Get Non-Resident Commercial Driver License

Having a driver license when you are travelling around is very important as you don’t want to be caught driving without one. In case you are not a resident of Texas then department of Public Safety May issue you a:

  1. A non-resident commercial driver license if you have a valid social security number.
  2. Or a 60 day non-renewable, temporary and non-resident CDL may be issued if you do not have a social security number.

Important: An individual who is not a resident of Texas will not be eligible for endorsement of hazardous material.

For The Residents of Canada and Mexico

Residents of Canada or Mexico who have a valid Commercial Driver License have reciprocity with the United States and can use that CDL to drive commercial motor vehicles in the State of Texas. Since the residents of Canada and Mexico have reciprocity they are not eligible for a non-domicile or non-resident commercial driver license.

Issuance of Non-resident Driver License

People with a valid Social Security Number may qualify for a non-resident Commercial Driver License. However, to apply the individual must meet the following criteria:

  1. Meet all the other requirements of CDL.
  2. Should be a resident of a country where the licensing standards are not equal to the licensing and testing standards set by 49 CFR 383.
  3. Provide the following documents and the driver license office including Self-Certification Affidavit
  4. Social security number that is valid.
  5. A valid passport issued by the country of which he/she is a resident of.
  6. A temporary and valid work visa, an Authorization Document of Employment, or Form I-766; and
  7. A valid form I-94/ I-797 Arrival/Departure record or an equivalent document.
  8. Pay the fee which is $121.

Expiration

The non-resident Commercial driver license will expire on the same date as one that comes first in the following options:

  1. The date when Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record or the equivalent document expires.
  2. The date when the visa expires.

Issuance of Non-Renewable, Temporary, Non-Resident CDL

This is for people who have entered the United State legally but might have not received their social security number yet. Once the social security number is issued they must apply for a non-resident commercial driver license. To apply the individual must meet the following criteria:

  1. Meet all the other requirements of CDL.
  2. Should be a resident of a country where the licensing standards are not equal to the licensing and testing standards set by 49 CFR 383.
  3. Provide following documents and the driver license office:
  4. Social security number that is valid.
  5. A valid passport issued by the country of which he/she is a resident of.
  6. A temporary and valid work visa, an Authorization Document of Employment, or Form I-766; and
  7. A valid form I-94/ I-797 Arrival/Departure record or an equivalent document.
  8. Pay the fee which is $21.

Expiration

A temporary CDL is non-renewable and will expire on the same date as one that comes first in the following options:

  1. The date when Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record or the equivalent document expires.
  2. The date when the visa expires.
  3. On the 60th day after the temporary CDL has been issued.