Original reporting on Texas food truck licensing. We call the Department of State Health Services directly, confirm what operators are actually being told, and publish it with dates and sources — clearly separating published rules from verbal guidance.
A running, dated log of what DSHS is telling operators during the transition — verified by phone and updated as clarification comes in.
DSHS confirmed a significant backlog and no committed turnaround. Why an incomplete application now sends you to the back of the line.
If you held a local permit within the last year and your application is in, DSHS told us you can keep working while it's reviewed.
DSHS confirmed a local permit held within the last year still qualifies you, even if it's already expired. Confirmed on two separate calls.
No formal extension — but Category 1 applications are still being accepted and qualifying operators may keep operating while pending.
Your applicant category determines whether you can keep operating while DSHS processes your application. Here's how to know.
What actually happens to operators who hadn't applied by the deadline — and why waiting costs more than applying.
Everything that changed, your MFV type, fees, CPF rules, and your exact next steps. The full picture in one place.
DSHS confirmed they can't license a hard-connected, stationary unit as mobile. Your city may permit it as a permanent establishment instead — often cheaper, and it skips the transition entirely.
Staying parked doesn't disqualify you — losing the ability to move does. Exactly what keeps a unit "mobile" and what shifts permitting to your local authority.
Two separate agencies, two separate fees — and a jurisdiction reciprocity question HB 2844 never answered.
Six physical checks, the red flags when shopping, and the questions to ask a seller before money changes hands.
DSHS confirmed self-built units are allowed. What's getting rejected is converted horse trailers and novelty builds — here's the distinction.
DSHS fees are the smallest line item. The real total — vehicle, equipment, commissary, and working capital.
Carts aren't a lighter category. Full enclosure, fire extinguisher, hot and cold holding, food-safe materials — and no NSF requirement.
DSHS treats each differently, with different equipment rules. Here's the breakdown before you commit to a format.
Not sure if you're Type I, II, or III? Your type sets your fees and equipment requirements. Two minutes.
A firsthand account — where it happens, what has to be running, how long it takes, what inspectors check.
There's no re-inspection fee for routine corrections — DSHS confirmed it. What failing actually costs you is time in the queue.
Truck on jacks, cold equipment, CPF letter left at home — the small stuff nobody warns you about.
The exact documentation and readiness list from the DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide — straight from the source.
A real statutory deadline most guides miss — plus the "complete application" catch that determines when it starts.
An anonymous operator walks through their actual pre-licensing inspection, question by question.
That's normal — most of this depends on your specific unit, your county, and your category. A review looks at your actual situation instead of the general case.
Every tier credits toward the next — Kit → Review → Guided → Full Service. Nothing you spend is lost if you upgrade.
Application and inspection fees by MFV type, when the inspection fee applies again, and the costs that never appear on a fee schedule.
Your exact DSHS fees by type — plus the fire marshal inspection most sites skip entirely.
The full picture beyond licensing — vehicle, build-out, equipment, commissary, and working capital.
From application to inspection to issued license — the real timeline, and what speeds it up or slows it down.
The exact checklist DSHS uses — most operators assume wrong. Now includes real examples of what counts as a CPF, confirmed with DSHS.
What to actually look for in a commissary beyond just finding one that's open and willing.
The complete reference on Central Preparation Facility requirements, documentation, and authorization letters.
Every equipment requirement DSHS checks at inspection — water tanks, sinks, holding equipment, ventilation.
Separate agency, separate fees, issued locally — and nobody's confirmed whether one jurisdiction's clearance travels.
LP-gas permits, the 25-foot spacing rule, and the fire inspection most guides skip entirely.
Every inspection item, organized by MFV type, ready to print and work through.
A licensed unit can absolutely cater weddings and private events statewide. What you can't do is skip licensing because the event is private.
Your license expires one year from your inspection date. What renewal involves and how to avoid an operating gap.
Proof of insurance is on the DSHS checklist. What that actually means, and what DSHS does and doesn't specify.
Five mistakes costing Texas operators money and downtime — what they are and how to avoid them.
Running a taco truck? You're Type III. What that means, what your inspection covers, and how to pass first time.
The medallion system is gone. What Houston operators need now, including LP-gas and fire marshal requirements.
Dallas County permitting is now preempted by state law. What that changes for local operators.
Metro Health's local permitting replaced by a single statewide license. What changes for you.
What Austin and Travis County operators need under the statewide system.
The 956 has one of the highest concentrations of mobile vendors in Texas. Full bilingual guidance.
What Hidalgo County operators need — including the local permitting path for stationary units.
Tarrant County requirements under the statewide DSHS system.
What El Paso operators need to know about the transition.
Nueces County requirements and what applies to your operation type.
Webb County requirements and bilingual guidance for Laredo operators.
Todos nuestros reportes principales están en español — no traducciones automáticas, escritos para operadores del Valle y de todo Texas.