Hi all. I have been an owner operator all my life, but in the last years I'm not earning enough to support my family and the truck. I made the decision to get my own authority. I have a DOT number and I use it to run for the company I'm leased to. My question is if I update the form MCS150 to get my own authority Do my DOT number change? I need to keep on running for my company until I find my own customers. I appreciate all the advise I can get.
I'm confused. Do you have a DOT number because the state you are based in requires it to get plates? Sounds like your DOT number is not activated. Are they going to be paying you enough if you activate your authority and pay the insurance to make up the difference? Why do you think that getting your own authority is going to pay better? This is not meant to be a slam but an observation to help you not make a very big mistake. Your question shows how little you know about what is needed. Do you have an understanding of what it takes and costs to be an independent? Also, have you looked at other options that pay better to lease to.
Yes you would have to get a new USDOT number. That basically tells who ever pulls your info off of the FMCSA web site that you have your OWN insurance, and you work for NO ONE! You have to get a new DOT number, not the company DOT number that you was leased to. It also shows a history of your company profile, not the company your leased to. Think of it as a fresh start. You will make more money having your own authority!
ok I am lost here somewhere I seen advise saying to get your authority while your leased so you can get the 3 years active so the so when you went out you would be able to get loads easier and cheaper insurance but ome post here says you have to carry your own insurance to get your authority?
Yeah, what Oscar said. Does the DOT# on the side of your truck belong to you and you operate as a power only truck pulling trailers for somebody else, or does the DOT# on the side of the truck belong to a company that you are leased to ?
