Staying inside Florida? Insurance is checked through vehicle registration. Under the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) commercial vehicle procedure, you show proof such as a Certificate of Liability Insurance or an ACORD form with the policy number, limits and Personal Injury Protection. FLHSMV also says companies operating commercial motor vehicles must get a USDOT number and display it. There is no registration fee for carriers that run only intrastate, and FLHSMV lists an exception for non-placarded property vehicles under 26,001 pounds declared weight.
Minimum liability under Florida Statute 627.7415 (combined, per occurrence):
- $50,000 at 26,000 pounds or more, but under 35,000
- $100,000 at 35,000 pounds or more, but under 44,000
- $300,000 at 44,000 pounds or more
FLHSMV's procedure also requires proof of $10,000 in PIP. If the insurer sends a cancellation notice, the registration can be suspended.
If you cross state lines, the federal rules apply. A for-hire carrier of general freight in interstate commerce with vehicles of 10,001 pounds GVWR or more needs at least $750,000 under 49 CFR 387.9. The policy carries the MCS-90 endorsement, and your insurance company, not you, files the BMC-91 or BMC-91X with FMCSA. Hazmat limits run higher.
- Florida's intrastate liability minimums step up by weight: $50,000, $100,000 and $300,000.
- FLHSMV's commercial vehicle insurance procedure requires proof of $10,000 in PIP at any gross weight.
- Florida runs 23 agricultural inspection stations on 19 highways, and trucks and trailers must stop.
- USDOT registration has no fee for companies operating only intrastate, according to FLHSMV.
By truck
- Dump truck insurance in Florida
- Dry van insurance in Florida
- Flatbed insurance in Florida
- Hot shot insurance in Florida
- Box truck insurance in Florida
Common questions
What liability limit does a heavy dump truck or tractor need inside Florida?
At 44,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or more, the state minimum is $300,000 per occurrence. Contracts can require more, and interstate for-hire work carries the federal $750,000 minimum.
Do Florida commercial trucks need PIP?
FLHSMV's procedure says proof of insurance must show $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, in addition to the other requirements and regardless of gross weight. That procedure was last revised in 2019, so have your agent confirm how it applies to your unit.
Do I have to stop at the Florida agricultural inspection stations?
FDACS says trucks, rental trucks, vans and trailers must stop and submit to inspection, along with any vehicle carrying agricultural, horticultural or livestock products. Eligible carriers can use PrePass or Drivewyze, but not with agricultural loads or refrigerated units.
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Protec Consulting Group is a licensed insurance agency in Florida.
Sources: Florida Statutes 627.7415 (Florida Senate) · FLHSMV Procedure RS-33, Commercial Motor Vehicle Insurance (rev. 12/12/2019) · FLHSMV, Florida USDOT Numbers · Florida Statutes 316.302 (Florida Senate) · FDACS, Agricultural Inspection Stations · FDACS, Bypass Services · 49 CFR 387.9, schedule of limits (Cornell LII) · 49 CFR 390.5, definition of interstate commerce (Cornell LII) · FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements · USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020, Crushed Stone (2019 data) · FDOT, 2019-2023 Florida Seaport Mission Plan · 49 CFR 390.23, relief during emergencies (Cornell LII) · JAXPORT. Reviewed: 2026-11-03.