Motor carriers operating INTRAstate commercial motor vehicles on a road or highway in Texas must register their operations with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Motor Carrier Division. For INTRAstate operations please ensure you register with USDOT as INTRAstate not INTERstate.
You must register as a motor carrier when you:
- Operate a commercial motor vehicle (or a combination of vehicles) with a gross weight, registered weight or gross-weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds
- Transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding
- Operate a farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight or gross weight rating of 48,000 pounds or more
- Operate a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver
- Operate a commercial school bus
- Transport household goods for compensation, regardless of vehicle weight
Motor carrier registration (TxDMV Number) is available for seven calendar days, 90 days, one year or two years. A motor carrier certificate of registration is non-transferable between carriers registered as a sole proprietor.
* Passenger carriers may not perform these functions online.
For questions or assistance with using MCCS, please contact the TxDMV at (800) 299-1700.
Follow these steps to register. For INTRAstate operations please ensure you register with USDOT as INTRAstate not INTERstate. Please note that before you begin you must have a valid USDOT Number.
First-Time Users
To apply for operating authority in Texas, go to www.TxDMV.gov/elinc and sign up to register.
- Application Review
Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed within 24–48 business hours. You will then receive an email with further instructions. - Insurance Filing
When your application is approved, you will receive an email with your Unique Identifier Number (UIN). Provide this number to your insurance company so they can file your required insurance online. - Fee Payment and Certificate Issuance
After your insurance company files the required insurance, you will receive another email directing you to log in to MCCS to pay the required fees.
Once payment is complete, MCCS will convert your UIN into your official TxDMV Certificate number.
Processing Time
- Standard Review
Initial application submissions are reviewed within 24–48 business hours. - Extended Review
If a carrier has had a previous authority/certificate or is linked in any way to another authority/certificate, review time increases by an additional 7 business days. - Check Application Status
To check the status of your TxDMV Certificate application, call (800) 299-1700, options 3-4-3. - Incomplete or Incorrect Applications
Applications with any misrepresentation, misstatement, or omission of required information will not be processed until all requirements are satisfied.
Cab Cards
- Once you have paid your fees and completed the application process, your TxDMV Certificate number will be issued. At that point, you may print your insurance Cab Card and Certificate.
- A current copy of the insurance Cab Card must be kept in the commercial vehicle at all times.
- The Cab Card, whether paper or electronic, must be available for presentation to law enforcement upon request.
Replace a Vehicle
- You are not required to pay vehicle fees when substituting a vehicle for a current/existing vehicle.
- This can be done online through MCCS.
- Login to MCCS
Add Vehicles or Renew Your Certificate of Registration
- Renewal notices are sent to the mailing or email address on file about 30 days before expiration.
- You may add vehicles or renew your registration online through MCCS.
- Login to MCCS
Fees (due at time of registration):
- $10 per vehicle for one-year registration
- $20 per vehicle for two-year registration
Important Notes:
- If you do not receive a renewal notice, you are still responsible for renewing your registration before it expires.
- 7-day and 90-day certificates of registration cannot be renewed.
Motor carrier registration fees (excluding household goods movers)
| Fee Type | 7-Day | 90-Day | Annual | Biennial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application * | $5 | $25 | $100 | $100 |
| Vehicle | $10 per vehicle | $10 per vehicle | $10 per vehicle | $20 per vehicle |
| Insurance Filing (Form E) | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
Motor carrier registration fees for household goods movers are as follows:
| Fee Type | Annual | Biennial |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $100 | $100 |
| Vehicle | $10 per vehicle | $20 per vehicle |
| Insurance Filing (Form E) | $100 | $100 |
| Insurance Filing (Forms H & I) | $100 | $100 |
Fees are payable to:
- MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express (a service charge of 25 cents plus 2.25 percent will be added.)
- Personal check, business check, cashier's check or money order, payable to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
All fees are nonrefundable.
* One-time fee provided registration remains current/active as originally set up.
Insurance Requirements
Motor carriers must maintain at least the required minimum levels of insurance and keep an active insurance filing in MCCS at all times while operating in Texas.
| Description | Minimum Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Transporters of Hazardous Materials (that require placarding) | Hazardous substances, as defined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (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, or Division 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A material; in bulk Division 2.1 or 2.2; or highway route controlled quantities of a Class 7 material, as defined in 49 CFR §173.403 |
$5,000,000 |
| Oil listed in 49 CFR §172.101: hazardous waste, hazardous materials and hazardous substances as defined in 49 CFR §171.8 and listed in 49 CFR §172.101, but not mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this subsection and petroleum products that are lubricants or fuels | $1,000,000 | |
| Household Goods Movers | Household goods carriers with a gross weight, registered weight or gross weight rating less than 26,000 pounds | $300,000 |
| Commercial School Bus Operators | For-hire school buses operating within the boundaries of a municipality and transporting preprimary, primary or secondary school students on a route between the students' residence and a public, private or parochial school | $500,000 |
| Bus Operators | Vehicles designed or used to transport > 15 passengers (including driver) but < 26 passengers (not including driver) | $500,000 |
| Vehicles designed or used to transport > 26 passengers (not including driver) | $5,000,000 | |
| All Others | Private or for-hire motor carriers with a gross weight, registered weight or gross weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds | $500,000 |
Cargo Insurance Requirements for Household Goods Carriers
| Description | Insurance |
|---|---|
| Loss of or damage to total cargo carried on any one motor vehicle | $5,000 |
| Aggregate loss of or damage to multiple shipper cargo carried on any one motor vehicle | $10,000 |
Your insurance policy must remain active in MCCS while operating as a motor carrier in Texas.
Texas law requires all INTRAstate motor carriers to register with TxDMV and file proof of insurance or financial responsibility. Failure to maintain continuous proof of insurance on your TxDMV certificate number in MCCS may result in:
- Administrative penalties
- Administrative sanctions
- Revocation of your certificate
Policy Cancellation Notices
- If your insurance company cancels your policy, you will receive an electronic notice 30 days before cancellation (if a current email address is on file in MCCS).
- Only your insurance company can file proof of insurance or cancellation.
Required Insurance Filings
The following forms are provided by and must be filed electronically by your insurance company underwriter:
- Form E – Proof of liability insurance
- Form H & I – Proof of cargo insurance
- Form K – Liability insurance cancellation
Note: While your insurance provider submits filings, you are responsible for making sure your insurance record in MCCS stays “Active.”
Self-Insurance Option
Motor carriers may apply to qualify as self-insured. Applications must include:
- Application for Qualification as a Self-Insurer
- A verified statement of financial condition
- Evidence showing the carrier can meet liability obligations without affecting business stability
For an application or more details, call (512) 465-4194.
Drug-Testing Certification
All motor carriers registered with TxDMV must certify compliance with USDOT FMCSA drug-testing requirements.
- Certification – You must confirm that your company complies with federal drug-testing requirements.
- Consortium/Facility Information – You must provide the name of the drug-testing consortium or facility your company uses.
- Reporting Results – You must report drug-testing results to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in the manner required by DPS.
For details on testing and reporting requirements, contact Texas DPS at (512) 424-2052.
Online, using MCCS, you have the ability to:
- Update the cargo type
- Update the motor carrier name, address and/or legal agent for service of process
- Update the drug-testing consortium status
- Cancel your Certificate of Registration
- Update the principal officers or titles within a corporation
- Re-register a revoked/cancelled certificate of registration number
You must contact TxDMV Motor Carrier Division to request the following:
- File a corporate conversion: Registered corporations must have the conversion approved by the Texas Secretary of State before contacting the TxDMV.
- Request your PIN
- Request a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) conversion - This conversion identifies a motor carrier as having current registration within the National Registration System (NRS) under the Unified Carrier Registration System.