⚠️ July 1, 2026 deadline — ? days left. Texas HB 2844 requires every food truck to hold a new DSHS state license to operate. Operating after June 30 without one is a violation subject to fines and shutdown.
Apply on DSHS → Find my tier ↓

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Built for the Waco–Austin corridor. Expanding statewide.

Permits, compliance, bookings — all in one place, always free.

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HB 2844 Permit Wizard

Find your DSHS license tier, exact fees, and required steps in under 60 seconds.

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Compliance Dashboard

Track permit renewals, health inspections, and local zoning deadlines in one view.

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Catering Booking Widget

Embed a booking form on your site. Customers pick dates, pay deposits, done.

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Location Revenue Tracker

Log daily revenue by stop. See which spots actually make money over time.

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What changed — and why it matters

Texas passed HB 2844 in 2025. Starting July 1, 2026, the patchwork of city and county health permits is gone. Every food truck in Texas now needs a single DSHS state license to operate — anywhere in the state. Your old city permit does not carry over.

The good news: one license covers the whole state. You can serve in Austin, Waco, and Killeen without re-permitting in each city.

The deadline: Applications opened June 1. If you submit before July 1 (with payment), you can keep operating while DSHS processes your license. After June 30 without a submitted application, you are not legal to operate.
Find my tier in 2 questions ↓
HB 2844 Texas Food Truck Permit Wizard
What's your DSHS license tier?

 Texas Mobile Food Unit Permit Finder

Answer 2 questions to find your license tier, exact fees, and required steps.

Question 1 of 2
Do you cook raw ingredients on your truck — grilling, frying, or preparing meals from scratch?
Question 2 of 2
Do you reheat, assemble, or prep food from partially prepared ingredients?
Tier 3 — Full Preparation
You need a full-prep Mobile Food Unit license.
Applies to trucks that cook raw ingredients on-site.
Application fee
$850
Paid at submission
Pre-licensing inspection
$500
Paid before inspection
Total upfront
$1,350
Annual renewal: $500

Local zoning still applies. Your DSHS license lets you operate anywhere in Texas — but each city controls where you can park.

1
Gather your documents
  • Business name, address, owner name and contact info
  • Vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number
  • Full menu with preparation methods described
  • Food handler certificates for all staff
  • Food Manager certification (at least one per operation)
2
Commissary / water source
Do you need a commissary? Maybe not — but you need to prove it. DSHS requires either (a) a commissary agreement letter, OR (b) documentation that your truck is self-sufficient: approved potable water source, proper grey water disposal, and sized warewashing. Most full-cooking trucks will need a commissary. If you're unsure, assume yes and get an agreement with a licensed commercial kitchen.
3
One rule most operators don't know about
📍 Location itinerary requirement Under §226.8(d), you must provide DSHS a 7-day advance schedule of where you plan to operate. The simplest way to comply: post your weekly schedule on Instagram or your website. DSHS inspectors use this to find you for random health inspections. If they can't find you, your license can be suspended. If you use an online ordering platform that shows your schedule, you may already be covered.
4
Submit your application

You're ready. Go to DSHS, create an account, and start your Mobile Food Unit application.

Start your DSHS application
Tier 2 — Limited Preparation
You need a limited-prep Mobile Food Unit license.
Applies to trucks that reheat, assemble, or prep from partially prepared ingredients.
Application fee
$600
Paid at submission
Pre-licensing inspection
$400
Paid before inspection
Total upfront
$1,000
Annual renewal: $400

Local zoning still applies. Your DSHS license lets you operate anywhere in Texas — but each city controls where you can park.

1
Gather your documents
  • Business name, address, owner name and contact info
  • Vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number
  • Full menu with preparation methods described
  • Food handler certificates for all staff
2
Commissary / water source
Do you need a commissary? Maybe not — but you need to prove it. DSHS requires either (a) a commissary agreement letter, OR (b) documentation that your truck is self-sufficient: approved potable water source, proper grey water disposal, and sized warewashing. Most full-cooking trucks will need a commissary. If you're unsure, assume yes and get an agreement with a licensed commercial kitchen.
3
One rule most operators don't know about
📍 Location itinerary requirement Under §226.8(d), you must provide DSHS a 7-day advance schedule of where you plan to operate. The simplest way to comply: post your weekly schedule on Instagram or your website. DSHS inspectors use this to find you for random health inspections. If they can't find you, your license can be suspended. If you use an online ordering platform that shows your schedule, you may already be covered.
4
Submit your application

You're ready. Go to DSHS, create an account, and start your Mobile Food Unit application.

Start your DSHS application
Tier 1 — Prepackaged Only
You need a prepackaged Mobile Food Unit license.
Applies to trucks that sell only commercially sealed, prepackaged items.
Total upfront
$300
Annual renewal: $300

Local zoning still applies. Your DSHS license lets you operate anywhere in Texas — but each city controls where you can park.

1
Gather your documents
  • Business name, address, owner name and contact info
  • Vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number
  • Full product list — all items must be commercially sealed and labeled
2
One rule most operators don't know about
📍 Location itinerary requirement Under §226.8(d), you must provide DSHS a 7-day advance schedule of where you plan to operate. The simplest way to comply: post your weekly schedule on Instagram or your website. DSHS inspectors use this to find you for random health inspections. If they can't find you, your license can be suspended.
3
Submit your application

You're ready. Go to DSHS, create an account, and start your Mobile Food Unit application.

Start your DSHS application
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Built for operators, not lawyers.

aitruckbites.com is a free tool platform for Texas food truck operators. We translate state regulations into plain English and build the tools operators actually need — permit finders, renewal reminders, compliance dashboards, and booking widgets. No paywall. No signup required for the basics.