Obtaining Own Authority

There are a couple of threads right here in this section of the forum . . . just go to the top of this page, click on the 'Ask an Owner Operator' link, and check out the 'docked' threads . . .

 

You came to the right place for information. There are MANY here who are more than willing to help you out.

You only ask about getting your authority, so I'll keep my response to that. You have a couple of options:

1. Do all of the paperwork on your own - after you determine what various forms are required and when they must be filed.

2. Get someone to do it for you.

I chose the latter, and went through OOIDA. The total cost for getting my authority was $805. They did ALL of the paperwork. This fee also includes all of the fees. No additional charges. It took about 15 minutes on the phone, and 27 hours later, they called me with my MC and DOT numbers. They will continue to keep me updated as the process goes on.

I got a package in the mail from them today. It inluded mynumbers, a copy of the BOC-3, a checklist that DOT will use when they come over to do my New Entry Audit, and a Driver Qualification File with all of the forms I need to fill out in order to apply for a job with my company, road test myself, get a physical, etc.

Sure, they made a few bucks on me. But I drive 6 days a week on my current lease operation, and would hate to have my schedule for going independent get screwed up bcause I forgot to dot an "i" or cross a "t" somewhere.

It is a surprisingly easy and painless process when you use professionals that know what they are doing.

BTW, my thanks again to Big Bad Bill, BigJohn54, Red Foreman, JMCCLELLAND and everyone else who has helped along this path!

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-operator/13608-so-you-want-own-your-own.html

It's a docked thread in this section your asking the question.

 

I can give you the condensed version of what you need to obtain your authority. The first thing you will need is insurance. Most brokers and shippers will require you to have a minimum of $1 million liability and $100,000 cargo. But, the feds only require $750,000 liability and no longer have a cargo insurance requirement.

You will also need a registered agent in every state in which you plan on doing business. There are companies who offer this service or OOIDA will do this for you at no charge if you are a member.

The filing fee for motor carrier authority is $300. You can do it yourself or pay a service, such as OOIDA to do it for you. You can go to the fmcsa website and click on the links and it will guide you through the process. Frankly, I see no need to pay someone to do this since it is so simple. It was much different when I got my authority. You can now do everything online. It will usually take about 3-6 weeks from the time you apply until you receive your authority back. I would plan on at least 4 weeks. Some have gotten their authority back sooner, but their is a process which the feds use and a minimum amount of time before they will grant authority.

Before you do anything or spend any money you should see if you can get insurance. Authority will not be granted until you have your insurance in place.

This is the Cliff Notes version and is what you need for authority. For you to get your base plates, permits, etc., you will need active authority and insurance. Most loadboards will also require you to be active before allowing you to register with them.

You can check out the thread that Lilbit mentioned or ask further questions.

 

Good cliff notes version. Forgot to let him know to have enough money to cover his cost of operating for a month or two and just incase $h!t happens!

 

I have found that the biggest issues why one person finds it easy and another is on the phones with the various companies is the terms. Until you are running under your own authority and have done this, you may not understand the difference between two items or that two items are the same thing.

The authority and permints for different states are fairly easy. Challenge can come when getting your plates. Different states want different things, rarely will they tell you cost and often you have to keep calling.

Best of luck and don't be afraid to ask or PM someone for help.

 

"I chose the latter, and went through OOIDA. The total cost for getting my authority was $805. They did ALL of the paperwork"

Jarhead hit the nail on the head, It doesn't take much of your time and running around to waist way more than $805. Let the people that know the 'i's and 't's do it.

 

Some people do prefer to hire someone to do the paperwork for them. You can do the entire registration and application in less than an hour. In fact, it would probably not take more than half an hour. Spend an hour, save $500. Before making a decision you may want to visit the fmcsa website and read through the process to obtain authority. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself you can always pay someone to do it for you. If I were to pay someone, OOIDA would be my first choice.

 

I filed mine on my own. Took about 20 minutes. Of course I still have to get an agent for the BOC-3 form and whatnot. But still a hell of a lot cheaper than 805 bucks. I am sorry but that is completely out of line in price. Hell, you can find plkenty of people willing to do it all for 450 bucks. Thats even more reasonable than OOIDAs 805.