In short
- Up front per vehicle: $309 (Type I), $1,018 (Type II), $1,376 (Type III). That is the application fee plus the pre-licensing inspection fee.
- You need one license per vehicle, and the fees multiply by the number of vehicles.
- Routine and complaint inspection fees may apply later; the table shows each.
- A brand-new truck cannot operate until it passes the pre-licensing inspection.
This Texas mobile food vendor license fee calculator shows what the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) charges at application, and which inspection fees may come later. Texas moved food truck licensing to DSHS statewide on 1 July 2026. The fees below are as published by DSHS when we checked on 25 October 2026; confirm on the DSHS Mobile Food Vendors page before paying.
Fees that may apply later
| Fee | Per vehicle | Your vehicles |
|---|
The DSHS fee schedule
The same numbers the calculator uses, as published by DSHS when we checked on 25 October 2026.
| Fee | Type I | Type II | Type III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application (due at submission) | $309 | $618 | $876 |
| Pre-licensing inspection (due at submission) | N/A | $400 | $500 |
| Routine inspection (may apply later) | N/A | $400 | $500 |
| Complaint / compliance (may apply later) | $300 | $400 | $500 |
Confirm before you pay. Fees can change. Check the DSHS Mobile Food Vendors page for the current schedule. This is not legal advice.
What the three types mean
Type I
Sell prepackaged food and no time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods, or are otherwise deemed low risk. Examples: prepackaged ice cream, prepackaged non-TCS snacks.
Type II
Sell prepackaged TCS food needing limited handling, or TCS food prepared to order for immediate service. Examples: coffee trucks, snow cone and hot dog vendors.
Type III
Prepare, cook, hold and serve food from the vehicle. Examples: burger, BBQ and taco trucks.
What happens after you apply
- Submit a complete application
By mail or online. DSHS says it prioritizes inspections once it has verified payment and a complete application.
- Pay the up-front fees
The application fee and the pre-licensing inspection fee, for your type.
- Schedule and pass the inspection
You receive a letter to schedule it. We found no published timeline, so do not book launch events until you have a date.
- Receive the license
It expires one year from the date of your successful pre-licensing inspection.
Building the rest of the budget? Use the food truck break-even calculator, or see the Texas food truck permits checklist for the other registrations. TX Openings also tracks new Texas restaurant and bar filings.
Not legal advice. This page does arithmetic on published fees. Your type, category and fees are decided by DSHS.
Frequently asked questions
Who licenses food trucks in Texas now?
Per DSHS, beginning 1 July 2026 a mobile food vendor must be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to operate a food vending vehicle in Texas. Before that, vendors needed a license from the local health department in each place they operated.
Do I need a separate license for each truck?
Yes. DSHS requires a separate license for each food vending vehicle, so two trucks means two licenses. In the sources we read, DSHS publishes no discount for a second vehicle, so the calculator multiplies the fees by the number of vehicles.
When are the fees due?
The application fee and the pre-licensing inspection fee are due when you submit the application. Application fees include a Texas Online (TOL) fee. Routine and complaint or compliance inspection fees are additional fees that may apply, meaning DSHS charges them when those inspections happen.
How long does the license last?
Per DSHS, the license expires one year from the date of your successful pre-licensing inspection. We did not find step-by-step renewal details, so ask DSHS how renewal works.
Can I operate while I wait for my inspection?
It depends on your category. If you are already licensed by a Texas local health department (Category One) you may operate if you submitted proof of that license, paid the fees and keep the printed application summary and payment receipt on the vehicle. If you are not licensed anywhere in Texas (Category Two, a new truck), you cannot operate until the pre-licensing inspection is completed.
Which type is my truck?
DSHS assigns the type by what you do with food. Its examples: prepackaged ice cream or non-TCS snacks (Type I); coffee, snow cone and hot dog vendors (Type II); burger, BBQ and taco trucks (Type III). If your menu falls between types, ask DSHS in writing which type you are before you pay.