GUIDE TO TEXAS TRUCKING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Commercial Motor Vehicle (Interstate) – Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a Highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

• Has a GVWR or GCWR or GVW or GCW of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
• Is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
• Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
• Is used to transport Hazardous Material in a quantity requiring a placard.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (Intrastate-Texas) – Any self-propelled or towed vehicle, other than a farm vehicle with a GVW, registered weight, or GVWR of less than 48,000 pounds, that is used on a public highway to transport passengers or cargo if:

• The vehicle or combination of vehicles has a GWR, registered weight or GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds; or
• The vehicle is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or
• The vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding

Interstate Commerce – Defined as trade, traffic, or transportation in the United States;

• Between a place in a State and a place outside of such State (including a place outside of the U.S.)
• Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the United States
• Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the State or the United States.

Intrastate Commerce – Defined as any trade, traffic, or transportation in any State which is not described in the term “interstate commerce”

Hazardous Materials – Those materials which have been designated by U.S. DOT to be capable of giving an unreasonable risk to health safety and property when transported.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – The total (actual weight) of the vehicle or combination of vehicles at a point in time.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – Defined as the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) – The sum of the GVWR’s or the Gross Vehicle Weights (GVWs) of the power unit and the towed unit(s).

Commercial Driver License (CDL) – License issued to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of commercial motor vehicle. Any of the following requires a CDL:

• A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR or GVW of 26,001 lbs. or more
• A vehicle that must be placarded for transportation of hazardous material regardless of the GVWR
• A passenger-carrying vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 passengers or more, including the driver.

Health Card Requirements for Non-CDL Required Drivers – You will need a Medical card signed by a DOT Certified Medical Examiner on your person, if any one of the following applies to the vehicle you are driving:

• A vehicle or combination vehicle operating in interstate commerce with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more.
• A vehicle which must be placarded for transporting a hazardous material regardless of GVWR.
• A passenger carrying vehicle which is designed for, or used to, transport between 9-15 passengers (including the driver) in interstate commerce, for direct compensation.

If you would like to learn more about how INSURICA can help with an insurance evaluation and employee benefits, please reach out any time.

Kevin Riley, CDS | Safety & Risk Consultant
Kevin.Riley@INSURICA.com
(903) 939-6456