USDOT number for in-state trucks: required · State operating authority: yes, see below · State insurance minimums: yes, see below · UCR participant: yes · State trucking taxes or permits: TxDMV oversize/overweight permits (TxPROS).
What Texas requires of trucking companies
- USDOT number for trucks that stay in TexasTexas requires a USDOT number before a carrier can get its TxDMV certificate. That applies to private and for-hire carriers running vehicles over 26,000 lbs, buses built for more than 15 passengers, placarded hazmat, farm vehicles over 48,000 lbs, and household goods movers of any size who haul for pay. Source
- Texas operating authorityIntrastate carriers in those categories must hold a TxDMV Certificate of Registration (TxDMV number), issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles after the USDOT number is obtained, with insurance filed electronically by the insurer. Household goods movers need it regardless of truck size and must also file cargo insurance. Source
- Insurance minimums for intrastate carriersTxDMV requires $500,000 in liability for private or for-hire carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 lbs, $300,000 for household goods movers under 26,000 lbs, and $1,000,000 or $5,000,000 for hazmat depending on the material. Household goods movers also need cargo coverage of $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 aggregate. Source
Once a Texas truck crosses a state line
Federal rules add a USDOT number, MC authority and a $750,000 minimum for general freight (details). Texas is a UCR participating state.
Texas trucking taxes and permits
- TxDMV oversize/overweight permits (TxPROS)Loads over Texas legal size or weight need a TxDMV permit, and a route where required, which carriers can apply for and often self-issue through the online TxPROS system. Source
Workers’ comp for Texas trucking companies
Texas is the only state where private employers may choose not to carry workers' compensation; these non-subscribers lose certain legal defenses and must notify the Division of Workers' Compensation and their employees that they have no coverage. Source
Where Texas trucks run
I-35 (the main NAFTA/USMCA corridor), I-10, I-20, I-45 and I-30 carry most truck freight, linking the Port of Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth distribution centers, San Antonio, El Paso and the Laredo border crossings. The busiest freight markets include Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, Laredo, El Paso and Austin.
Laredo is the busiest U.S.–Mexico land port for trucks, Permian Basin and Eagle Ford oilfield hauling drives demand for hotshot, water and sand trucking, and the Port of Houston generates heavy container drayage.
Texas trucking by the numbers
| Measure | Texas | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| New for-hire carriers (October 2025 to September 2026) | 18,366 | #1 of 51 | +3.4% from the year before; 64% started with a single power unit. |
| Deaths in truck crashes, 2024 | 732 | #1 of 51 | 664 fatal crashes among 18,831 reportable truck crashes; 7,137 deaths 2016–2025 (2025 preliminary). |
| Vehicles placed out of service at roadside inspections, 2025 | 25.4% | #21 of 49 | 315,057 inspections; drivers out of service 5.2% (US: vehicles 22.3%, drivers 6.1%). |
| Trucking companies that lost operating authority, 2025 | 8,815 | #1 of 51 | 13.3 for every 10 companies granted authority that year; 899 more suspended for cancelled insurance under Motus since June 2026. |
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 39 | #16 (tied) of 51 | Most often for flood, severe storm. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Common questions
Do I need a USDOT number for intrastate trucking in Texas?
Texas requires a USDOT number before a carrier can get its TxDMV certificate. That applies to private and for-hire carriers running vehicles over 26,000 lbs, buses built for more than 15 passengers, placarded hazmat, farm vehicles over 48,000 lbs, and household goods movers of any size who haul for pay.
What insurance does Texas require for intrastate trucking?
TxDMV requires $500,000 in liability for private or for-hire carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 lbs, $300,000 for household goods movers under 26,000 lbs, and $1,000,000 or $5,000,000 for hazmat depending on the material. Household goods movers also need cargo coverage of $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 aggregate.
Is workers’ comp required for a trucking company in Texas?
Texas is the only state where private employers may choose not to carry workers' compensation; these non-subscribers lose certain legal defenses and must notify the Division of Workers' Compensation and their employees that they have no coverage.
Sources
- Texas: USDOT number for intrastate carriers
- Texas: Workers’ compensation
- Texas: TxDMV oversize/overweight permits (TxPROS)
- FMCSA: States that require intrastate carriers to obtain a USDOT number
- FMCSA: Insurance filing requirements (49 CFR 387)
- Unified Carrier Registration
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.