Getting Your Authority

I am no expert on this matter, but I have gone through it to get mine and it was a major pain. You just need to stick with it. It takes three weeks once you start. Please don’t let people tell you they can do it faster for X amount of dollars. It can’t be done. Takes three weeks to get your MC#. I am going to list the order I did mine. Right or wrong, it worked for me.

1. Pick your business name and file for your D/B/A. (Texas cost $7.00.)
2. Buy truck and trailer. (I prefer Dually and 40′ flatbed trailer with ramps.)
3. Get your Tax Payer ID #.
4. Insurance:
   1. Get several quotes before you pick one.
   2. Be prepared for sticker shock.
   3. $1,000,000 Liability and $100,000 Cargo
5. Get your USDOT# and MC#:
   1. Go to http://www.Fincsa.dot.gov
   2. $300.00
6. Hire Process Agents. ($30.00)
7. Purchase your Apportioned Plates. (Mine cost $500.00.)
8. Apply for IFTA License.
9. Apply for your State Authority. ($204.00)
10. Enroll in a random Drug Test.
11. Get your Carrier Registration Plan:
    1. If I remember correctly, I had to do this before I got State Authority.
    2. $79.00

**The following states have different requirements:  New Mexico, Oregon, New York and Kentucky. You need to look up each one.

There are some experts on this subject. You just need to look for them. One young man who comes to mind is located in California. I need to ask him first if it is okay to post his name and number. But he was very educated on this subject. As a matter of fact, he was very knowledgeable on everything I asked him.

Before I started my new life as an O/O, I read an article that stated you should have at least one-year of salary saved. If you are going to do this on your own, that statement is very true due to the learning curve. If you team with the right dispatcher, I do feel you can get away with not having a ton of money saved. It doesn’t matter if it is me or the guy down the road. Just make sure the dispatcher is willing to help you grow so you can become independent.