TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY LATEST EXAM 2026/2027 &
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL
ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS) CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED PASS A+ (BRAND NEW!) FULL
REVISED TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY APPROVED TEST
1. According to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 43, Part 10, which
classification of motor carrier is required to file proof of financial responsibility
with the Texas Motor Carrier Authority (TMCA) before operating?
A) Intrastate private carriers transporting only their own goods
B) All for-hire motor carriers and certain private carriers transporting hazardous
materials
C) Only interstate carriers operating under a federal USDOT number
D) Carriers operating exclusively within a single municipality with a population
under 50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B) All for-hire motor carriers and certain private carriers
transporting hazardous materials
Rationale: TAC 43.10.3 explicitly requires for-hire intrastate carriers and private
carriers transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring a permit to file
proof of financial responsibility. Option A is incorrect because private carriers
not hauling hazmat are exempt. Option C is incorrect—interstate carriers follow
federal rules, not TMCA’s intrastate bond requirement. Option D is incorrect
because municipal operation does not waive state financial responsibility rules.
2. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required under TMCA rules
for a for-hire motor carrier operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more transporting non-hazardous cargo?
A) 300,000B)300,000B)500,000
C) 750,000D)750,000D)1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 500,000∗∗
Rationale: ∗∗PerTAC43.10.4,
for−hirecarriersoperatingvehiclesover26,001lbstransportinggeneralfreightmustc
arryatleast500,000∗∗Rationale: ∗∗PerTAC43.10.4,
,for−hirecarriersoperatingvehiclesover26,001lbstransportinggeneralfreightmustc
arryatleast500,000 combined single limit liability. Option A (300,000)
appliestovehicles10,001–26,000lbs. OptionC (300,000) appliestovehicles10,001–
26,000lbs. OptionC (750,000) is for oil field waste or certain hazardous materials.
Option D ($1,000,000) is required for transport of hazardous substances in
reportable quantities.
3. A motor carrier registered with TMCA must display which identification on
each commercial motor vehicle operating intrastate?
A) USDOT number only
B) TXDOT number and the carrier’s legal name
C) TMCA-issued carrier identification number and the word "Texas"
D) Any state-issued apportioned plate number
CORRECT ANSWER: C) TMCA-issued carrier identification number and the
word "Texas"
Rationale: TAC 43.10.11 requires that each vehicle display the TMCA-assigned
number followed by "Texas" in contrasting color, visible from 50 feet. Option A
(USDOT only) is insufficient for intrastate TMCA compliance. Option B
(TXDOT number) is not the correct terminology. Option D is unrelated to TMCA
identification marking requirements.
4. Which of the following offenses is a Class A misdemeanor under the Texas
Transportation Code related to motor carrier authority?
A) Operating without a valid Certificate of Registration for more than 5 days
B) Falsifying a vehicle inspection report
C) Knowingly operating a motor carrier without required insurance resulting in
death or serious injury
D) Failing to display a TMCA number on one trailer
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Knowingly operating a motor carrier without required
insurance resulting in death or serious injury
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.18 states a person commits a Class
A misdemeanor if they knowingly operate without financial responsibility and
cause death or serious injury. Options A and D are administrative violations with
civil penalties. Option B is typically a Class C misdemeanor unless part of a
fraudulent scheme.
5. Under TMCA rules, how long must a motor carrier retain driver vehicle
inspection reports (DVIRs) if no defects were reported?
A) 7 days
, B) 30 days
C) 90 days
D) 1 year
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 30 days
Rationale: TAC 43.10.6 requires retention of DVIRs for 30 days from the date of
inspection when no defects are noted. If defects were reported and repaired,
retention is 90 days. Option A (7 days) is insufficient. Option C (90 days) applies
only to defect reports. Option D (1 year) applies to logs and other documents
under federal rules but not TMCA’s specific DVIR retention.
6. A Texas intrastate motor carrier transporting household goods from Houston to
Dallas must hold which specific TMCA authority?
A) Common carrier certificate
B) Contract carrier permit
C) Household goods carrier certificate
D) Temporary registered authority
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Household goods carrier certificate
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.101 creates a specific household
goods carrier certificate for intrastate moving. Options A and B are general
classifications that do not specifically authorize household goods transport.
Option D is temporary (90 days or less) and not for permanent household goods
operations.
7. Which of the following vehicles is EXEMPT from obtaining TMCA
registration?
A) A farm truck hauling poultry feed from a dealer to a farm, GVWR 30,000 lbs.
B) A for-hire hot shot carrier hauling steel pipe, GVWR 32,000 lbs.
C) A truck transporting hazardous waste intrastate for compensation
D) A bus carrying 20 passengers for a casino tour company
CORRECT ANSWER: A) A farm truck hauling poultry feed from a dealer to a
farm, GVWR 30,000 lbs.
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.001 exempts farm vehicles hauling
farm products or supplies to or from a farm, owned by the farmer or under lease
for 30 days or more, not for-hire. Option B is for-hire not exempt. Option C is
regulated hazardous waste hauler. Option D is a for-hire passenger carrier.
8. What is the maximum civil penalty per violation that TMCA may impose on a
motor carrier for operating without authority?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL
ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS) CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED PASS A+ (BRAND NEW!) FULL
REVISED TEXAS MOTOR CARRIER AUTHORITY APPROVED TEST
1. According to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 43, Part 10, which
classification of motor carrier is required to file proof of financial responsibility
with the Texas Motor Carrier Authority (TMCA) before operating?
A) Intrastate private carriers transporting only their own goods
B) All for-hire motor carriers and certain private carriers transporting hazardous
materials
C) Only interstate carriers operating under a federal USDOT number
D) Carriers operating exclusively within a single municipality with a population
under 50,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B) All for-hire motor carriers and certain private carriers
transporting hazardous materials
Rationale: TAC 43.10.3 explicitly requires for-hire intrastate carriers and private
carriers transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring a permit to file
proof of financial responsibility. Option A is incorrect because private carriers
not hauling hazmat are exempt. Option C is incorrect—interstate carriers follow
federal rules, not TMCA’s intrastate bond requirement. Option D is incorrect
because municipal operation does not waive state financial responsibility rules.
2. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required under TMCA rules
for a for-hire motor carrier operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more transporting non-hazardous cargo?
A) 300,000B)300,000B)500,000
C) 750,000D)750,000D)1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 500,000∗∗
Rationale: ∗∗PerTAC43.10.4,
for−hirecarriersoperatingvehiclesover26,001lbstransportinggeneralfreightmustc
arryatleast500,000∗∗Rationale: ∗∗PerTAC43.10.4,
,for−hirecarriersoperatingvehiclesover26,001lbstransportinggeneralfreightmustc
arryatleast500,000 combined single limit liability. Option A (300,000)
appliestovehicles10,001–26,000lbs. OptionC (300,000) appliestovehicles10,001–
26,000lbs. OptionC (750,000) is for oil field waste or certain hazardous materials.
Option D ($1,000,000) is required for transport of hazardous substances in
reportable quantities.
3. A motor carrier registered with TMCA must display which identification on
each commercial motor vehicle operating intrastate?
A) USDOT number only
B) TXDOT number and the carrier’s legal name
C) TMCA-issued carrier identification number and the word "Texas"
D) Any state-issued apportioned plate number
CORRECT ANSWER: C) TMCA-issued carrier identification number and the
word "Texas"
Rationale: TAC 43.10.11 requires that each vehicle display the TMCA-assigned
number followed by "Texas" in contrasting color, visible from 50 feet. Option A
(USDOT only) is insufficient for intrastate TMCA compliance. Option B
(TXDOT number) is not the correct terminology. Option D is unrelated to TMCA
identification marking requirements.
4. Which of the following offenses is a Class A misdemeanor under the Texas
Transportation Code related to motor carrier authority?
A) Operating without a valid Certificate of Registration for more than 5 days
B) Falsifying a vehicle inspection report
C) Knowingly operating a motor carrier without required insurance resulting in
death or serious injury
D) Failing to display a TMCA number on one trailer
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Knowingly operating a motor carrier without required
insurance resulting in death or serious injury
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.18 states a person commits a Class
A misdemeanor if they knowingly operate without financial responsibility and
cause death or serious injury. Options A and D are administrative violations with
civil penalties. Option B is typically a Class C misdemeanor unless part of a
fraudulent scheme.
5. Under TMCA rules, how long must a motor carrier retain driver vehicle
inspection reports (DVIRs) if no defects were reported?
A) 7 days
, B) 30 days
C) 90 days
D) 1 year
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 30 days
Rationale: TAC 43.10.6 requires retention of DVIRs for 30 days from the date of
inspection when no defects are noted. If defects were reported and repaired,
retention is 90 days. Option A (7 days) is insufficient. Option C (90 days) applies
only to defect reports. Option D (1 year) applies to logs and other documents
under federal rules but not TMCA’s specific DVIR retention.
6. A Texas intrastate motor carrier transporting household goods from Houston to
Dallas must hold which specific TMCA authority?
A) Common carrier certificate
B) Contract carrier permit
C) Household goods carrier certificate
D) Temporary registered authority
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Household goods carrier certificate
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.101 creates a specific household
goods carrier certificate for intrastate moving. Options A and B are general
classifications that do not specifically authorize household goods transport.
Option D is temporary (90 days or less) and not for permanent household goods
operations.
7. Which of the following vehicles is EXEMPT from obtaining TMCA
registration?
A) A farm truck hauling poultry feed from a dealer to a farm, GVWR 30,000 lbs.
B) A for-hire hot shot carrier hauling steel pipe, GVWR 32,000 lbs.
C) A truck transporting hazardous waste intrastate for compensation
D) A bus carrying 20 passengers for a casino tour company
CORRECT ANSWER: A) A farm truck hauling poultry feed from a dealer to a
farm, GVWR 30,000 lbs.
Rationale: Texas Transportation Code §643.001 exempts farm vehicles hauling
farm products or supplies to or from a farm, owned by the farmer or under lease
for 30 days or more, not for-hire. Option B is for-hire not exempt. Option C is
regulated hazardous waste hauler. Option D is a for-hire passenger carrier.
8. What is the maximum civil penalty per violation that TMCA may impose on a
motor carrier for operating without authority?
