New Authority Checklist

DOT number issued (FMCSA URS) Apply at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. Free. Issued the same day in most cases. You need this before anything else.
MC number issued (Motor Carrier authority) $300 filing fee with FMCSA. Granted via the same URS portal. Takes 21–25 days to become "Active" after the BOC-3 + insurance are filed.
BOC-3 filing (process agents, all 50 states) Required before MC goes active. ~$20–$50 from any major BOC-3 provider. Filed once.
UCR registration (Unified Carrier Registration) Annual fee based on fleet size. ~$59 for 1–2 trucks. Due Dec 31; first one due in your first calendar year of operation.
IRP plates (apportioned) Filed in your base state through your IRP office. Cost varies by jurisdictions and weight. Allow 7–14 days.
IFTA license + decals Filed in your base state. Quarterly fuel-tax filings begin once issued. Decals go on both doors.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (Form 2290) $550/year for trucks 75,000 lbs+. Filed with the IRS. You need a stamped Schedule 1 to register your IRP plates each year.

Primary liability ($1M minimum) FMCSA-mandated. Costs new authorities $14k–$22k/year typical. Get 3 quotes — Progressive, Sentry, and a regional broker.
Cargo insurance ($100k minimum, $250k+ recommended) Required by virtually every broker. Reefer often requires $250k. Spec it for your equipment and lanes.
Trailer interchange / non-owned trailer Required if you ever pull a power-only trailer that isn't yours. ~$300/year add-on.
Physical damage on tractor + trailer Lender requires this if you have a loan. Self-insure only if you can write a check for a new truck.
Workers' comp (if hiring drivers) Required in most states once you have 1+ employee. Skip if you're solo owner-operator.
Form MCS-90 endorsement Federal financial-responsibility endorsement attached to your liability policy. Insurance company files this with FMCSA.

Drug + alcohol testing program (clearinghouse) You must enroll in a DOT-compliant testing consortium before driving under your authority. ~$50–$150/year.
Driver Qualification (DQ) file Even if you're the only driver. Includes MVR, road test, drug test, employment history, medical card. Audit-ready.
DOT physical + medical card Valid 24 months. Keep a copy in the truck and one in the DQ file.
ELD installed + registered Mandatory for any truck running interstate. Pick one on the FMCSA registered ELD list.
Pre-trip / post-trip inspection log Daily. Keep DVIRs (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports) for 3 months.
HOS records retained for 6 months Hours-of-Service logs from your ELD must be retrievable for the FMCSA audit window.

Business bank account (in LLC/corp name) Open at least one. Run all freight revenue + expenses through it. Don't mix with personal.
EIN issued Free at irs.gov. Needed to open the bank account and file taxes.
Factoring company chosen (or skip) Optional but most new authorities factor. Apex, RTS, OTR all work fine. Rate: 1.5%–3% of invoice.
NOA (Notice of Assignment) filed with brokers Once you sign with a factor, send the NOA to every broker before they pay anyone else.
Accountant or bookkeeper engaged Trucking taxes are not DIY-friendly. Find one who knows owner-operator deductions (per diem, depreciation, fuel). $100–$300/month.
Truck/trailer financing closed If buying. Lender will need DOT/MC, insurance certs, and 6 months of bank statements once running.

Carrier packets sent to top 20 brokers Rate confirmation, W-9, insurance certs, references. Sent the day MC goes active. Most brokers won't book a carrier under 90 days old without manual approval.
Loadboard subscriptions active DAT, Truckstops, or both. ~$45–$200/month. Cancel one once you have direct shippers.
Authority age workaround in place Many brokers won't use carriers under 90 days. Either co-broker through a partner, dispatch through a service (us), or focus on direct-shipper outreach until you age in.
First load booked + signed rate con Day 1 win. Even at a soft rate, get one on the books to get your "Carrier411" / "MyCarrierPackets" history started.
First invoice sent (or factored) Day-of-delivery. Always include signed BOL/POD. Use the freight invoice generator if you don't have software yet.

LLC or S-Corp formed (vs sole prop) Liability shield + tax flexibility. Most owner-ops form an LLC and elect S-Corp tax treatment after revenue clears ~$80k/year.
Carrier packet template saved (PDF) Speeds up new-broker onboarding. Includes W-9, COIs, MC/DOT, references, and your 1-page rate sheet.
SAFER + Carrier411 profile reviewed Brokers check both. Make sure your authority status is "Active", insurance is "On File", and there are no inspection violations on record.
Dispatching service evaluated For ~5–8% of gross, a dispatcher handles all of the broker outreach + rate negotiation. Worth it if you'd rather drive than phone-bash.

New authority checklist.