SECTION 15.55. Waiver of Knowledge and/or Skills Tests

(a) The terms in this section, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Knowledge exam--Written, computerized, or automated exam.

(2) Skills exam--Driving or road exam.

(3) Unrestricted Class A, B, and C license--A license that allows a person 18 years of age or older to operate a motor vehicle without having a restriction that requires a licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the front seat.

(b) Knowledge and skills exams are waived for applicants who hold a noncommercial driver license that is valid or not expired over two years from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or province of Canada when applying for a Texas license of the same or lower type. An applicant with a noncommercial driver license that is valid or not expired over two years will be required to pass the vision exam.

(c) The skills exam for a noncommercial driver license is waived for applicants who hold a valid U.S. military or Armed Forces license.

(d) Class M License:

(1) The Class M knowledge exam is waived for applicants who have successfully completed a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved motorcycle operator training course.

(2) The skills exam is waived for individuals age 18 and older who have a valid, unrestricted Class A, B, or C Texas driver license and have successfully completed a TDLR approved motorcycle operator training course.

(3) All other applicants must take and pass a skills exam for a motorcycle license.

(4) An applicant must present either item detailed in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph to confirm successful completion of a TDLR approved motorcycle operator training course:

(A) a valid Standardized Motorcycle Operator Training Course completion card (Form MSB-8); or

(B) a valid completion card from a state or military motorcycle safety training program showing that the applicant has completed a course in basic motorcycle safety instruction that meets or exceeds the TDLR approved curriculum standards.

(C) The course completion cards are valid for 24 months from the date of issuance.

(e) Required completion of the knowledge and/or skills exams.

(1) The skills exam will not be waived for applicants under the age of 18.

(2) Applicants younger than 25 years of age who present driver education completion certificates dated two or more years prior to the date of application will not have any examinations waived. These certificates are acceptable as proof of driver education completion.

(3) If an advance in grade is applied for, the applicant must pass the vision exam and appropriate knowledge and skills exams.

(4) For applicants with an out-of-state license expired over two years or no license, the applicant must pass the vision, knowledge, and skills exams.

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.55 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976; amended to be effective April 1, 1994, 19 TexReg 2010; amended to be effective August 11, 1995, 20 TexReg 5617; amended to be effective October 24, 1996, 21 TexReg 10218; amended to be effective June 12, 1997, 22 TexReg 4418; amended to be effective December 25, 2003, 28 TexReg 11342; amended to be effective January 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 249; amended to be effective March 15, 2016, 41 TexReg 1862; amended to be effective March 15, 2017, 42 TexReg 1150; amended to be effective March 5, 2020, 45 TexReg 1443; amended to be effective September 3, 2020, 45TexReg 6126; amended to be effective September 14, 2023, 48 TexReg 5071