Motor Carrier (Operating Authority)
Registration required. Operators of commercial motor vehicles that meet the following criteria:
- Vehicle (or combination of vehicles) with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds, that is designed or used for transportation of cargo in furtherance of any commercial enterprise
- For-hire vehicle used to transport household goods, regardless of gross weight rating
- Vehicle, including a bus, designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver
- Vehicle used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding under the regulations issued under the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 USC, § 5101-5127)
- Vehicle defined by 49 CFR §390.5, owned or controlled by someone domiciled in, or a citizen of, a country other than the United States
Registration not required. For motor carrier registration purposes, operators of the following types of vehicles are not required to register:
- Farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight, and gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds
- Cotton vehicle registered under Texas Transportation Code (TRC),§504.505
- Vehicle registered with the Texas Railroad Commission under Texas Natural Resources Code, §113.131 and §116.072
- Vehicle used to transport liquor under a private carrier permit issued under Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 42
- Vehicle used to transport passengers and operated by an entity whose primary function is not to transport passengers, such as a vehicle operated by a hotel, day-care center, nursing home, etc.
- Vehicle operated by a governmental entity
Drug Test Certification
All motor carriers registered with TxDMV must certify as part of the application process that they are in compliance with the drug-testing requirements of 49 CFR Part 382.
Motor carriers that belong to a drug-testing consortium, as defined by 49 CFR Part 382, must also provide the names of the persons operating the consortium.
Motor carriers must report a valid positive controlled substance test result to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), in the manner required by the DPS, when performed as part of the carrier's drug-testing program on an employee of the carrier who holds a commercial driver's license under Transportation Code, Chapter 522. The term "employee" as used in this paragraph includes all employees as defined in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 40.3.
Proof of Insurance
A household goods carrier has different insurance coverage requirements.
A motor carrier must file proof of
A motor carrier's
| Vehicle Type | Minimum Coverage | |
| 1 | Bus - designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including driver), but less than 26 (excluding driver) | $500,000 |
| 2 | Bus - seating capacity of 15 passengers or less (including driver) operated by a foreign motor carrier and foreign motor private carrier defined in 49 USC §13102 | $1,500,000 |
| 3 | Bus - designed or used to transport 26 passengers or more (excluding driver) | $5,000,000 |
| 4 | Bus - seating capacity of 16 passengers or more (including driver) operated by a foreign motor or private carrier defined in 49 USC §13102 | $5,000,000 |
| 5 | Farm truck - gross vehicle weight 48,000 pounds or more | $500,000 |
| 6 | Commercial motor vehicles (gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 lbs) | $500,000 |
| 7 | Commercial motor vehicle - defined in 49 CFR §390.5, operated by a foreign motor or private carrier defined in 49 USC §13102 | $750,000 |
| 8 | Commercial motor vehicle - oil listed in 49 CFR §172.101; hazardous waste, materials, and substances defined in 49 CFR §171.8 and listed in 49 CFR §172.101, but not mentioned in item #10 below | $1,000,000 |
| 9 | Commercial motor vehicle - hazardous substances, as defined in 49 CFR §171.8, transported in cargo tanks, portable tanks, or hopper-type vehicles with capacities in excess of 3,500 water gallons; or any quantity of Division 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 materials, any quantity of Division 2.3, Hazard Zone A material; in bulk Division 2.1 of 2.2; or highway route controlled quantities of a Class 7 material, as defined in 49 CFR §173.403. | $5,000,000 |
Workers' Compensation or accidental insurance. A motor carrier whose primary business is transportation for compensation or hire and who operates between two or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages is required to provide for all of its employees either Workers' Compensation insurance or accidental insurance. Accidental insurance requirements are described on the following table.
Accidental Insurance Requirements
|
Type of coverage |
Minimum Coverage |
| Medical expenses and coverage for at least 104 week | $ 300,000 |
| Accidental death and dismemberment, 70 percent of employee's pre-injury income for not less than 104 weeks when compensating for loss of income | $100,000 |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $500 |
Proof of Workers' Compensation or accidental insurance is not filed with TxDMV.
Self-insurance. To qualify as self-insured, a motor carrier must file with TxDMV an "Application for Qualification as a Self-Insurer" containing a true and accurate statement of the motor carrier's financial condition and other evidence that establishes its ability to satisfy obligations for bodily injury and property damage liability without affecting the stability or permanency of its business.
TxDMV may accept United States Department of Transportation evidence of the motor carrier's qualifications as a self-insured.