Texas State Law

Vehicles engaged in interstate traffic are governed by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49, Parts 350-399). However, some vehicles, such as local delivery trucks, may only be traveling intrastate, within the State of Texas, and are governed by Title 49, Parts 382-384 and 390-399 of the Federal Regulations. To view the Texas Transportation Code, click on the following link: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm

Intrastate trucking is increasing here in Texas, where the recent housing construction boom in North Texas has resulted in an increased demand for construction materials. Texas ranks second only to California in the amount of construction gravel and sand sold or used. Sand and gravel drivers are often paid by the load, providing an incentive for some drivers to speed or drive long hours in order to carry as many loads as possible within a day.

Intrastate drivers traveling in less than a 150-mile radius are not required to keep logs. However, their employers must maintain records to ensure that the driver has not exceeded a 12-hour driving limit, and must retain those records for six months. Texas does not require intrastate drivers to speak English, and applicants are permitted to take the commercial driver’s test in Spanish. Some truck drivers have used false Social Security Numbers to obtain commercial driver’s licenses in Texas, even though they entered the U.S. illegally and may have been previously been deported by U.S. Immigration officials.