If your company is declared as a “for hire” trucking company (you haul goods owned by others who pay you to do so, as compared to hauling your own goods/products) and you cross state lines, you’re probably going to need a trucking authority known as the ICC authority/DOT authority.
Neglect to acquire the proper trucking authority and you run the risk of large fines, imprisonment, or both.
You may not need an ICC/DOT authority. If you haul livestock, logs or bulk grain you’re load is exempt from this trucking authority requirement.
To get your ICC/DOT authority, you’ll need a USDOT number. You’ll also need to register for the list of BOC-3 process agents. You’ll also need to carry personal injury and property damage liability insurance on each of your vehicles crossing state lines.
In addition, once you’ve been granted your ICC/DOT trucking authority, you will need to register for the UCR (United Carrier Registration).
Your Authority Service can help you with this process.
For example, did you know that some states don’t require ICC/DOT authorities from carriers that operate only within a special “commercial zone” (as designated by the federal government) that’s exempt from interstate transportation authority rules?
In addition, don’t forget that you’ll often be applying for transportation authority from state and federal entities
Transportation authority rules are numerous and detailed. Your Authority Service can help you through a time-consuming process -- leaving you more time to run your operation.
Trucking companies that forgo the transportation authority process put themselves -- and their employees, their families and their financial future -- at huge risk. Fines/penalties for non-compliance can run into the thousands of dollars (sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars), and include years of jail time.
The risk is too great.
We look forward to helping you through the detailed requirements of acquiring all transportation authorities your trucking enterprise needs.