Starting out, what all do I need to be legal in Texas?

A good source for information for operating in the state of Texas, would be you state trucking association. Link Texastrucking

Also, OOIDA has a lot of information, check that web site.

 

try posting in the O/O forum.

 

Green card ...

 

You beat me to it. Lol

 

If you are going to run solely intrastate (within Texas) you don't need an IRP, IFTA or Apportioned Plates. You can use a combination plate on the tractor. You will have to register the tractor based on the gross weight you plan on hauling. The trailer plate in Texas is cheap. You will want a token plate for the trailer. A farm trailer plate will work, but you have to stay within a 105 miles (or so) of the place where the trailer is registered. You will need to join a drug testing consortium. If you are going to run interstate then you need the IRP, IFTA and Apportioned Plates. Running in another state with a combination plate requires a trip permit in each state and that is a pain. If you stay within Texas you are not required to have E-logs until December 2018 unless your tractor is a 2000 or older model. This information is based on my experience and I run solely within Texas at the moment. Some of the rules may have changed since I got everything set up. The state of Texas has some decent handbooks that you can get as well.

 

Would be some goods posts on this in the O/O section.

 

Rocking 4M is spot on.

If you stay in Texas you don’t need IFTA or IRP.

IRP is the apportioned registration. It has nothing to do with whose trailer you pull it has to do with splitting up your registration fees if you run in numerous states.

IFTA is the fuel tax. Essentially you have to keep track of all miles driven and where you buy fuel and they split up the fuel taxes among the states based on what percentage of your driving was there.

Getting a MC number (also referred to as authority) allows you to haul for hire across state lines. The MC number itself is cheap but you will need a commercial auto policy that files a form with the FMCSA before it activates. Getting insurance that will file this form is expensive. Five figures expensive.

If you only operate in Texas you need intrastate authority from the Texas DMV and they too require an insurance filing but the insurance can be had much cheaper.