How to Start Your Trucking Company

 

The following is an outline designed to help get you started in the trucking industry. Whether you are an experienced owner operator looking to become your own boss or you are completely new to the the world of trucking, this outline will help you complete the process of getting your own authority. The Financial Integrity Group offers assistance in all areas. Call us today to see how we can help you!
                         

1. Complete the application for your ICC/MC number (included in authority package)
2. Obtain/Update your DOT number (included in authority package)
3. Obtain/Contact insurance company
4. Obtain tags for truck starting at $75.
5. Pay heavy vehicle highway use tax (Form 2290)
6. Start preparing for your DOT audit ($295-includes enrollment in random drug & alcohol consortium as well as cost of testing)
     i. Contact the DOT for audit
     ii. Send all drivers for pre-employment drug test (we offer Pre-Employment testing at a discounted rate of $45)
     iii. Start Company file
          a. MC90
          b. Certificate
          c. BOC3
     iv. Start Accident Register file
     v. Start Drug Testing file
          a. Contact drug and alcohol consortium (we offer that for $95 a year!)
     vi. Start Driver Qualification file (DQ file)
          a. Complete application b
          b. Background checks
          c. Pre-employment drug test (offered at discounted rate of $45)
          d. MVR (included in cost)
          e. CDL
          f. All annual review forms
          g. Safety Profile (included in price)
     vii. Start Hours of Service file (HOS file)
          a. Logs
          b. Disciplinary Action of Section 395
     viii. Start Maintenance file
          a. Daily pre trip inspections from drivers
          b. Annual Inspection
          c. Service Due Record
          d. Maintenance Record
     ix. Obtain a Federal Motor Carrier Manual (offered for $25)
     x. Start a company safety manual
7. Contact factoring company
8. Contact brokers/shippers
     i. Provide copy of W9, insurance and certificate
9. Apply for state permits (included in authority package*)
     - New York (only if you are running in New York and are over 18,000)
     - Kentucky (only if you are running in Kentucky and are over 60,000)
     - New Mexico (only if you are running in New Mexico and are over 26,000)
     - Oregon (only if you are running in Oregon and are over 26,000)
10. Apply for IFTA account (only if you are over 26,000) (included in authority package)
11. Receive certificate (included in authority package, expedited same day for additional $30)
12. Apply for UCR (included in authority package*)
13. Ensure all permits are in hand before making your first trip
14. Maintain and complete trip sheets for fuel tax reporting

*you will receive a permits folder by mail once all permits and certificate is obtained.

You will receive a letter from the DOT within the first week asking you to contact your local Department of Transportation. YOU MUST CONTACT THEM WITHIN 90 DAYS OR YOUR NUMBER WILL BE DEACTIVATED. If your number is deactivated, there is a mandatory 30 days before it can be reactivated.

*State and federal fees extra