TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY PRACTICE
EXAM | 200 Multiple Choice Questions with
Rationales**
These will cover TxDMV regulations, motor carrier authority, permits, safety requirements,
insurance, and all relevant topics
**1. TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY BASICS**
**Question 1**
Under Texas Transportation Code, a "motor carrier" is defined as a person who transports
persons or cargo for compensation using a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of:
A) 16,000 pounds or more
B) 26,001 pounds or more (correct answer)
C) 10,001 pounds or more
D) 33,001 pounds or more
**Rationale:** Under Texas Transportation Code §643.001, a motor carrier is defined as a
person who transports cargo or passengers for compensation using a vehicle or combination
with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. This threshold is consistent with federal CMV
classification standards.
---
**Question 2**
Which agency is responsible for issuing motor carrier authority and enforcing motor carrier
regulations within the state of Texas?
A) Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
,B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (correct answer)
D) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
**Rationale:** The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Motor Carrier Division is the
primary state agency responsible for issuing motor carrier authority, registering motor carriers,
and enforcing Texas-specific motor carrier laws and regulations.
---
**Question 3**
A for-hire motor carrier operating solely within the state of Texas must obtain which type of
authority?
A) Interstate authority only
B) Texas Motor Carrier Authority (correct answer)
C) Federal operating authority only
D) No authority required for intrastate operations
**Rationale:** Any for-hire motor carrier operating within Texas borders for compensation
must obtain Texas Motor Carrier Authority from the TxDMV. This applies to intrastate commerce
regardless of whether the carrier also holds interstate authority.
---
**Question 4**
Private carriers operating in Texas transporting their own property:
A) Must obtain for-hire motor carrier authority
B) Are exempt from all motor carrier regulations
,C) Must obtain private carrier registration but do not need for-hire authority (correct answer)
D) Must file interstate authority with FMCSA only
**Rationale:** Private carriers transporting their own property are not considered for-hire
carriers and therefore do not need for-hire motor carrier authority. However, they must still
register as private carriers and comply with safety, insurance, and vehicle registration
requirements.
---
**Question 5**
A household goods motor carrier in Texas is defined as a carrier that transports:
A) Any boxed cargo
B) Personal effects and property used in a dwelling (correct answer)
C) Commercial office furniture only
D) Agricultural products exclusively
**Rationale:** Under Texas law, household goods carriers specifically transport personal effects
and property typically found in a home or dwelling. This classification requires additional
bonding and consumer protection requirements beyond standard motor carrier authority.
---
**Question 6**
To obtain Texas Motor Carrier Authority, an applicant must file which of the following with the
TxDMV?
A) Only proof of insurance
B) A completed application, proof of insurance, and appropriate fees (correct answer)
, C) Federal authority certificate only
D) Texas driver's license only
**Rationale:** The TxDMV requires a completed application, proof of liability insurance or self-
insurance certification, payment of applicable fees, and other documentation depending on the
type of authority requested.
---
**Question 7**
A motor carrier's authority certificate in Texas must be:
A) Kept at the carrier's principal place of business
B) Carried in the vehicle during operations and presented upon request (correct answer)
C) Filed annually with the IRS
D) Displayed on the company's website only
**Rationale:** Texas regulations require the motor carrier certificate of authority or a copy to
be carried in each commercial motor vehicle and presented to enforcement officers or TxDMV
representatives upon request.
---
**Question 8**
Which of the following is NOT required to obtain initial Texas Motor Carrier Authority?
A) USDOT number
B) Proof of liability insurance
C) Texas driver license for all drivers
EXAM | 200 Multiple Choice Questions with
Rationales**
These will cover TxDMV regulations, motor carrier authority, permits, safety requirements,
insurance, and all relevant topics
**1. TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY BASICS**
**Question 1**
Under Texas Transportation Code, a "motor carrier" is defined as a person who transports
persons or cargo for compensation using a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of:
A) 16,000 pounds or more
B) 26,001 pounds or more (correct answer)
C) 10,001 pounds or more
D) 33,001 pounds or more
**Rationale:** Under Texas Transportation Code §643.001, a motor carrier is defined as a
person who transports cargo or passengers for compensation using a vehicle or combination
with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. This threshold is consistent with federal CMV
classification standards.
---
**Question 2**
Which agency is responsible for issuing motor carrier authority and enforcing motor carrier
regulations within the state of Texas?
A) Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
,B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (correct answer)
D) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
**Rationale:** The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Motor Carrier Division is the
primary state agency responsible for issuing motor carrier authority, registering motor carriers,
and enforcing Texas-specific motor carrier laws and regulations.
---
**Question 3**
A for-hire motor carrier operating solely within the state of Texas must obtain which type of
authority?
A) Interstate authority only
B) Texas Motor Carrier Authority (correct answer)
C) Federal operating authority only
D) No authority required for intrastate operations
**Rationale:** Any for-hire motor carrier operating within Texas borders for compensation
must obtain Texas Motor Carrier Authority from the TxDMV. This applies to intrastate commerce
regardless of whether the carrier also holds interstate authority.
---
**Question 4**
Private carriers operating in Texas transporting their own property:
A) Must obtain for-hire motor carrier authority
B) Are exempt from all motor carrier regulations
,C) Must obtain private carrier registration but do not need for-hire authority (correct answer)
D) Must file interstate authority with FMCSA only
**Rationale:** Private carriers transporting their own property are not considered for-hire
carriers and therefore do not need for-hire motor carrier authority. However, they must still
register as private carriers and comply with safety, insurance, and vehicle registration
requirements.
---
**Question 5**
A household goods motor carrier in Texas is defined as a carrier that transports:
A) Any boxed cargo
B) Personal effects and property used in a dwelling (correct answer)
C) Commercial office furniture only
D) Agricultural products exclusively
**Rationale:** Under Texas law, household goods carriers specifically transport personal effects
and property typically found in a home or dwelling. This classification requires additional
bonding and consumer protection requirements beyond standard motor carrier authority.
---
**Question 6**
To obtain Texas Motor Carrier Authority, an applicant must file which of the following with the
TxDMV?
A) Only proof of insurance
B) A completed application, proof of insurance, and appropriate fees (correct answer)
, C) Federal authority certificate only
D) Texas driver's license only
**Rationale:** The TxDMV requires a completed application, proof of liability insurance or self-
insurance certification, payment of applicable fees, and other documentation depending on the
type of authority requested.
---
**Question 7**
A motor carrier's authority certificate in Texas must be:
A) Kept at the carrier's principal place of business
B) Carried in the vehicle during operations and presented upon request (correct answer)
C) Filed annually with the IRS
D) Displayed on the company's website only
**Rationale:** Texas regulations require the motor carrier certificate of authority or a copy to
be carried in each commercial motor vehicle and presented to enforcement officers or TxDMV
representatives upon request.
---
**Question 8**
Which of the following is NOT required to obtain initial Texas Motor Carrier Authority?
A) USDOT number
B) Proof of liability insurance
C) Texas driver license for all drivers
