In addition to the food service permits and health requirements, you may also need to apply for:

Business license

State sales tax permit

Truck/cart registration

        To sort these out, the city hall or the county clerk’s office will usually point you in the right direction.

Keep in mind that before you can hit the road, health inspectors will check your vehicle. Usually, they look for:

Proof of ownership, proper identification and license (of the vehicle)

Proof of District-issued Food Manager Identification Card

Food-purchase record storage and record keeping

That your depot, commissary or service support facility meets your vending unit operation needs

Copy of license for the service support facility and/or a recent inspection report

Food vehicles are typically inspected at least once a year by a health department inspector, sometimes randomly.

        The inspector checks to see how food is stored so that it does not spoil and that it is kept at the proper temperature. All food equipment as well as sinks and water supplies are checked.

        Commercial kitchens and garages in which food vehicles are kept are also inspected frequently and can be given high fines if they do not meet health and fire codes.

        Some have been shut down because of too many violations. Likewise, trucks and carts have lost their licenses over repeated violations.