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GETTING YOUR TRUCKING AUTHORITY: How to get your MC and DOT Numbers
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GETTING YOUR TRUCKING AUTHORITY: How to get your MC and DOT Numbers

How to Get Your Operating Authority

In this video, the speaker provides a step-by-step guide on how to get your operating authority for trucking business. The speaker also highlights some important things that you should know before getting started.

Filing Fee and DOT Number

  • To get your MC and DOT numbers, you need to pay a $300 filing fee.
  • The MC number allows you to perform interstate travel while the DOT number is required for both interstate and intrastate travel.
  • You will get your DOT number right away once you finish the registration, while your MC numbers will follow shortly thereafter.

Protesting Period

  • After applying for your MC and DOT numbers, there is a 21-day protesting period where people all over the United States can object to your application.
  • After the 21-day period passes, you will receive an official letter from FMCSA stating that your application is processing.

Insurance Requirements

  • You have 90 days to get insurance on file after applying for your authority.
  • Insurance requirements are one million dollars in liability insurance for FMCSA brokers, $150,000 in cargo insurance, and reefer breakdown insurance if driving a reefer.
  • If you don't have insurance on file by the 90-day mark, your application will be dismissed and you'll have to pay $300 again.

Registered Agent Requirement

  • You need a registered agent in every state where you plan to operate by the 90-day mark of filing.
  • If you don't have registered agents set up by then, your application will be dismissed and you'll have to pay $300 again.

Applying for Authority

Step-by-step Guide

  1. Go to dot.fmcsa.dot.gov and click on "Registration."
  1. Click on "Get Authority to Operate" under the "New Applicant" section.
  1. Scroll down and click on "Apply for Authority."
  1. Click on "I Understand, Take Me to Registration."
  1. Select "New Applicant" and click next.
  1. Fill out the application contact type as a company contact.
  1. Provide your business description, legal business name, and DBA if applicable.
  1. Indicate whether your address is the same as your principal place of business or not.
  1. Use your EIN to register for your authority.

Applying for a USDOT Number and MC Number

This section covers the process of applying for a USDOT number and MC number.

Transporting Property

  • If you are going to transport property, click "yes" when prompted.
  • If you will receive compensation for transporting property belonging to others, click "yes".
  • Choose the type of property you will be transporting.

Interstate Carrier

  • If you plan on being an interstate carrier crossing state lines, you will need an MC number.
  • Click "yes" if this applies to you.

Freight Forwarder and Other Services

  • Click "no" if you are not providing brokerage services.
  • Click "no" if you are not operating as a freight forwarder or driveway.

Type of Freight

  • Choose the type of freight that will be transported.
  • Consider what kind of commodities will be transported when getting insurance.

Commercial Motor Vehicles

  • Indicate how many commercial motor vehicles will be operated.
  • Specify whether they are owned or leased.

Operating in Canada and Mexico

  • Indicate whether any vehicles will operate in Canada or Mexico.

Interstate Commerce Only vs Intrastate Commerce Only

  • Indicate how many trucks will operate in interstate commerce only.
  • Indicate how many trucks will operate in intrastate commerce only.

Weight of Vehicle

  • Answer yes to transporting property on a vehicle that weighs over 10,001 pounds.

Insurance Requirements

  • The financial responsibility requires a minimum of $750,000 in insurance.

Applying for Trucking Authority

This section covers the steps involved in applying for trucking authority.

Steps to Apply for Trucking Authority

  • If this is your first time applying for trucking authority, select "no".
  • Register for an FMCSA portal account and assign yourself as the company contact.
  • Provide a user ID and password to log into your FMCSA portal.
  • Complete compliance certifications by certifying or exiting the application.
  • Proceed to payment information and read through disclosures before clicking "next".
  • After submitting payment information, you will receive a DOT number on the final page.
  • Within 21 days, the FMCSA will enter a protesting period. After 90 days, insurance and registered agents must be on file in every state to have active operating authority.

Conclusion

This section concludes the video with final thoughts on applying for trucking authority.

Final Thoughts

  • It is important to follow all necessary steps when applying for trucking authority.
  • Remember that it takes time to become officially authorized, so be patient during the process.
Video description

Yep- I now have a course on how to Open, Register and Manage your trucking company as well as stay in compliance with the FMCSA. Course link below. Getting your MC and DOT numbers isn't hard, as long as you know what you are looking for. In this video, we will go over the registration process which will be one of the first steps in starting YOUR OWN trucking business. My email: talkabouttrucking@gmail.com. Open a Trucking Company Course: miranda-c-s-school.teachable.com/p/trucking-made-successful-carrier-course-starting-and-managing-a-trucking-company Dispatch Course: https://miranda-c-s-school.teachable.com/p/trucking-made-successful-dispatching-course Website: https://www.truckingmadesuccessful.com