Fast Trucking ComplianceStart your trucking company
From zero to your own authority, one clear roadmap.
Answer six quick questions and get a personalized checklist of every filing you owe — USDOT, MC authority, BOC-3, UCR, 2290, insurance — with real costs, a timeline, and the exact order to do them in. Free, no signup.
How to start a trucking company (the short version)
Starting a for-hire interstate trucking company takes about 4–6 weeks and roughly $6,000–$12,000 in year one. The path:
- Form an LLC and get an EIN.
- File for your USDOT number (free) and MC operating authority ($300).
- File your BOC-3 process agents and bind primary liability insurance (min $750k) within 20 days.
- Register UCR, file Form 2290 if 55,000 lbs+, and add IRP/IFTA.
- Set up your drug & alcohol program and driver files.
- Pass your New Entrant Safety Audit in the first 12 months.
Build the version tailored to youroperation below — it adapts to your weight, states, drivers, and whether you’re a carrier or broker.
Build your personalized roadmap
Six questions, about two minutes. You’ll get the exact filings you owe, what each costs, how long it takes, and where to file — in the right order.
Your launch in six phases
Every new carrier follows the same arc. Here’s what each phase covers and the guides that go deep on it.
- PHASE 1
Form your business
Lock in your legal entity and tax ID before you file anything federal. Filing your authority under the right entity from day one avoids an expensive re-file later.
- PHASE 2
Get your federal numbers
Your USDOT number and (for for-hire interstate freight) MC operating authority are the foundation everything else attaches to.
- PHASE 3
Activate your authority
FMCSA grants authority only after your BOC-3 process agents and proof of insurance are on file - both due within 20 days of your application posting in the FMCSA Register.
- PHASE 4
Taxes & registrations
UCR, Form 2290 HVUT, IRP apportioned plates, IFTA, and any state weight-distance permits - the recurring filings that keep you legal to roll.
- PHASE 5
Drivers & safety
Before anyone drives: CDL + medical card, drug & alcohol program, FMCSA Clearinghouse, and a complete driver qualification file.
- PHASE 6
Stay compliant
Pass your New Entrant Safety Audit in the first 12 months, then keep MCS-150 (biennial), UCR (annual), and 2290 (annual) current forever.
What it actually costs
Real 2026 numbers. Government fees are fixed; insurance is the variable that swings your budget most. Use our free calculators for exact figures.
| Filing | Government cost | We file it for | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT number | Free | $199 | USDOT cost |
| MC operating authority | $300 FMCSA fee | In package | USDOT cost |
| BOC-3 process agents | No gov fee | $75 lifetime | BOC-3 guide |
| UCR (1–2 trucks) | $46 federal | $80 | UCR fee |
| Form 2290 HVUT | $100–$550 tax | $149 / truck | Fuel tax |
| Primary liability insurance | $9k–$16k/yr (min $750k) | Partner quote | Insurance |
| MCS-150 | Free | $100 | MCS-150 due date |
File any of it, same day
Each filing is handled in-house by the same expert team — flat pricing, specialist review before submission.
Go deeper — startup guides
Every step above has a full, citation-backed guide. Start with the pillar, then drill in.
How to Start a Trucking Company
Read guideOwner-Operator Startup Checklist
Read guideDOT Number Cost & Process
Read guideMC vs DOT Number Explained
Read guideUSDOT vs MC Authority
Read guideTrucking Insurance Requirements
Read guideForm 2290 HVUT Guide
Read guideBOC-3 vs UCR Explained
Read guideNew-Entrant Safety Audit
Read guideELDT / CDL Training
Read guideIFTA Filing Guide
Read guideFreight Broker License Cost
Read guideStarting a trucking company — FAQ
How much does it cost to start a trucking company?
Budget roughly $6,000–$12,000 in the first year for a single-truck interstate operation. The USDOT number is free; MC operating authority is a $300 FMCSA fee; BOC-3 process agents are about $75; UCR for 1–2 trucks is a $46 federal fee; and Form 2290 HVUT runs $100–$550 depending on weight. The biggest line item is primary liability insurance (minimum $750,000), which typically runs $9,000–$16,000 per year with $1,000–$3,000 down.
What do I need to start a trucking company?
At minimum: a registered business entity and EIN, a USDOT number, MC operating authority (for for-hire interstate freight), BOC-3 process agents, primary liability insurance on file, an MCS-150, UCR registration, and Form 2290 if your truck is 55,000 lbs or more. If you have CDL drivers you also need a drug & alcohol program, FMCSA Clearinghouse enrollment, and driver qualification files.
How long does it take to get authority and start operating?
Your USDOT number is issued the same day you file. MC operating authority takes about 3–4 weeks because FMCSA posts your application for a 10-day public protest period, and your BOC-3 and insurance must be on file within 20 days of that posting. Most new carriers are fully active and legal to haul within 4–6 weeks.
Do I need MC authority, or just a USDOT number?
You need a USDOT number if you run a commercial vehicle over 10,000 lbs in interstate commerce. You additionally need MC operating authority if you are a for-hire carrier hauling regulated freight across state lines. Private carriers hauling their own goods and many intrastate-only carriers need the USDOT but not MC authority.
Do I need a BOC-3 if I only operate in one state?
A BOC-3 (process-agent designation) is required for interstate for-hire carriers and for all brokers and freight forwarders. A purely intrastate carrier that never crosses state lines and is not seeking federal authority generally does not need one. If you get MC authority, BOC-3 is mandatory before it activates.
Do I need Form 2290 for a brand-new truck?
You must file Form 2290 (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax) for any vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more used on public highways. For a newly purchased truck, the return is due by the last day of the month after the month you first use it, and you need the stamped Schedule 1 to register your plates.
Ready to launch?
Build your roadmap above, or run the free anonymous intake for exact pricing on every filing your operation needs.