An up to 3× breakdown voltage tristate capable integrated circuit CMOS buffer includes a level shifter circuit and a driver circuit. The driver stage includes a series connected n-channel and p-channel cascode stacks, each including at least three transistors. Dynamic gate biasing is provided for the third n-channel and p-channel cascode transistors to prevent voltage overstress of the cascode transistors. The level shifter circuit includes at least one pseudo N-MOS inverter including an input transistor, a protective cascode stack including at least one n-channel cascode transistor, and a load transistor. The level shifter provides at least one voltage shifted input signal to the driver
