Frequently asked questions about trucking permits

There are 6 steps, in this order:

1. Choose the structure. LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship or partnership. Most people choose an LLC: it separates your business from your personal assets.
2. Register it in your state. File the Articles of Organization with your legal name and business address.
3. Get your EIN from the IRS. It identifies your business with tax agencies.
4. Register with FMCSA. Your USDOT number and, if you cross state lines, your MC Number.
5. State licenses. IRP, IFTA and the permits for each state where you operate.
6. Insurance and BOC-3. Liability insurance at federal minimums (your insurer files it with FMCSA) and your process agent with the BOC-3.

Three things:

• Legal status in the U.S.
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Physical address in the state where you register the company.

Choose based on your experience and the truck you feel comfortable with.

• Cargo types: dry, bulk, refrigerated or hazardous materials (Hazmat).
• Flatbed: loose cargo on a flatbed usually pays better, but it depends on whether you already have customers.
• One state or several: freight rates change a lot between one and the other.

Think in three amounts:

• 30%of the truck's value, at minimum (new or used)
• 3 monthsof expenses: equipment, maintenance, fuel and insurance
• $1,000 – $1,500in permits and filings to set up the company

On top of that, count the truck and driver expenses, plus a cushion for unexpected repairs.

Between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on the state and the permits you need.

What weighs most: the MC/DOT number, state registration and insurance. Doing the steps in order speeds it up.

One line per permit:

• USDOT: your unique number with FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
• MC Number: the permit to haul cargo between states.
• EIN: your IRS tax identification number.
• CDL: license to drive large vehicles. Minimum age 18 within the state and 21 between states.
• BOC-3: designates a process agent in each state to receive legal notices.
• UCR: annual registration for carriers that cross state lines.
• 2290: annual highway use tax paid to the IRS (vehicles of 55,000 lb or more).
• IFTA: a single fuel tax report for all the states (and Canadian provinces) where you drive.
• IRP: the interstate plate registration for your truck.
• Drug and alcohol / Clearinghouse: mandatory and random tests for anyone who drives with a CDL.
• Insurance: covers your vehicle, the cargo, liability and the driver.

CDL license, with the endorsement your cargo requires.

• CDL if the truck weighs 26,001 lb or more, or carries hazardous materials or passengers.
• Age: minimum 18 within the state and 21 between states.
• Clearinghouse: before hiring, check the driver's drug and alcohol record.

Yes. All of our service is in Spanish.

• By phone, WhatsApp or email.
• We explain every procedure and every document, in plain words.

Search for your MC/DOT number on the FMCSA website.

• It works once the filing is under way.
• If we're handling it, ask us on WhatsApp or call us.

It can almost always be fixed and resubmitted.

• Common causes: incomplete documents or insufficient insurance.
• Fix it in time and resubmit, with expert support, to avoid delays.
• Having guidance from the start reduces these risks.

The ELD, the electronic logging device for hours of service.

• Mandatory since 2017 for most commercial trucks (FMCSA).
• It records only driving and rest time, to comply with hours-of-service (HOS) rules.
• Recommended: GPS and a front-facing camera, to back up your records.
• First investment: avoids fines at inspections (Texas, California). Many budget models include basic GPS.

Heat and humidity shorten the life of the equipment.

• Choose equipment with IP6K9K certification: it withstands heat, water and dust.
• Keep the software up to date to avoid failures.

Write down your hours by hand, on paper.

• You can do this for up to 8 days.
• Notify your supervisor right away.
• Repair or replace the device as soon as possible.