New Trucking Authority Checklist

Before your authority becomes active, you need to file proof of insurance with the FMCSA. This is typically the most expensive startup cost.

• Primary liability: $750,000 minimum for general freight. Hazmat carriers need $1M-$5M. Expect $8,000–$12,000/year for a new authority with clean record.
• Cargo insurance: Typically $100,000 coverage. $400–$1,200/year. Some brokers require $250K.
• Physical damage: Covers your truck. Not required by FMCSA but required by most lenders. $2,000–$5,000/year depending on truck value.

Your insurance agent files Form BMC-91 (or BMC-34 for surety bonds) with the FMCSA. Your authority won't activate until this is on file — typically takes 2-3 business days to process.

A BOC-3 designates a process agent in every state where you operate. It's required by the FMCSA. Most services charge $30-50 one-time and file it for you. Your authority won't activate without it.

This is a legal requirement so that lawsuits or official notices can be served in any state you operate. It's cheap and fast — don't skip it.

Apply through your base state. You'll get a license and two decals per truck. Required before you cross state lines hauling freight. Most states charge nothing or a small processing fee.

IFTA filing is quarterly — and it's one of the most time-consuming parts of running a trucking business. Getting your license is easy; staying on top of quarterly filings is the hard part.

The International Registration Plan covers your truck's registration across all states you operate in. Apply through your state's DMV or motor carrier division.

Fees are apportioned based on the percentage of miles you drive in each state. New carriers typically pay based on an estimated mileage split. After your first year, fees adjust to actual miles. Budget $1,500-$3,000 for a single truck operating in 10+ states.

Unified Carrier Registration is an annual filing required for all interstate motor carriers. The fee is set annually by the UCR Board and tiers by fleet size. The 2026 schedule starts at $46/year for 1-2 vehicles and goes up to $44,836 for fleets over 1,000. Renewal opens in the fall for the following calendar year.

Pay through your base state's UCR portal or directly through the UCR Plan website. Owner-operators who run intrastate-only and have no interstate authority generally aren't required to register, but most for-hire owner-operators with an MC number do.

Required annually for vehicles over 55,000 lbs GVW. Filed with the IRS. Due by August 31 each year, or the first month you put a new truck on the road. The standard rate is $550/year for a truck at 75,000 lbs.

You'll need your stamped Schedule 1 to register the truck and for some broker setups. E-file through the IRS or an authorized provider — you get the stamped copy same day.

Electronic Logging Devices are mandatory for most interstate carriers. Choose an FMCSA-registered ELD. Popular options:

• Samsara: Industry standard for owner-operators and small fleets. GPS, DVIR, dashcam options, strong fleet management. $30-50/mo — and it's the ELD OTR integrates with directly.
• ELD Rider / BigRoad: Budget options for solo operators. $20-30/mo. No direct OTR sync — you'll enter trips manually.

You need a system for tracking loads, sending invoices, filing IFTA, managing compliance deadlines, and tracking expenses from day one. Many new carriers try to do this with spreadsheets — and fall behind within the first quarter.

The key systems you need to have in place:

• Load tracking: Where each load stands — booked, picked up, delivered, invoiced, paid
• Invoicing: Professional invoices sent to brokers with rate con and BOL attached
• Expense tracking: Every fuel purchase, maintenance bill, and toll categorized
• Compliance calendar: Every CDL, medical card, insurance, and permit expiration tracked
• IFTA prep: Miles and fuel by state, ready for quarterly filing

• Drug & alcohol testing program ($50-100 enrollment): Required. Enroll with a DOT-compliant consortium before your first load.
• SCAC code ($69/year): Required by some shippers for EDI and routing. Apply through NMFTA.
• Load boards ($40-150/month): DAT, Truckstop, or similar to find freight.
• Business bank account: Keep business and personal finances separate from day one. This saves massive headaches at tax time.
• Fuel cards: EFS, Comdata, or another major fleet card for fuel discounts (typically 3–8 cents/gallon at the pump) and state-by-state IFTA tracking.

• Running loads before authority is active. Check your authority status on FMCSA's SAFER system before booking your first load.
• Not shopping insurance. New authority rates vary wildly between agents. Get at least 3 quotes.
• Skipping the drug testing consortium. It's not optional. Get enrolled before your first load.
• No bookkeeping system from day one. Playing catch-up at tax time costs 10x more than staying organized from the start.
• Accepting bad loads. New carriers often take any load offered. Calculate revenue per mile and know your minimum before you book.

How much does it cost to start a trucking company?

Budget $10,000–$19,000 for the first month if you already own your truck. That covers insurance down payment, IRP, Form 2290, UCR, BOC-3, drug testing enrollment, ELD, and a load board subscription. Insurance is the biggest line item — $8,000–$15,000/year for the first year before rates drop with clean-record history.

How long does it take to get trucking authority?

FMCSA processing takes 4–6 weeks from the date you file your MC application. Authority typically goes active 21 days after FMCSA posts it in the Federal Register — assuming your BOC-3 and insurance filings are on record by then. Incomplete filings restart the clock, which is the single biggest cause of delayed authority activation.

What do I need to do after getting my MC number?

In order: file insurance (BMC-91), file BOC-3 process agent, register for IRP, file UCR, pay Form 2290 HVUT, get an ELD, enroll in a drug testing consortium, apply for IFTA decals. None of this is optional — missing any single item means your authority either doesn't activate or gets revoked within the first 90 days.

Do I need a DBA or LLC to start trucking?

Not required by FMCSA — your authority can be under your personal name. But an LLC protects your personal assets from business liability and is strongly recommended. Most states charge $50–$500 to register an LLC. Do it before you file for authority so your MC/DOT number is issued to the LLC, not to you personally.

What is the New Entrant Safety Audit?

FMCSA audits every new motor carrier within 12 months of activating authority. They review your driver qualification files, HOS records, drug testing program, maintenance records, and insurance. Pass and you get unconditional authority; fail and you get a timeline to fix issues or face revocation. Prepare for it from day one — don't wait for the notice.