<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001140361-06-003462
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20060223
<FILING-DATE>20060306
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20060306
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>COVENANT TRANSPORT INC
<CIK>0000928658
<ASSIGNED-SIC>4213
<IRS-NUMBER>880320154
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>NV
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
<CITY>CHATTANOOGA
<STATE>TN
<ZIP>37419
<PHONE>4238211212
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
<CITY>CHATTANOOGA
<STATE>TN
<ZIP>37419
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>Paulsen Jeffrey S
<CIK>0001301359
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-24960
<FILM-NUMBER>06667231
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>800-532-0341
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
<STREET2>400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
<CITY>CHATTANOOGA
<STATE>TN
<ZIP>37419
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-NAME>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>PAULSEN JEFFREY S
<DATE-CHANGED>20040824
</FORMER-NAME>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000928658</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COVENANT TRANSPORT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001301359</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Paulsen Jeffrey S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHATTANOOGA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37419</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP &amp; General Manager</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right-to-Buy) Class A common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.03</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-10-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option to purchase 7,500 shares of Class A common stock is exercisable between October 26, 2006 and October 26, 2008, at the rate of one-third per year.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey S. Paulsen, by Heidi Hornung-Scherr, attorney-in-fact, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed herewith.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-03-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>poa1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>
      Unassociated Document
</title><!-- Licensed to: Scudder Law Firm-->
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</head>
  <body bgcolor="#ffffff"><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">POWER
      OF
      ATTORNEY</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Know
      all
      by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each
      of
      Earl H. Scudder, Mark A. Scudder, Heidi Hornung-Scherr, and Catherine A. Chase,
      signing singly, the undersigned's true and lawful attorney-in-fact
      to:</font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="67%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">execute
                for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned's capacity
                as an
                officer, director, and/or ten percent stockholder of Covenant Transport,
                Inc. (the "Company"), Forms 3, 4, and 5 in accordance with Section
                16(a)
                of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules
                thereunder;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="4%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="67%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(2)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="67%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">do
                and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned
                which
                may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form
                3, 4,
                or 5, including a Form ID, complete and execute any amendment or
                amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States
                Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar
                authority; and</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="4%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="67%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="67%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">take
                any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing
                which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit
                to, in
                the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it
                being
                understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on
                behalf
                of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in
                such
                form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact
                may approve in such attorney-in-fact's sole discretion.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority
      to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary,
      or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein
      granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
      do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby
      ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such
      attorney-in-fact's substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to
      be
      done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein
      granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact,
      in
      serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming,
      nor is the Company or Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. assuming, any of the
      undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      consideration of the attorneys-in-fact acting on the undersigned&#8217;s behalf
      pursuant to this Power of Attorney, the undersigned hereby agrees to indemnify
      and hold harmless each attorney-in-fact, each substitute attorney-in-fact,
      and
      each of their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors,
      and assigns from and against the entirety of any and all losses, claims, causes
      of action, damages, fines, defense costs, amounts paid in settlement,
      liabilities, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys&#8217; fees and expenses
      (collectively, "Losses"), relating to or arising out of the exercise of this
      Power of Attorney by any such attorney-in-fact or substitute attorney-in-fact,
      and will reimburse each such indemnified person for all Losses as they are
      incurred by such indemnified person in connection with any pending or threatened
      claim, action, suit, proceeding, or investigation with which such indemnified
      person is or is threatened to be made a party. The undersigned will not,
      however, be responsible for any Losses that are finally determined by a court
      of
</font></div><br>
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        </div>
      </div>
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      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">competent
      jurisdiction to have resulted solely from an attorney-in-fact&#8217;s or substitute
      attorney-in-fact&#8217;s bad faith or willful misconduct.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">This
      Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned
      is
      no longer required to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 with respect to the undersigned's
      holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier
      revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing
      attorneys-in-fact. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
      executed as of this 3rd day of March 2006.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
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          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="43%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="37%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">/s/
                Jeffrey S. Paulsen</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="43%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="37%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Jeffrey
                S. Paulsen</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
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