Can someone walk me through the o/o door?

Why get your own authority? Do you have your own customers/freight, or you just gonna deal with brokers? If your gonna deal with brokers, can you afford to run for 1.00/1.20 a mile? Keep in mind insurance cost is gonna be high.

 

For 48 states I paid $2152.00

$750 of that was sales tax on the entire purchase amount of the truck if that applies in your state, which it probably does. If so then it would be more for your truck if your purchase prices is 38k. Mine was 25k. 3% in NC

 

If Your running a day cab, 48 states won't be needed.. Just a couple. That'll save you a LOT of dough! Each state is different, getting a 60 day temp. plate is easy.. When you get the bill for the real one the DMV wants it NOW.. all of it. So have it ready..

How many axles are you running.. Will you be need ing 80,000 GVW? or will less be okay? That could save you more on your tag? Over 80k.. be prepared to pay more for permanent overweight permits. Some states require a double frame to haul heavy..

Make sure the truck is set up to do the job you want to do.. Keep firing away with the questions. Now is the time to ask not after you have the truck and the payments to go allong with it.

Oh, and always have a "plan B" to fall back on.. If groceries don't pan out and you have to jump ship and get into somthing else, have some of the ground work done already so you'll be prepared.. In closing, I feel having a sleeper is a real good idea, Even if it is just a small one, it'll be a LOT more comfortable.. You can catch a few Zzzz's while waiting to load, or pull over and wait for snow, accident, or somthing.. It'll enable you to take a occasional overnight, or to go regional if the local thing doesn't pan out..

 

Just for reference, I just dropped over $1,600 at the Secretary of state for Tax and Title fees.... Then Drove to the IRP office and dropped another $1,022 and change for my 49 State apportioned plate ...And that's only a 7 Month plate... Be prepared it is not a cheap adventure. Don't forget your 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax at $550.00 a year as well . IFTA Fuel Tax and Apportioned plate fees Quarterly, And then you have Insurance "Bobtail About $180.00 a month" My Primary Trucking cost me $80.00 per week right now... You can do it if you have your ducks in a row... It takes time.
Good Luck

 

And you will need to get set up with a drug/alcohol compliance program. Expect an audit from the state DOT within the first 6 months. Routine, but they want to make sure you are keeping all of your records correctly.

You can submit for your own authority yourself online for $300. You will get an MC number immediately, but it won't be active until you comply with the insurance and BOC-3. If you are a member of OOIDA, they can help you for free.

Best of luck to you. You won't ever want to go back to being a company driver after you've been on your own. But I won't lie to you, it's not easy.