DOT Authority

Good morning,
We're still waiting for our Authority to get approved through FMCSA, we've registered our UCR, we just received our TXDMV number yesterday, we sent in the IFTA application and we can't get the IRP until our authority is approved (we went to the DMV Wednesday to get that done but they told us we have to be active first), we've registered with a drug consortium agency and have already taken and passed the first drug test!

We have the ELD system, all of the chains, straps, triangles, fire extinguisher, extra fuses and all of the other stuff required by the federal government.

We waited forever on insurance quotes as well. We ended up using Hubbard insurance agency out of Humble, total cost per year is $16,914 with $3,509.20 down and $1,413.37 for 10 months. We had one other insurance company come in with a quote that was about $1,900. cheaper but they were out of Pennsylvania and we preferred someone local for the convenience.

We're going to try using load boards first and if that doesn't work well we'll look into getting a dispatching service.... Fingers crossed they pay fast because we aren't using a factoring company either. The calls are crazy I usually don't answer my phone unless I know the number.

As far as the trailer we bought a new 35x5 Dovetail gooseneck flatbed trailer from Texas Pride ($13,317.00). If you're getting a car hauler I'd read 24khotshot's review before buying one from Texas Pride. He's had quite a few problems with 2 different NEW trailers he's bought from them.

I've had some suggestions from a few people about removing the bed because of 65' rule which we're right there! Do you know if that's enforced?

 

We only got the TXDMV so we could run in Texas while we're waiting on everything else.... That way we can have some $$$ coming in to help offset all the costs!

We're probably going to have the bed removed!
We won't be hauling any cars either.

We have to go with the stickers because magnets won't stick to the doors on a Ford

I think they should be strong enough to stay on going down the road! I would probably take them off if I was going through a carwash though!

 

I would definitely check on running on the DOT number. We were told if we wanted to run in Texas we needed the TXDMV number as well as the US DOT number.

We're researching on how you switch over from a business truck to a personal truck with the ELD. From what I've been told it shouldn't be hard... We shall see!!!

Lol we are right at 65' but depending on where you hold the tape measure it can be as much as 65'4" so I'm a little worried about it! I've read so many different things about it.... measure from the center of the bumper to the trailer bumper and anything past the bumper is considered overhang.... Measure center of truck bumper to the end of the trailer including anything that hangs over.... Do you know where to measure exactly?

I see trucks pulling flatbed trailers just like ours and they have the bed so I might be overthinking it!

 

That's crazy they told us you get the TXDMV if we were planning on any loads in the state of Texas...I don't know why they can't have one answer to a question! It would make it so much easier. I wanted to go by there and have them measure it but on the same note don't want to draw unnecessary attention.