Texas Hazmat Carrier Market: 11,002 Authorized, 170 RCRA-Verified

Market Overview: One of the Nation’s Largest Hazmat Fleets

Texas maintains one of the largest hazmat transportation markets in the country, with 11,002 FMCSA hazmat-authorized carriers on record and 10,613 currently active and authorized to operate. This fleet capacity serves the state’s industrial base from Gulf Coast petrochemical facilities to manufacturing centers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

Within this carrier universe, 170 operators hold verified EPA Site IDs for RCRA-regulated hazardous waste transportation. This 1.6% subset reflects the specialized nature of RCRA waste handling, which requires distinct federal authorization beyond standard DOT hazmat endorsements. EPA Hazardous Waste Transporter status is a positive credential signaling that a carrier has completed EPA registration and is trackable in the national hazardous waste manifest system. Carriers without this credential are not out of compliance; they simply operate outside the RCRA waste stream.

Fleet Scale Among Top Operators

The market includes several large-fleet operators. JD’s Wrecker Service operates 11,390 units out of Mart, Texas. United Rentals North America maintains 8,747 units from Irving. Roofline Inc. operates 4,834 units from McKinney, BNSF Railway Company fields 2,987 units from Fort Worth, and Consolidated Electrical Distributors runs 2,545 units from Irving. These top operators represent significant concentration in the state’s hazmat-authorized fleet capacity.

Safety Metrics and Compliance Indicators

Texas hazmat carriers average a 6.71% driver out-of-service rate, exceeding the national average of 5.15% and close to the federal intervention threshold of 6.67%. Vehicle out-of-service rates average 14.51% across the state’s carrier base. These metrics indicate that carriers operating in Texas face heightened scrutiny during roadside inspections, making carrier vetting particularly important for shippers and brokers tendering loads through the state.

Across the active carrier base, 1,383 carriers have recorded crash incidents on their FMCSA safety profiles. On the administrative side, 3,302 active carriers operate with overdue MCS-150 filings, the biennial update required to maintain current FMCSA records. While not immediately disqualifying, overdue filings can signal gaps in regulatory compliance management.

Implications for Waste Generators and Brokers

For compliance officers managing hazardous waste shipments in Texas, the distinction between DOT hazmat authority and EPA RCRA transport registration remains important. The 170 verified EPA hazardous waste transporters represent operators specifically equipped and authorized for RCRA-regulated waste streams, with enhanced manifesting, tracking, and liability coverage requirements.

The state’s large carrier base provides substantial capacity for routine hazmat shipments, but the safety metrics and compliance indicators suggest careful carrier qualification remains essential. Brokers and shippers can search Texas hazmat carriers with full compliance profiles, safety data, and EPA registration status at app.envirologistics.online.

Helpful Resources

• Texas TCEQ Industrial and Hazardous Waste Registration — the state agency process for transporter registration referenced in this analysis.
• FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot — verify any Texas carrier’s hazmat authority and safety data by DOT number.
• RCRAInfo Search (Envirofacts) — confirm EPA Hazardous Waste Transporter status for Texas carriers.
• FMCSA Form MCS-150 — the biennial filing referenced for the 3,302 Texas carriers with overdue updates.