Class C licenses, as well as other driver licenses in Texas. Understanding the types of driver’s licenses in Texas matters not just for everyday drivers, but also for truck driver professionals who operate large commercial vehicles on Texas roads. Contact The Stano Law Firm if you have questions about motor vehicle licenses.
What is a Class C Driver’s License?
This is a non-commercial license. With a Class C license, you can drive:
- A single vehicle or combination of vehicles which are not included in Class A or B;
- A single vehicle which does not weigh more than 26,000 pounds that tows a farm trailer weighing 20,000 pounds or less;
- A vehicle designed to transport no more than 23 people (including the driver); or
- An autocycle.
Most people driving a passenger sedan, SUV, or pickup truck will get a Class C license. These vehicles should certainly weigh less than 26,000 pounds, so you do not need a Class A or B license. The Class C license is sufficient. Indeed, this is by far the most popular license in the state.
However, you can also drive a small van with this license. That might be something you want to do, if you are transporting your child’s soccer team somewhere, for example. The van cannot seat more than 23 people.
Other Non-Commercial Licenses
Texas also offers the following non-commercial licenses:
Class A (Non-Commercial)
You can use this license to drive heavier vehicles than a Class C license allows. With a Class A license, you can drive:
- A single vehicle which weighs 26,001 or more pounds;
- A combination of vehicles which weigh 26,001 or more, provided the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds; or
- Any Class B or C vehicle.
Class B (Non-Commercial)
This license authorizes you to drive:
- Any single vehicle weighing 26,001 or more pounds;
- Single vehicle which weighs 26,001 or more, which tows a vehicle which does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a weight not exceeding 20,000 pounds;
- A bus which seats at least 24 passengers (including the driver); or
- Any Class C vehicle.
A major difference between Class A and B is the ability to drive a bus with a Class B license.
Class M License (Non-Commercial)
This is a license to ride a motorcycle legally in Texas. Anyone 18 or older will need to meet the REAL ID requirements and complete a state-approved motorcycle course.
If you are between 15 and 17, then you will need to present the following:
- Complete a motorcycle safety course (MSB-8 or MSB-8R) and submit a completion certificate;
- Have a Class C learner license or complete the classroom portion of driver’s education (32 hours);
- Obtain permission from parent or legal guardian;
- Provide a high school diploma, GED, or Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form;
- Pass a practical riding skills test.
Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety if you want more information about how to get a Class M license.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL)
If you intend to operate a commercial vehicle, then you will need a CDL. Texas offers three commercial driver’s licenses. You can also use them to drive your personal vehicle, but not a motorcycle. You’ll need a Class M license to ride a motorcycle.
A CDL is required for anyone who operates a commercial truck, semi-truck, or big rig professionally. A truck driver who gets behind the wheel of a large commercial truck without the proper CDL is breaking the law. This is true whether they are hauling freight in Houston, TX, or anywhere else in the state.
Class A CDL
With this license, you are legally allowed to drive any combination of vehicles which weigh 26,001 pounds or more if the vehicle towed weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
Class B CDL
You can use this license to drive:
- Any single vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more;
- Any single vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more that tows a vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or less;
- Vehicle which is designed to transport at least 24 passengers, including the driver.
Class C CDL
You can use this license to drive any vehicle or combination that don’t qualify as Class A or B vehicles if it is:
- Designed to transport 16-23 passengers (including the driver);
- Used to transport hazardous materials that require a vehicle to be placarded.
The Class C commercial driver’s license is different from a Class C non-commercial license. You should get a CDL if you intend to drive a commercial vehicle.
Remember: you might need more than one endorsement, depending on the vehicle you will be driving.
Driving with the Wrong License: Does it Impact Your Case?
At The Stano Law Firm, we help accident victims bring injury claims for compensation. Often, issues arise when one driver does not have the proper license and gets into an accident. For example, a motorist who hit you could have been driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL, or they drove a vehicle weighing 30,000 pounds with only their Class C non-commercial license.
In these situations, a driver was breaking the law by not having the proper license. They are also likely negligent. Larger and heavier vehicles are harder to handle, so the driver could have made some mistake which caused the accident. A person with a regular, non-commercial Class C license does not have the experience to drive a much heavier vehicle.
We can raise the issue of driving without proper authorization as part of a personal injury case. This fact might strengthen your claim that you deserve compensation. We might even file a lawsuit against the defendant for compensation in court.
When a truck crash happens because a driver lacked the right license, the trucking company may also share responsibility. A Houston truck accident attorney can investigate whether the trucking company hired unqualified drivers or failed to verify their credentials. These are details that can directly affect the outcome of truck accident claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driver Licenses and Truck Accidents in Texas
What type of license does a truck driver need in Texas?
A truck driver in Texas who operates a semi-truck, big rig, or other large commercial truck generally needs a Class A CDL. This is because those vehicles, along with what they tow, typically weigh more than 26,001 pounds. Driving a commercial truck without the proper CDL is illegal and puts everyone on the road at risk. If a truck driver caused your accident without the correct license, an experienced truck accident attorney can use that fact to support your case.
What happens if a truck driver causes an accident without the right license?
When a truck driver causes a truck crash without holding the correct CDL, it can strengthen a truck accident case significantly. The driver was breaking the law, and the trucking company may have been negligent in allowing them to drive. Truck accident victims in this situation may be able to recover lost wages, medical expenses, medical bills, and other damages. In some cases, punitive damages may also apply when the behavior was especially reckless. Speak with a Houston truck accident lawyer to learn more about your options.
Who is responsible when a commercial truck causes an accident?
Responsibility in a truck accident can fall on more than one party. The truck driver may be at fault for distracted driving, drunk driving, or driver fatigue. The trucking company could also be liable if it pushed the driver to skip rest breaks or failed to maintain the vehicle. The insurance company for the trucking company will typically get involved quickly after a truck crash, often trying to limit what they pay out. Having a Houston truck accident attorney on your side helps level the playing field.
Can passenger vehicles be at fault in a truck accident?
Yes, sometimes the driver of a smaller passenger vehicle contributes to a truck accident. However, because large commercial vehicles are so much heavier than passenger vehicles, it is often the truck that causes the most serious harm. Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones are common when passenger vehicles are involved in a truck crash. These injuries can be life-changing, which is why maximum compensation matters so much.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer at Our Firm
Accident victims benefit from the experience of a car accident attorney when trying to negotiate a settlement. Our law firm has a track record of standing up for people hurt by large trucks and commercial vehicles across Houston, TX. Whether you need a personal injury lawyer for a car accident or a Houston truck accident lawyer for a serious truck crash, we are here to help. Call The Stano Law Firm with questions.
Our Houston truck accident attorneys offer a free consultation with no upfront costs and no obligation. We handle truck accident cases and personal injury claims on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. You can schedule a complimentary consultation without any risk or obligation. Our goal is to make the injury claims process easy for our clients to understand.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a Houston truck accident, do not wait. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney at our law firm today. We will review your truck accident case, explain your legal options, and work hard to help you drive safely forward after a devastating crash.