Every number, filing and deadline between you and your first legal load — explained in plain language, in the right order, with the traps new carriers actually fall into.
Your carrier identity with FMCSA — required for interstate commercial operation. Free to obtain via the Unified Registration System.
Your legal permission to haul freight for hire across state lines. Filed with FMCSA; a filing fee applies per authority type.
Hauling only within one state? State rules apply instead — many states still require registration and insurance filings.
LLC or corporation, EIN from the IRS, business bank account. Brokers and factoring companies will ask for all three.
One URS filing covers both. Have your entity, EIN and address finalized first — changing them later means amendments.
Your insurance company files the BMC-91/91X liability form directly with FMCSA. Authority will not activate without it.
Required in every state you operate. See our BOC-3 guide — most carriers use a blanket agent service.
Annual Unified Carrier Registration once your USDOT is active. Fees are set annually by bracket of fleet size.
IRP apportioned plates, IFTA license (see our IFTA guide), state permits (KYU, NY HUT, NM, OR) where you run.
Plan for the FMCSA authority filing fee, BOC-3 agent service, UCR annual fee, IRP plates (varies widely by state and weight), and your down payment on insurance — insurance is by far the largest number for a new authority, and quotes vary dramatically by driving history, truck age and radius. Get several insurance quotes before you file anything; the rest of the costs are small by comparison. We deliberately do not print exact government fees here because they change — check FMCSA.gov for current amounts.
W-9, COI, authority letter, insurance certificates — brokers ask for the same pack every time. Have it ready as PDFs.
Brokers commonly pay in 30 days. Decide now how you will cover fuel in week one.
Annual inspection, ELD installed and registered, IRP/IFTA decals ordered, registration binder in the cab.
New authorities live in a probation-like window: many brokers restrict loads to carriers with aged authority, and FMCSA’s New Entrant program will audit your safety basics within the first months. Keep driver qualification files, drug-and-alcohol program enrollment, hours-of-service records and maintenance files clean from day one — the New Entrant audit checks exactly these. This is also where a dispatcher earns their keep: finding the brokers who DO work with new authorities.
Insurance expirations, UCR renewals, inspection dates — tracked in your carrier account with reminders before they bite.
Authority letter, COI, W-9 — uploaded once, attached to every load packet automatically.
We know which brokers accept fresh MCs. See our dedicated new-authority dispatch program.
Yes — LoadBoot dispatches carriers operating under their own authority. If you are still getting set up, this guide covers the steps, and we can point you in the right direction before you start.
After filing, FMCSA authority typically involves a multi-week protest/vetting period before it becomes active — plan your insurance, BOC-3 and UCR during that window so you can roll the day it activates.
For-hire property carriers generally need liability coverage filed with FMCSA (commonly $750,000 minimum, with most brokers requiring $1M) plus cargo coverage that brokers expect (often $100,000). Confirm exact requirements for your operation.
We are a dispatch service — we keep your compliance dates tracked and your documents organized in your carrier account, and we can refer you to reputable filing services. The filings themselves are yours or your agent’s to make.
Honest note: This page is general education for U.S. motor carriers, not legal or tax advice. Government fees, forms and deadlines change — always confirm current requirements on FMCSA.gov and IRS.gov, or with a licensed professional. LoadBoot helps you stay organized and connected to the right filings; we do not replace your legal or tax advisor.
Get a free quote today and see how much more your truck could be earning with a dispatcher in your corner.
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