Starting a trucking company: your first-month checklist
The usual order of things. Pick your state below for its exact rules, deadlines and official links.
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Register for a USDOT number
Required before your trucks haul in interstate commerce. Free from FMCSA. Register at FMCSA
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Apply for operating authority if you haul for hire
An MC number lets you carry other people's freight across state lines.
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Get truck insurance filed with FMCSA
Your authority can't go active until your insurer files proof of liability coverage. See options
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File your BOC-3
Names a process agent in every state. Filed online, usually within a day. See options
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Get your EIN
Free from the IRS, online in about 10 minutes. Banks, clients and payroll all ask for it. You never need to pay a service for it. How to get it free
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Open a business bank account
Keeps the company's money separate from yours, which is what protects your LLC. See options
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Line up factoring or a line of credit
Brokers often pay in 30 days or more; factoring pays you in about a day. See options
Pick your state
What insurance costs
| Coverage | Typical per year |
|---|---|
| Full package, first year of new authority | $15,900 |
| Primary auto liability | $6,500 |
| Physical damage | $2,830 |
| Motor truck cargo | $1,060 |
Source: Truck Writers, Sep 2026. Your price depends on your work, location and history.