Private carrier authority - Texas

Intrastate

Owners and/or operators of commercial vehicles engaged in private intrastate carriage of property over Texas highways (or unregulated for-hire carriers) must register for intrastate authority with the Texas DMV and supply proof of insurance. All intrastate carriers are required to have an active US DOT number before applying for or renewing their TX DMV authority registration. Carriers must have a Texas intrastate authority DMV Number Certificate in addition to their US DOT number.

To apply for intrastate authority, carriers must file an Original Texas Motor Carrier Application and an additional Motor Carrier Equipment Report.

Entities required to register with Texas for a TxDMV certificate of authority are:

• Vehicles (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.
• Vehicles, including a bus, designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
• Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding under the regulations issued under the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 USC §§5101-5128).
• Foreign commercial motor vehicles owned by a person or entity that is domiciled in or a citizen of a country other than the United States.

Application for authority can be completed online. Call (800) 299-1700 to begin the registration process over the phone and obtain a Unique Identifier Number (UIN). Once a UIN has been assigned, use the online Motor Carrier Credentialing System (MCCS) at https://apps.txdmv.gov/apps/mccs/motorcarrier/.

Intrastate motor carriers may receive registration for seven calendar days, 90 calendar days, or one or two years in duration.

Carriers with mixed fleets must register the vehicles that qualify.

The following non-refundable fees and documents must be submitted with the application:

1. Application filing fee – Annual and biennial, $100; 7-day, $5; 90-day, $25.
2. Per vehicle fee for 7-day, 90-day, and annual – $10. Biennial per vehicle fee – $20. Biennial registration vehicle additions –$20 during first year, $10 during second year.
3. Insurance fee for each Form E filing – $100.
4. Household goods cargo insurance Forms H and I filing fee – $100.
5. Completed New Applicant Questionnaire.
6. Applicant’s business phone number, email address, and any cell phone number.
7. If the applicant is an individual, the applicant must provide the identification number from one of the following: unexpired driver’s license number, unexpired identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States, or an unexpired concealed handgun license.
8. If the applicant is an entity (corporation, general partnership, LLC, etc.), the applicant must include the entity’s Texas Comptroller’s Taxpayer Number or the entity’s Federal Employer Identification Number.

Once the carrier obtains a certificate of registration, the motor carrier must review its principal business address, mailing address, and email address in the department’s online system every six months and must update the information if it is no longer correct.

Solely intrastate carriers are required to renew their Texas authority registration annually. Carriers will receive a Texas intrastate authority (TxDMV Number Certificate) in addition to their US DOT number. Upon certificate number assignment, TxDMV will issue a motor carrier registration vehicle listing (insurance cab card). A copy of the insurance cab card listing identifying the vehicle being operated must be carried in vehicle at all times.

The Texas DMV Certificate is renewable annually for intrastate operations.

Certain carriers are not required to register for authority with the TxDMV:

• Farm vehicles with a gross weight, registered weight, and gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds;
• Cotton vehicles registered under Texas Transportation Code §504.505;
• Vehicles registered with the Texas Railroad Commission under Texas Natural Resources Code §113.131 and §116.072;
• Vehicles exempt from registration by the UCR Act of 2005;
• Vehicles used to transport liquor under a private carrier permit issued under Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 42; and
• Vehicles operated by a governmental entity.

Interstate and intrastate

All interstate carriers also operating intrastate must register with Texas and obtain a certificate for the intrastate operation.

Interstate operation requires registration with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Agreement. Interstate motor carriers who are currently registered under the UCR and that also operate in Texas intrastate commerce are issued a non-expiring TX Registration certificate; annual renewal is not required for non-expiring registrations.

However, household goods (HHG) carriers, non-charter bus carriers, or waste or recyclable materials transporters operating interstate under UCR registration and intrastate in Texas are not eligible for non-expiring certificates; these types of carriers must renew their certificate of authority annually.

If the TxDMV issues a non-expiring certificate of registration, the motor carrier must notify TxDMV if the motor carrier is no longer registered under the UCR or if the carrier operates as a non-charter bus carrier, HHG carrier, or recyclable materials or waste carrier.

Interstate

Texas is a participating member of the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA). Online registration and fee payment is recommended and available to all carriers at the national UCRA website at www.ucr.in.gov.

Refer to Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA) for the current fee schedule.

View agency contact information.