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DOT Compliance Help for Texas Motor Carriers
National DOT is based in Denton and led by Steven Oliver, CSHO, a retired Texas State Trooper from the Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service. Texas carriers often have to keep two sets of rules straight: federal rules for interstate work and Texas rules for trips that stay in the state.
National DOT serves motor carriers nationwide, and Texas is our specialty. This page covers Texas-specific rules alongside the federal ones. Carriers in North Texas can also see our Dallas–Fort Worth page.
Interstate, intrastate, or both?
Texas requires intrastate motor carriers to have a USDOT Number. If you operate only inside Texas, TxDMV says to register with USDOT as intrastate, not interstate. A USDOT Number by itself isn't operating authority, though. Intrastate carriers also need a TxDMV Number (a Certificate of Registration) when they:
- Operate a vehicle or combination over 26,000 lbs gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating
- Transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding
- Operate a farm vehicle of 48,000 lbs or more
- Operate a vehicle designed to carry more than 15 passengers, including the driver
- Operate a commercial school bus
- Transport household goods for compensation, at any vehicle weight
TxDMV must receive your insurance filing (Form E) electronically from your insurer before the TxDMV Number becomes active. If you run both intrastate and interstate loads, you need both kinds of authority, because one doesn't cover the other.
Texas intrastate hours of service differ
Under 37 Texas Administrative Code §4.12, drivers in Texas intrastate commerce may drive 12 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, and may not drive after being on duty 15 hours. Those aren't the federal interstate limits, so a fleet doing both kinds of work needs to know which rules apply to each trip and log accordingly.
Services for Texas carriers
Why National DOT in Texas?
Steven Oliver, CSHO, is a retired Texas State Trooper from the Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service with 21+ years in law enforcement and nearly two decades in commercial vehicle enforcement and compliance. Training: North American Roadside Part A, B, and C; PHMSA Hazmat Instructor Training. "I've been on both sides of the inspection window." Steven knows Texas roadside enforcement from the inside and now uses that experience to help carriers get ready for it.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm the current regulation or check with the agency before relying on it.
Related: New Mexico · Florida · Weight law / CDL tool
Sources
- TxDMV, TxDMV Number (intrastate registration requirements)
- TxDMV, Becoming a Texas Motor Carrier (Intrastate)
- TxDMV eLINC FAQ (HB 2985: intrastate carriers need a USDOT Number)
- FMCSA, Do I Need a USDOT Number? (states requiring intrastate USDOT Numbers)
- 37 Tex. Admin. Code §4.12, Exemptions and Exceptions