Last updated: October 6, 2026|General Texas freight broker bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.

Federal + State Layer — Both Explained

Texas Freight BrokerBond Requirements

Texas is the gateway for 67% of all U.S.-Mexico freight — $553 billion in goods annually through Laredo, El Paso, and the Gulf ports. Most Texas freight brokers need the $75,000 FMCSA freight broker bond (the federal BMC-84). A separate state bond exists under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 646 — but whether you owe it depends on one critical distinction explained below.

$75,000

Federal Bond

$10,000

TX State Bond*

~1%–4% of $75K

Typical Premium

Prompt

Submission

*Texas TxDMV intrastate bond — most brokers with FMCSA authority are exempt. See below.

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Get Your Texas BMC-84 Bond

Electronic FMCSA filing — all credit levels reviewed

Quick answer

A BMC-84 freight broker bond is the $75,000 federal surety bond FMCSA requires before it will grant or keep a property broker's operating authority, whether your brokerage is based in Texas or arranges loads through the state. Texas requires a $10,000 TxDMV bond only for intrastate-only brokers without federal authority; brokers with an active FMCSA MC number are exempt. You pay a yearly premium that is a small percentage of $75,000 (an estimate; the carrier sets the final price), not the full amount.

Who requires it: FMCSA, for every property broker and freight forwarder in interstate commerce (49 U.S.C. 13906; 49 CFR 387.307).
Amount: $75,000, set by federal law. A BMC-85 trust fund of $75,000 is the alternative.
Typical cost (estimate): about 1%–4% of $75,000 per year with good credit, roughly $750–$3,000. The carrier sets the final price.
Timing: We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes within one business day.

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Official Federal (FMCSA) Requirements

"A broker shall provide a surety bond, trust fund agreement, or other financial security in the amount of $75,000 in a form, manner, and amount as the Secretary may prescribe."

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — 49 CFR § 387.307 • 49 CFR § 387.307

Does Texas Require a Bond Beyond the Federal BMC-84?

This is the question every Texas broker asks — and the answer turns on whether you hold federal FMCSA property broker authority.

You Hold FMCSA Authority (MC#)

BMC-84 required: $75,000 federal bond (49 CFR §387.307)
TxDMV intrastate bond: NOT required. Texas Transportation Code §646.003 explicitly exempts brokers registered under 49 U.S.C. §13904 (FMCSA federal authority) from the state bond.
Can broker Houston-to-Dallas lanes in addition to interstate loads — no additional state bond owed.

Total bonding cost: $750–$11,250/yr (BMC-84 only)

No FMCSA Authority — Texas Only

TxDMV intrastate bond required: $10,000 under Tex. Transp. Code §646.003, filed with TxDMV per 43 TAC §218.41.
BMC-84 not required if you broker only Texas-origin and Texas-destination loads and have no federal authority.
Operating without the §646.003 bond is a Class C misdemeanor under §646.004.

Total bonding cost: ~$100–$150/yr (TxDMV bond only)

The Practical Reality for Most Texas Brokers

Virtually every active Texas freight broker eventually arranges an interstate shipment — a Dallas-to-Kansas City run on I-35, produce out of the Rio Grande Valley to markets in Tennessee, petrochemicals from Houston's Ship Channel to refineries in Louisiana. The moment you arrange a load crossing state lines, FMCSA jurisdiction applies and the BMC-84 is mandatory. Brokers who start with intrastate-only operations should plan to obtain federal authority early; the TxDMV $10,000 bond cannot substitute for the federal BMC-84 on interstate loads.

Why Texas Freight Brokerage Is Uniquely Complex

Texas operates three distinct freight corridors, each with different regulatory exposures for brokers. Understanding your corridor determines which bonds you actually need.

I-35 NAFTA Spine

Laredo (Port of Entry) → San Antonio → Austin → Dallas/Fort Worth → northbound to Kansas City and Chicago. More than 30% of all I-35 traffic is commercial trucks — the highest percentage of any Texas interstate. Port Laredo alone cleared $353.9 billion in cross-border trade in 2025. Brokers in this corridor need the BMC-84 for every load — Laredo pickups cross an international boundary.

Bond needed: BMC-84 ($75,000)

I-10 Gulf & Port Corridor

Houston Ship Channel (Port of Houston — #1 U.S. foreign tonnage port) → Beaumont → eastbound into Louisiana and Florida. Petrochemicals, LNG, and manufactured goods dominate. Brokers here frequently handle port drayage plus outbound line-haul — two different regulatory environments. Drayage within the port may be intrastate; the line-haul leg is interstate. Both legs together require the BMC-84.

Bond needed: BMC-84 ($75,000)

Texas-Only Regional Freight

Agricultural produce brokers in the Rio Grande Valley, local construction materials haulers, West Texas oilfield supply chain brokers serving exclusively in-state operators. If every load originates and terminates in Texas and you hold no FMCSA authority, TxDMV Chapter 646 applies — $10,000 state bond, roughly $100–$150/yr. Most brokers in this category eventually outgrow it as customers request out-of-state lanes.

Bond needed: TxDMV $10,000

Agricultural & Produce Freight — Perishables Add Urgency

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the largest produce-producing regions in the United States. Brokers specializing in perishables — citrus, vegetables, melon — frequently handle loads that move from Valley farms to terminal markets in Dallas, Chicago, or Miami. These are interstate lanes that require the federal BMC-84. The practical risk for produce brokers is higher than in general freight: a bond lapse or authority suspension during peak harvest season can terminate a season's customer relationships overnight. Under the January 2026 FMCSA rules, if a carrier files a claim that draws your bond below $75,000, FMCSA gives written notice and you have 7 business days to replenish or face suspension. Planning ahead for peak season — confirm your renewal is processed before March citrus season and before October squash/melon peak — matters in Texas more than in most states.

Most Texas freight brokers on the I-35 or I-10 corridors need a BMC-84 in place before their first load. most quotes within one business day, all credit levels reviewed.

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What Texas Freight Brokers Pay for Their BMC-84

The $75,000 bond amount is identical for Texas as for every other state — it's a federal requirement. What varies is your premium rate, which is driven by personal credit score and operating history. See the full surety bond cost guide for additional underwriting factors.

Texas BMC-84 Annual Premium by Credit Score

Based on a $75,000 bond amount

Credit ScoreEst. Annual Cost

Excellent (750+)Rate: 1.0%–1.5%
$750–$1,125
Good (700–749)Rate: 1.25%–2.5%
$938–$1,875
Average (650–699)Rate: 3%–5.5%
$2,250–$4,125
Fair (580–649)Rate: 5%–8%
$3,750–$6,000
Challenged (<580)Rate: 8%–15%
$6,000–$11,250

Premiums are annual percentages of the $75,000 bond amount. New Texas brokers without operating history typically pay $1,500–$9,000 even at good credit due to underwriting adjustments for lack of track record. Texas BMC-85 trust fund (full $75,000 deposit) involves no surety credit check but ties up capital.

What Texas Underwriters Actually Look At

Credit Score

Personal credit is the primary factor. All three bureaus are pulled. A 680 FICO is roughly the threshold between standard and elevated-rate tiers at most carriers.

Operating History

Texas brokers with 2+ years of authority and a clean claims record qualify for preferred tier pricing. Brand-new operators face a first-year surcharge regardless of credit score.

Prior Bond Claims

A single paid claim against a prior BMC-84 can double your renewal rate or result in a non-renewal. Some carriers exit entirely on a second claim.

Business Financial Statements

Higher-volume Texas brokers (especially those active in the Laredo corridor) may need to submit balance sheets and P&L statements for preferred rates. Strong current ratio and positive working capital can offset marginal personal credit.

Producer's Desk: What We See on Texas Freight Broker Applications

The most common reason a Texas freight broker application goes to the elevated-rate tier is not a low credit score — it's a combination of new authority (less than 12 months) and a credit file that shows recent collections in the 60–90 day range. Carriers view that combination as a signal of cash flow stress precisely when a broker is trying to build carrier relationships and process receivables. For brokers in that situation, the BMC-85 trust fund deserves a real look: depositing $75,000 bypasses the credit underwrite entirely and can free up the first 12–18 months to build a clean payment track record before switching back to a bond at a better rate.

Texas Transportation Code Chapter 646: The State Bond Layer

Chapter 646 at a Glance

§646.001Defines “motor transportation broker” as a person who, for compensation, arranges or offers to arrange the transportation of property by a motor vehicle in intrastate commerce.

§646.003Requires a bond of at least $10,000 executed by a Texas-authorized bonding company, payable to the state or any person to whom the broker provides services. Bond conditions include faithful performance of all transportation contracts. Exempts brokers registered under 49 U.S.C. §13904 (federal FMCSA authority).

§646.004Operating without the required bond is a Class C misdemeanor — enforceable by TxDMV through penalty or license action.

43 TAC §218.41TxDMV rule specifying bond form requirements: $10,000 stated amount, “faithful performance” language, and mandatory 30-day written cancellation notice.

The Exemption Language — Read This Carefully

Texas Transportation Code §646.003 states that the intrastate bond is not required if the broker is “registered as a broker under 49 U.S.C. §13904.” That is the federal broker registration statute — the same statute under which FMCSA grants property broker operating authority and MC numbers. Holding an active MC number is sufficient. You do not need to separately notify TxDMV or file anything with TxDMV to claim this exemption. The federal filing itself is the exemption trigger.

Official source: Texas Transportation Code Chapter 646 — Texas Legislature

Getting FMCSA Broker Authority in Texas: The 4-Step Process

Full timeline is 4–6 weeks from application to active authority. See our complete guide to getting broker authority.

Apply to FMCSA Motus registration system

1–2 days

Submit your application at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov with your legal entity name, Texas business address, and principal information. Pay the $300 non-refundable fee. Upon acceptance, FMCSA assigns your MC number. Texas businesses: use your registered entity name exactly as it appears with the Texas Secretary of State.

File Your BMC-84 Bond

24–48 hours

Apply for your $75,000 surety bond with your MC number, EIN, and SSN for underwriting. After approval and premium payment, the surety files electronically with FMCSA — typically appearing in FMCSA systems within 2–3 business days. Filing the BMC-84 also triggers the Texas §646.003 exemption, so no separate TxDMV intrastate bond is needed.

File BOC-3 Process Agents

1–2 days

File Form BOC-3 designating a process agent in every state where you conduct business. As a Texas-based broker working I-35 northbound, that typically means agents in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and any other state your lanes touch. Many process agent services cover all 50 states for a flat fee.

Clear the 10-Day Protest Period

10+ days

Your application appears in the FMCSA Register for 10 calendar days. After the protest period closes without opposition, FMCSA activates your authority. You cannot arrange interstate freight until your FMCSA status shows ACTIVE in the Licensing and Insurance system.

Texas note: Registering your business with the Texas Secretary of State (LLC or Corporation) and obtaining a Texas EIN are prerequisites before applying for FMCSA authority. Sole proprietors operating under a DBA should verify their assumed name certificate is current with their county clerk before beginning the FMCSA application.

January 2026 FMCSA Rule Changes — What Texas Brokers Must Know

The Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility rule (88 FR 78656) took full effect January 16, 2026. These are not proposals — they are current FMCSA enforcement rules.

7-Business-Day Replenishment Rule

If a claim payment reduces your bond below $75,000, FMCSA gives written notice and you have 7 business days to restore full coverage before your authority is suspended. For Texas brokers active on high-volume Laredo lanes with multiple carrier relationships, this window can be tight.

Surety Notification

Sureties must notify FMCSA within 2 business days of any claim payment that reduces your coverage below $75,000. That notice prompts FMCSA's written notice to you, which starts the 7-business-day cure period.

BMC-85 Trust Fund Restrictions

As of January 2026, BMC-85 trust funds may contain only cash, irrevocable letters of credit from federally insured depository institutions, or Treasury bonds, and loan and finance companies can no longer serve as trustees.

Enhanced Surety Enforcement

FMCSA can now suspend non-compliant surety providers from the program for up to 3 years with penalties of $12,882 per violation. Choosing a carrier with a strong compliance record matters more than it did before January 2026.

Read the complete BMC-84 bond guide →

BMC-84 Bond vs. BMC-85 Trust Fund: Texas Perspective

Most Texas freight brokers use the BMC-84 bond. The full BMC-84 vs. BMC-85 comparison covers all factors in detail. Here is the capital-efficiency comparison that drives most Texas broker decisions:

Factor	BMC-84 Surety Bond	BMC-85 Trust Fund
Upfront capital required	$750–$11,250/yr (premium)	Full $75,000 deposit
Credit check	Yes — drives premium rate	None (cash deposit instead)
Working capital preserved	✓ $73,250–$74,250 stays in your business	✗ $75,000 tied up
January 2026 changes	Unaffected	Restricted asset classes
Best for	Most Texas brokers	Well-capitalized, poor credit, or high-claim-risk ops

Texas Freight Broker Bond — Frequently Asked Questions

Questions specific to Texas brokerage, I-35 corridor operations, and the federal-state bond interaction

Does Texas require a separate state bond in addition to the federal BMC-84?

It depends on your operating scope. Texas Transportation Code §646.003 requires a $10,000 intrastate broker bond from the TxDMV for brokers moving freight entirely within Texas. However, §646.003 expressly exempts brokers already registered under 49 U.S.C. §13904 (federal FMCSA property broker authority). If you hold an active FMCSA MC number, your $75,000 BMC-84 covers you and no TxDMV bond is needed — even for Houston-to-Dallas lanes. Only pure intrastate-only brokers without federal authority owe the $10,000 Texas bond.

How much does a Texas freight broker bond cost in 2026?

The $75,000 BMC-84 bond (required for all Texas freight brokers with interstate authority) runs $750–$11,250 annually depending on credit score. Excellent credit (750+) pays 1%–1.5% or $750–$1,125/yr. Good credit (700–749) pays 1.25%–2.5% or $938–$1,875/yr. Average credit (650–699) pays 3%–5.5%. Fair credit (580–649) pays 5%–8%. New brokers without operating history typically pay $1,500–$9,000 regardless of credit. Texas brokers needing the separate TxDMV intrastate bond ($10,000) pay roughly $100–$150/yr for that bond alone.

Do I need an FMCSA bond if I only broker freight within Texas?

Probably not. The FMCSA BMC-84 bond is required only for brokers arranging interstate transportation — loads where at least one endpoint crosses state lines. If you arrange only intrastate Texas freight (Houston-Dallas, San Antonio-Austin, etc.) and do not hold federal property broker authority, you need the Texas TxDMV intrastate bond ($10,000) rather than the federal BMC-84. However, most Texas freight brokers eventually take an interstate load on I-35 or through the Gulf ports, at which point federal registration and the BMC-84 become mandatory.

What happens to my Texas broker authority if my BMC-84 bond lapses or falls below $75,000?

Under the January 16, 2026 FMCSA rule (88 FR 78656), if a claim payment reduces your bond below $75,000, FMCSA gives written notice and will suspend your operating authority unless you replenish it within 7 business days. The surety must notify FMCSA within 2 business days of any drawdown below the threshold. For Texas brokers working the Laredo corridor or Gulf port lanes, an authority suspension even for a week can cost far more than a renewal premium.

Does the federal BMC-84 cover my Mexico cross-border moves through Laredo?

The BMC-84 covers your role as a property broker in U.S. interstate commerce under FMCSA authority. Cross-border moves from a Texas origin to a Mexican destination — or vice versa — are international shipments beyond FMCSA's domestic broker framework. For Mexico cross-border moves, carriers and their customs brokers typically hold separate Mexican trucking authority (SCT), and U.S. freight brokers arranging such moves should consult counsel on their specific liability exposure. The BMC-84 does not function as cargo insurance or replace the Mexican carrier's liability documentation.

Can I broker freight in Texas with bad credit?

Yes. Texas freight broker bonds are available at all credit levels. Poor credit (below 580) moves to the 8%–15% rate tier, meaning premiums of $6,000–$11,250 annually on the $75,000 BMC-84. Some carriers require collateral at this tier. The BMC-85 trust fund alternative — depositing the full $75,000 in cash or eligible securities — is a credit-free option but requires significant upfront capital.

Who needs a Texas freight broker bond?

Any broker arranging interstate transportation, meaning loads where at least one endpoint crosses state lines, needs the $75,000 BMC-84 under FMCSA authority. A broker who arranges only intrastate Texas freight and holds no federal property broker authority needs the $10,000 TxDMV intrastate bond under Texas Transportation Code §646.003 instead.

How do I get a Texas freight broker bond?

Request a BMC-84 quote with the form on this page. You apply for the $75,000 surety bond with your MC number, EIN, and SSN for underwriting; after approval and premium payment, the surety files electronically with FMCSA, typically appearing in FMCSA systems within 2–3 business days.

What happens after I apply for a Texas freight broker bond?

We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes come back within one business day. Once the surety files your BMC-84 with FMCSA, your authority activates after the protest period closes without opposition, and you cannot arrange interstate freight until your FMCSA status shows ACTIVE.

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Texas Auto Dealer Bonds

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Related Freight Broker Resources

BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond GuideComplete federal bond guide

BMC-84 Bond Learning Center GuideIn-depth regulatory analysis

Freight Broker Bond Cost by StateCompare premium rates nationally

BMC-84 vs. BMC-85 ComparisonBond vs. trust fund decision guide

How to Get Freight Broker AuthorityStep-by-step FMCSA authority guide

BMC-84 Bond Cost CalculatorEstimate your annual premium by credit score

Surety Bond Cost GuideHow premiums are calculated across bond types

Surety Bond Renewal GuideKeep your FMCSA authority active

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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer

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Est. 1%–4% of $75K (good credit)

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State-specific guidance for filing your $75,000 BMC-84 and securing FMCSA property broker authority.

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