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Start 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 needs about $4,000–$13,000 to get your own authority running and $15,000–$32,000 for the full first year, not including the truck (varies with insurance, equipment and state; cost breakdown). FMCSA controls the timing on new authority. 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); both must be on file within 20 days of Register publication.
- 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 your operation 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 | Service fee | 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) | $55 federal (2027) | $90 | UCR fee |
| Form 2290 HVUT | $100–$550 tax | From $115 / return | Fuel tax |
| Primary liability insurance | $9k–$16k/yr (min $750k) | Partner quote | Insurance |
| MCS-150 | Free | $175 | MCS-150 due date |
File any of it
Each filing has its own dedicated service with flat pricing shown before checkout.
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?
Most new owner-operators should budget about $4,000–$13,000 to get their own authority running (filing fees, registrations and the insurance down payment) and $15,000–$32,000 for the full first year of compliance and insurance, not including the cost of the truck itself (varies with insurance, equipment and state); the cost-to-start guide at /guides/cost-to-start-a-trucking-company breaks it down. The USDOT number is free; MC operating authority is a $300 FMCSA fee; a BOC-3 filing through FastBOC3Filing is $75; UCR for 1–2 trucks is a $55 federal fee for 2027 (registration opened October 1, 2026; $46 for 2026); 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?
FMCSA controls the timing: once your application is published in the FMCSA Register, a 10-day protest period runs (49 CFR 365.203T), and your BOC-3 and BMC-91 must be on file within 20 days of publication (49 CFR 365.109T). FMCSA grants authority once both are on file and the protest period has passed.
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.