Class A Exempt (Non-Commercial) Driver License Test in DFW Area
David and Cheryl said
04:51 PM Oct 13, 2016
Has anyone taken the Class A Exempt (Non-Commercial) driving test in the Dallas area? If so, where did you take it and how did you schedule your appointment?
I am trying to find out which TX DPS offices in our area offer this test. DPS doesn't indicate it on their website. Someone told me that only the Dallas South office does these, but I can't confirm that online. I'd like to find out about getting an appointment before hauling our rig all the way down there (about 50 miles from where we're staying), because I assume you can't just walk in and get this specialized test anytime you want. Their online scheduling says that the first available online reservation is in late December (!), but we're leaving the area in three weeks.
I've called the DPS Customer Service Center in Austin, but trying to get a human on the phone is nearly impossible. I'm frustrated because I'm really trying to "do the right thing" by getting the Class A license, but they make it nearly impossible to figure out how to comply.
David and Cheryl said
05:19 PM Oct 13, 2016
Well, never mind. After wading through numerous phone menus and a 25 minute hold time, I finally got to a live person. Here are the answers, in case anyone is interested.
As of July 1, 2016, Texas has consolidated its commercial license skills testing to 25 locations around the state. The list of those offices is here: www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-95pg2.pdf. Even though the Class A Exempt license is not technically a CDL, the road test is still administered by CDL examiners at one of these 25 offices. There is only one of these offices in Dallas, the Dallas South Mega Center.
You cannot schedule the skills (driving) test online, nor can you just walk in. You have to email the office at which you want to take the test, and request an appointment. I don't know where to find those email addresses online, but the customer service center gave me the email for the Dallas South Mega Center: 1A_dallassouthCDLtest@dps.texas.gov. They could not tell me how far out that office is scheduling. (I'll update this post when I get a reply from them.)
You can, however, take the knowledge (written) test at any Texas driver license office, and you must pass it before you take the skills test. You must pass the skills test within 90 days of passing the knowledge test, or you have to take the knowledge test again.
RonC said
07:05 PM Oct 13, 2016
David, I recently went thru the process you are going thru. I began about three months ago with the written, then waited 28 days for my skills test. I took both of my tests in San Antonio. I think when Texas "consolidated" their CDL testing facilities they created a big time choke point. As time goes along I suspect that the wait time for the skills test will get longer and longer. Unfortunately, you might have to plan your travels around test availability dates. Don't you just love how well "government" runs things?
David and Cheryl said
07:57 AM Oct 14, 2016
Ron, did you take your driving test after July 1, after the requirements changed? If so, what parking and backing-up maneuvers did you have to do? The new federal CDL requirements include not just parallel parking and backing up 60' in a straight line, but also backing up into an offset space. I would never attempt any of these without my wife outside on a walkie-talkie, but I've also heard you're not allowed to use a spotter during the test.
Barbaraok said
08:40 AM Oct 14, 2016
Might I suggest that if you are in Texas, you go over to the Escapees forum and ask questions - you will get the best current information on what is going on since the Texas regulations affect Escapees more than anyone else. From my perspective the best place to get the test done is NOT in a major city. Livingston is probably the best place for an RVer to take the tests because they see so many RVers during the course of the year.
Barb
David and Cheryl said
09:06 AM Oct 14, 2016
Thanks Barb - good idea on the Escapees forum.
We're headed west when we leave Dallas, so hoping not to have to go to Livingston, but it's an option.
RonC said
10:10 AM Oct 14, 2016
Since Barb jumped in I'll just add a little. First, I think she's right in that you would probably have the most predictable experience in Livingston. I did take my test about a month ago, so, yes, after July 1st. I say that you would have the most predictable experience in Livingston because I have a strong sense that the examiners around the state have a lot of flexibility with regard to what they do/don't test you on. My test involved zero backing or parallel parking. We just ran a normal CDL route which included right and left turns, approach to stop signs and stop lights, school zones, city streets and highway merge and exit ... using appropriate signals and of mirror use and lane discipline. I fully expected to be asked to demonstrate my backing skills and even parallel parking (none of which would have been a problem as I can do all that and actually had practiced a bit), as there was an area that was coned off to do just that. However, when we got back from our drive, she said nothing about any of that. I know that others have had a different experience and had to do other things. That is why I say that you will have the most predictable testing experience in Livingston. My experience was surprisingly straight forward, but I may just have caught the right examiner at the right time.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 14th of October 2016 04:13:11 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 14th of October 2016 09:12:35 PM
Has anyone taken the Class A Exempt (Non-Commercial) driving test in the Dallas area? If so, where did you take it and how did you schedule your appointment?
I am trying to find out which TX DPS offices in our area offer this test. DPS doesn't indicate it on their website. Someone told me that only the Dallas South office does these, but I can't confirm that online. I'd like to find out about getting an appointment before hauling our rig all the way down there (about 50 miles from where we're staying), because I assume you can't just walk in and get this specialized test anytime you want. Their online scheduling says that the first available online reservation is in late December (!), but we're leaving the area in three weeks.
I've called the DPS Customer Service Center in Austin, but trying to get a human on the phone is nearly impossible. I'm frustrated because I'm really trying to "do the right thing" by getting the Class A license, but they make it nearly impossible to figure out how to comply.
As of July 1, 2016, Texas has consolidated its commercial license skills testing to 25 locations around the state. The list of those offices is here: www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-95pg2.pdf. Even though the Class A Exempt license is not technically a CDL, the road test is still administered by CDL examiners at one of these 25 offices. There is only one of these offices in Dallas, the Dallas South Mega Center.
You cannot schedule the skills (driving) test online, nor can you just walk in. You have to email the office at which you want to take the test, and request an appointment. I don't know where to find those email addresses online, but the customer service center gave me the email for the Dallas South Mega Center: 1A_dallassouthCDLtest@dps.texas.gov. They could not tell me how far out that office is scheduling. (I'll update this post when I get a reply from them.)
You can, however, take the knowledge (written) test at any Texas driver license office, and you must pass it before you take the skills test. You must pass the skills test within 90 days of passing the knowledge test, or you have to take the knowledge test again.
Ron, did you take your driving test after July 1, after the requirements changed? If so, what parking and backing-up maneuvers did you have to do? The new federal CDL requirements include not just parallel parking and backing up 60' in a straight line, but also backing up into an offset space. I would never attempt any of these without my wife outside on a walkie-talkie, but I've also heard you're not allowed to use a spotter during the test.
Barb
Thanks Barb - good idea on the Escapees forum.
We're headed west when we leave Dallas, so hoping not to have to go to Livingston, but it's an option.
Since Barb jumped in I'll just add a little. First, I think she's right in that you would probably have the most predictable experience in Livingston. I did take my test about a month ago, so, yes, after July 1st. I say that you would have the most predictable experience in Livingston because I have a strong sense that the examiners around the state have a lot of flexibility with regard to what they do/don't test you on. My test involved zero backing or parallel parking. We just ran a normal CDL route which included right and left turns, approach to stop signs and stop lights, school zones, city streets and highway merge and exit ... using appropriate signals and of mirror use and lane discipline. I fully expected to be asked to demonstrate my backing skills and even parallel parking (none of which would have been a problem as I can do all that and actually had practiced a bit), as there was an area that was coned off to do just that. However, when we got back from our drive, she said nothing about any of that. I know that others have had a different experience and had to do other things. That is why I say that you will have the most predictable testing experience in Livingston. My experience was surprisingly straight forward, but I may just have caught the right examiner at the right time.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 14th of October 2016 04:13:11 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 14th of October 2016 09:12:35 PM