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Lavon Insurance

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Transportation & Motor Carrier Bonds

Trucking Surety Bonds for Texas Motor Carriers & Freight Brokers

Trucking businesses can encounter several very different surety bond requirements depending on whether they are hauling oversized loads, operating under a Texas weight-tolerance permit or arranging freight as a broker.

Lavon Insurance helps Texas motor carriers, transportation businesses and freight brokers identify and obtain the bond required for their operation.

Transportation Bond Solutions

Which Trucking Surety Bond Do You Need?

These bonds address different regulatory and financial responsibility requirements. Start with the description that matches your operation.

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Texas Oversize / Overweight Permits

Texas Oversize Permit Bond

The TxDMV Superheavy or Oversize Permit Bond is a $10,000 permit surety bond issued on Form 439 for qualifying oversize and overweight permit situations.

The bond provides financial security for qualifying highway damage associated with equipment operating under an applicable TxDMV permit.

Learn About the Texas Oversize Permit Bond →
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Freight Brokers & Freight Forwarders

BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond

FMCSA requires property brokers and freight forwarders to maintain $75,000 in financial responsibility. One way to satisfy that requirement is a BMC-84 surety bond.

The bond supports the broker’s or freight forwarder’s financial obligations to motor carriers and shippers under applicable federal requirements.

Learn About the BMC-84 Bond →
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Texas Weight Tolerance Permit

Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Bond

TxDMV Form 1753 is a $15,000 surety bond associated with the Annual Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit.

The permit is designed for qualifying divisible commodities and allows limited axle and gross-weight tolerances subject to TxDMV rules.

Learn About the Over Gross Weight Bond →
Quick Comparison

Three Bonds, Three Different Purposes

$10,000

Texas Oversize Permit Bond

TxDMV Form 439 for qualifying Texas oversize / overweight permit situations.

$75,000

BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond

Federal financial-responsibility bond for brokers and qualifying freight forwarders.

$15,000

Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Bond

TxDMV Form 1753 for the annual weight-tolerance permit.

Keep Your Business Moving

Don’t Let a Bond Requirement Hold Up Your Trucking Operation

Transportation businesses already deal with permits, registration, authority, insurance and regulatory filings. When a surety bond is added to the list, knowing exactly which bond is required matters.

Lavon Insurance can help you identify whether you need a Texas permit bond, an over-axle tolerance bond or a federal freight broker bond and direct you to the appropriate application.

  • Texas motor carrier permit bonds
  • Oversize and overweight permit bond assistance
  • Freight broker BMC-84 bonding
  • Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Form 1753 bonds
  • Trucking insurance and surety resources in one place
Texas Permit Surety

Texas Oversize Permit Bond — Form 439

TxDMV requires a $10,000 Form 439 permit surety bond in certain oversize and overweight permitting situations.

TxDMV states that permit surety bonds must be filed before a permit is issued and generally must be renewed each year before August 31. A fax or electronic copy may be temporarily accepted for 10 days, after which the original must be on file.

The appropriate requirement depends on the permit type and the carrier’s operating-authority circumstances.

Federal Freight Broker Bond

BMC-84 Freight Broker Surety Bond

FMCSA requires freight brokers and qualifying freight forwarders to maintain $75,000 of financial responsibility. A BMC-84 surety bond is one method of meeting that federal requirement.

The alternative is a BMC-85 trust fund arrangement. For brokers choosing a surety bond, the surety submits the prescribed BMC-84 filing with FMCSA.

Federal broker and freight-forwarder financial responsibility rules were updated effective January 16, 2026, so businesses should make sure their filing and financial-responsibility provider remain compliant with current FMCSA requirements.

Texas Weight Tolerance Permit

Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bond

TxDMV requires either a $15,000 Form 1753 surety bond or an acceptable irrevocable letter of credit before issuing the Annual Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit.

The permit is designed for divisible commodities and may allow qualifying vehicles to exceed allowable axle weight by up to 10% and gross weight by up to 5%, subject to the permit’s restrictions.

TxDMV requires the original Form 1753 bond to be on file; an electronic copy is not accepted.

Not the same bond: Form 1753 is a $15,000 Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bond. It should not be confused with the $10,000 Form 439 Superheavy or Oversize Permit Bond.
Lavon Insurance

Trucking Insurance and Surety Bonds in One Place

Transportation businesses often need more than just an auto liability policy. Permit bonds, federal filings, cargo coverage and trucking insurance can all be part of operating legally and protecting the business.

Lavon Insurance works with Texas owner-operators, motor carriers and transportation businesses on both insurance and surety needs.

If you’re not sure which bond a government agency, permit office or contract is asking for, send us the requirement before purchasing a bond. Identifying the correct form and bond amount at the beginning can save significant time.

We can also help with commercial trucking insurance, motor truck cargo, physical damage, trailer interchange and other transportation coverage needs.

Common Questions

Trucking Surety Bond FAQs

What surety bonds are commonly used in trucking?
Common transportation-related bonds include Texas oversize permit bonds, Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit Bonds and federal BMC-84 Freight Broker Bonds. The bond required depends on the business activity and regulatory requirement.
Is a BMC-84 bond required for a motor carrier?
A BMC-84 is generally associated with freight brokers and qualifying freight forwarders, not simply with operating as a motor carrier. FMCSA requires brokers and freight forwarders to maintain $75,000 of financial responsibility through an approved mechanism such as BMC-84 or BMC-85.
How much is the Texas oversize permit bond?
TxDMV Form 439 is a $10,000 Superheavy or Oversize Permit Bond used in applicable permit-surety situations.
How much is the Texas Over Axle / Over Gross Weight bond?
TxDMV Form 1753 is a $15,000 bond associated with the Annual Over Axle / Over Gross Weight Tolerance Permit.
Are the $10,000 and $15,000 Texas permit bonds interchangeable?
No. They are separate TxDMV bond forms associated with different permit requirements. Confirm the specific permit and form before purchasing the bond.
Does a trucking surety bond replace commercial trucking insurance?
No. Surety bonds and insurance serve different purposes. Motor carriers may still need commercial auto liability, cargo, physical damage or other insurance based on their operation and applicable requirements.
Can Lavon Insurance help if I do not know which bond I need?
Yes. If you have a permit notice, government form or other document identifying the requirement, contact Lavon Insurance and we can help identify the applicable bond product.
Keep Your Trucks Moving

Find the Trucking Surety Bond You Need

Whether you’re applying for a Texas oversize permit, obtaining an over-axle weight tolerance permit or establishing financial responsibility as a freight broker, Lavon Insurance can help you navigate the bond requirement.

Bond availability, approval, premium and underwriting requirements vary by surety, applicant and bond type. Permit and registration requirements are determined by the applicable state or federal agency.