How to make an MC # Without A Truck

You could do it without a truck. You have to apply and receive the authority and get minimum insurance requirements on it to make it active in order to age the MC. If you just want to obtain the MC and not get insurance on it, you can do that too, and when you’re ready, you’ll have to send FMCSA a letter requesting to reinstate the authority, put insurance on it, and it’s active and ready to go. That is what I did. I had a time frame, got the authority, it was mine but not active for several months, I sent the letter, got it reinstated, insurance, and hit the road with it.

 

I used the NASTC New Authority Plus Program to get mine. I’m a NASTC member still. They have some nice benefits.

 

Total cost to get filed??

 

I can’t remember. You had to pay the yearly membership fee and I also signed up for their safety program which includes the drug consortium and they assist with driver qualification files. I just hired a guy and they make it really simple. I use their fuel card as well, that alone is worth the yearly membership fee, I believe is around 225-230 a year. Their fuel card save me a lot of money.

 

It will only age if active with insurance. I didn’t find the new MC to be an issue with getting freight. The first 6 months are the hardest. It’s not impossible; you’ll just spend more time on the phone in the first 6 months. Any of the big brokerages will load you.

 

Judging by the screen name, are you hauling cars? I have a friend that did that for awhile and he had no problem with a new MC using Central Dispatch, I think is what it’s called? Biggest hurdle in cars is the insurance. I can’t remember what he said his rates were but I remember when he told me, I was surprised how high they were compared to mine pulling reefer.

 

Yes. You’ll need Cargo and liability. FMCSA has the minimum coverage on their website. I can’t remember what it is. If you have the money to pay for insurance on an authority you aren’t using, I suppose you could do that but I’m not sure it would be worth it. There is also the problem that once it’s active you’ll have a New Entrant Audit by the State and later by FMCSA. If you’re leased to someone while all this is going on, I think it would be headache juggling both and meeting their requirements.