What does a new trucking authority actually cost?

Itemized

• USDOT registration

  $0

  Federal motor carrier registration

  FMCSA — free for all interstate carriers

• MC operating authority

  $300

  For-hire interstate authority application

  FMCSA fee, one-time per authority type

• BOC-3 process agent

  $40

  Designation of agents for service of process

  Market rate — most national agents charge $20–50

• UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)

  $176

  Annual federal-state fee, scaled to fleet size

  FMCSA UCR schedule — 3 units bracket

• IFTA decals

  $36

  Fuel-tax decals × 3

  Approximately $10–15 per power unit, varies by base state

• IRP apportioned plates

  $5,400

  Apportioned plates × 3 (estimate)

  IRP rates vary by base state and operating jurisdictions; range $1,500–3,500/unit

• Auto liability insurance

  $28,800

  BMC-91 filing + cargo coverage, year 1

  Property carriers: $750K minimum federal liability; market rate $600–900/unit/month new authority

• Drug & alcohol consortium (C/TPA)

  $300

  DOT-compliant random testing program × 4 drivers

  Market rate — $50–200/year per CDL driver including random pool

• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse queries

  $10

  Pre-employment + annual queries × 4

  FMCSA Clearinghouse — $1.25 per query

• ELD program (year 1)

  $1,830

  Electronic Logging Devices × 3 (hardware + 12 mo service)

  Market rate — $20–40/month per unit + $200–400 hardware

• HVUT (Form 2290)

  $1,650

  Heavy Vehicle Use Tax × 3

  IRS Form 2290 — $550/year per truck ≥ 55,000 lb GVWR