Updated June 2026Covers all Texas citiesHB 2844 fees
The direct answer.
A Texas food truck permit costs between $309 and $1,376 in government fees, depending on your truck type. Most taco trucks and burger trucks are Type II — which means $618 for the DSHS license plus $400 for the mandatory pre-licensing inspection, totaling $1,018 before you serve your first customer.
These are government fees paid directly to DSHS — separate from any consulting or professional services.
Truck Type
Description
License Fee
Inspection Fee
Total to Start
Type I
Prepackaged foods only — no open food handling
$309
N/A
$309
Type II
Cook-to-order: tacos, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches
Annual Renewal CostsYour DSHS license isn't a one-time fee. Annual renewal includes a routine inspection: $400 for Type II and $500 for Type III. Budget for this every year.
What else costs money?
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit — Free. Required before your DSHS application. Apply at comptroller.texas.gov.
Food Manager Certification — $35–$80 depending on provider. ServSafe is the most common. Required for anyone handling unpackaged TCS foods.
Food Handler Cards — Up to $15 per employee. All food-handling staff must complete within 60 days of hire.
Fire Department Inspection — Varies by city. Required if using propane, fryers, or open flame equipment. Budget $100–$300.
LLC Filing (recommended) — $300 with the Texas Secretary of State. Protects your personal assets.
Business Insurance — General liability + commercial auto: $2,000–$5,000/year depending on coverage and vehicle value.
Commissary Fees (if required) — $300–$600/month if your truck doesn't qualify for the CPF exemption.
Worried about hidden costs? Our $99 review identifies every fee you'll encounter before you spend a dollar on applications — so there are no surprises.
If your truck is fully self-contained under 25 TAC 226.6, you can qualify to operate without a commissary. That saves $300–600/month — $3,600–$7,200 per year. The exemption requires submitting the DSHS CPF Exemption Checklist and a formal variance request. Our $149 add-on handles this entirely.
2. Get it right the first time
A failed pre-licensing inspection costs $400 to reschedule (Type II). A rejected application means weeks of delays and re-filing. The $99 review exists specifically to prevent both — making it one of the cheapest insurance policies in your startup budget.
FAQ — Permit costs.
Do I have to pay DSHS fees every year?
Yes. Your DSHS Mobile Food Vendor license is an annual license. At renewal you pay a routine inspection fee — $400 for Type II and $500 for Type III. The application fee is only paid on initial licensing.
Are government fees included in consulting service fees?
No. Our consulting fees ($99, $397, $1,200) are separate from DSHS fees, inspection fees, and any other government charges. Think of it like hiring a CPA — their fee and your tax payment are two different things.
Is there a way to avoid the $400 pre-licensing inspection fee?
The pre-licensing inspection is mandatory for Type II and Type III operators — there's no way around it. The only way to avoid paying it twice is to pass on the first try. That's where the $99 review pays for itself.
What's the cheapest way to start a food truck in Texas?
Type I license ($309) covers prepackaged foods with no inspection fee. For cook-to-order operations, the minimum government cost is $1,018 for Type II. Getting the commissary exemption ($149 add-on through us) eliminates ongoing commissary fees which are typically the largest recurring cost.
Ready to get started?
Know your costs before you apply.
Our $99 review walks through every fee and requirement for your specific truck and city — no surprises.