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How to start a trucking company
Updated
Starting a trucking company comes down to pricing insurance before you buy a truck, then applying for a USDOT number and MC authority in FMCSA's Motus system. FMCSA charges $0 for the USDOT number and $300 for each authority type. You can haul once your insurer and process agent have filed and your authority shows active.
At a glance
- USDOT number
- $0 from FMCSA
- MC authority
- $300 per authority type, nonrefundable
- BOC-3 process agent
- $20 one-time to $125 a year (three published prices)
- UCR, zero to two power units
- $46 for 2026, $55 for 2027
Steps to start a trucking company
Most of the federal paperwork is the same for every for-hire carrier. The ratings on your truck and trailer decide the rest: the CDL class, the medical card, the plates and the fuel tax.
- Check the ratings on the truck you plan to buy. Interstate trucks at 10,001 lb or more need a USDOT number, a medical card and hours-of-service compliance. A CDL starts at 26,001 lb: Class B for a single truck, Class A for a combination with a trailer over 10,000 lb.
- Get insurance quotes at the limits brokers ask for. The federal floor for general freight is $750,000 in liability at 10,001 lb or more, and $300,000 if every vehicle in your fleet is rated under that. Ask agents to quote $1 million as well, since 20 of the 21 brokers that publish a liability minimum on their own pages want at least that much.
- Apply in Motus. FMCSA's registration system runs through Login.gov. The USDOT number costs $0 and MC authority costs $300 per authority type.
- Get your filings in. Your insurer has 20 days after FMCSA publishes your application to file proof of liability. Your BOC-3 goes in through a process agent.
- Wait for active status. Pending authority can't haul.
- Register for UCR. The 2027 fee is $55 at zero to two power units, due by December 31, 2026. You register on UCR's own site (opens in a new tab).
- Add what your truck needs. IRP plates and IFTA apply over 26,000 lb or at three or more axles on the truck, when you run in two or more jurisdictions. Form 2290 starts at 55,000 lb. CDL operations need drug and alcohol testing.
- Keep records from day one. FMCSA's safety audit for new carriers comes within 12 months after operations begin.
You file directly in Motus, which you reach by typing motus.dot.gov into your browser.
Start by truck type
| Truck | CDL | What sets it apart | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box truck, 26 ft | None at 26,000 lb or less. Class B at 26,001 lb | Amazon Relay lists 26 ft and 16 ft box trucks with tuck-under liftgates | Box truck |
| Hotshot | Class A once the combination reaches 26,001 lb with a trailer over 10,000 lb | IFTA can apply over 26,000 lb combined | Hotshot |
| Cargo van | None for general freight | Under 10,001 lb, the federal medical card and hours rules don't apply. MC authority still does | Cargo van |
| Semi truck | Class A | IRP, IFTA, Form 2290 up to $550 a year and a testing consortium | Semi truck |
What it costs to start
The government and program fees are small: $0 for the USDOT number, $300 for MC authority and $46 or $55 for UCR. Three process agents' published BOC-3 prices ran from $20 one-time to $125 a year in October 2026.
Most of the money goes to the truck and the insurance, and hotshot owners alone report paying anywhere from $4,200 a year to $2,700 a month for coverage.
Price your own start. The startup cost estimator adds the filing fees, UCR and plans for your truck type, then asks for your truck price and insurance quote. It shows the cash you need before the first broker check arrives. Startup cost estimator
How to choose
- Your truck. The box truck, hotshot, cargo van and semi truck guides cover the license, filings and costs for each one.
- Your budget. The startup cost estimator totals it for your truck type.
- Your filings. The authority filing order covers each filing in detail.
- Your own MC or someone else's. If you'd rather skip the broker wait on a new MC, compare leasing on with your own authority.
- Your state. Texas carriers have their own start-up page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a trucking company?
Filing fees stay low: the USDOT number is free, MC authority is $300 per authority type and UCR runs $46 for 2026 or $55 for 2027 with up to two power units. A BOC-3 ran $20 one-time to $125 a year across three published prices, and your truck and insurance cost far more.
Do I need a CDL to start a trucking company?
A CDL starts at 26,001 lb: Class B for a single truck and Class A for a combination with a trailer over 10,000 lb. A box truck at 26,000 lb or less and a cargo van hauling general freight need none.
Can I haul while my authority is pending?
A pending authority can't haul loads. Wait until your authority shows active before you book.
When is UCR due?
The 2027 registration is due by December 31, 2026, and you file it on UCR's own site.