How to Start a Trucking Company in Texas
What does it cost to start a trucking company in Texas?
A Texas trucking company files a $300 LLC certificate of formation with the Secretary of State, gets a free USDOT number, pays $300 for MC authority, and registers IRP and IFTA through TxDMV. Intrastate for-hire freight also needs a separate TxDMV motor carrier registration. Plan on roughly $10,000 to $18,000 in year-one compliance and insurance costs, excluding the truck.
Last verified by ELD Hub.
Register now, activate the day your MC clears
FMCSA requires an ELD from your first mile under authority. Set it up while you wait — $15 per truck per month, no contract, cancel anytime.
4 quick steps — personal details, company info, billing, done. About 2 minutes.
Texas entity and registration facts
- LLC formation fee
- $300 certificate of formation
- Ongoing state cost
- No annual report fee; franchise tax report required (usually $0 tax under the threshold)
- IRP / IFTA office
- TxDMV Motor Carrier Division
- Intrastate authority
- Texas requires a TxDMV motor carrier registration (TxDMV number) for intrastate for-hire operation, separate from your federal MC authority.
What is different about launching in Texas
TxDMV number for intrastate freight
If you plan to haul inside Texas for hire, the federal MC number is not enough. TxDMV issues a separate intrastate motor carrier registration.
Franchise tax report is not optional
Even with no tax due, a Texas LLC files an annual franchise tax report. Missing it forfeits the entity's right to transact business.
Biggest freight market in the country
Texas has the highest interstate freight volume of any state, which means the most brokers and the most competition on rates out of Dallas, Houston and Laredo.
The federal filings, in order
USDOT number →
Free, issued in minutes. The first filing every carrier makes.
MC operating authority →
$300, non-refundable. Roughly 4–6 weeks from filing to active.
BOC-3 filing →
About $40 one-time. Must be on file before authority activates.
UCR registration →
About $46/year for 0–2 trucks. Due before the calendar year starts.
IRP apportioned plates →
$1,200–$2,500 in year one, filed with your base state.
Drug & alcohol consortium →
$50–$100 per driver per year. Required before the first dispatch.
Keep going
Startup cost calculator →
Year-one budget for a Texas authority.
90-day launch checklist →
Every step from LLC to first load.
ELD requirements in Texas →
State rules, inspections and enforcement.
ELD for a new authority →
What FMCSA expects from day one under your MC.
Other states
Register now, activate the day your MC clears
FMCSA requires an ELD from your first mile under authority. Set it up while you wait — $15 per truck per month, no contract, cancel anytime.
4 quick steps — personal details, company info, billing, done. About 2 minutes.