MC without Tractor and Trailer?

In a word, no. In order for your authority to go active, you have to post, or rather your insurance company has to post valid insurance with the FMCSA.

 

You need a minimum $750,000 automotive liability policy to get your authority (among a few other requirements), but I found no one willing to write such a policy without a truck to go with it.

 

It's a catch 22. You can get your authority without a vehicle, but you have to have insurance. To get insurance, you have to have a vehicle. It's kinda like Cpt. Jack Sparrow said:
"People who are crazy don't know their crazy. I know I'm crazy, so that makes me not crazy. Isn't that crazy?"

 

Everyone is correct. No truck means no insurance means no MC number. It's pretty much all in or nothing.

 

I just reread the original post about "starting" small...I used to think this would be easy and I could do it on $20,000 as start up funding. It's not too difficult, if you have even half a business mind. But the money? $20,000 is how much you have to have in reserve. Let alone state, county and city business license, federal tax ID, DOT authority, MC #, BOC-3 agent, participation in a drug testing consortium, load board subscription, cargo/liability/motor carrier insurance, workers comp, health insurance, UCR, IFTA, KY #, NM permit, Oregon permit with $2,000 bond, NY HUT, 2290, apportioned plates on tractor AND trailer, state registration on said vehicles, addendum to home owners insurance to operate a business office in a VA funded home loan...start small you say? Seems you can not start small when it comes to a trucking company; go big or don't go at all.

 

I had a lot of cash when I started. Paid cash for my truck trailer and everything needed to get going. Headed out on the road with $15,000 in cash for fuel and expenses. It was gone real quick!!! lol

Found myself waiting for anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 in outstanding invoices.

 

that may be the law but no one will let you pull for them with less then $1,000,000 liability just like $75,000 cargo is the law but you cant get work with less then $100,000 cargo

 

lease him on and get the insurance, many carriers don't own the first truck or trailer.