Applying for Authority steps order

You don't have to show consortium to get an active authority. However, you will have to show a minimum of 750,000 in liability insurance. Great resource from the OOIDA linked below.

https://www.ooida.com/BenefitsServices/Services/docs/AuthorityBook.pdf

 

We're talking about the Federal government, my friend. Toss logic out the window and just follow their ridiculous steps if you want to participate in interstate commerce.

 

The will check for your drug program during the new entrant audit which occurs within 18 months of authority being granted. That is when they will discover that you did or did not have a program in place, and if you drove before having a consortium drug program they can revoke your authority.

The basic steps, in order are;

1. Get insurance quote to be sure you can afford it! You will need insurance in place for at least 21 days before your authority will go active, no way around that!
2. Decide how the business is structured (sole prop. LLC, Corp.) and file papers with your state
3. Submit your OP-1 and MCS-150 thru the FMCSA website to begin authority process
4. Give your insurance company your MC Docket number and pay the down payment to get them to file the required forms and get the 21 day clock ticking
5. Select and pay for your BOC-3 filing (must be done before authority goes active)
6. Find and sign up with a drug testing consortium
7. Complete your driver qualification packet including an employment app on your self and full background check. Yes, it is stupid but you need to do it as if you were a hired driver
8. Create your other required back office record system and files
9. Pay your 2290 on the tractor
10. Obtain your IRP (apportioned plate) account and register your truck
11. Obtain your IFTA account and a set of decals
12. File and pay your UCR (can be done as soon as the day after submitting your MCS-150)
13. File for any needed state permits such as New Mexico weight distance, KYU, NY HUT
14. Have truck lettered with your name, DOT and MC numbers and any other required numbers
15. Create your truck maintenance file now that you have the required information such as license plate number, exp. date and such
16. Sign up for load boards, unless you have direct shipper customers.
17. Go haul some freight

I may have forgot a few, but that is the basics of getting your own authority and the best order to do things in. You will be issued your DOT and MC numbers instantly if you file online but can not haul until your authority has been granted and you receive your letter from the FMCSA stating such. Don't fall for the hired services that promise a quicker turn-around, there is no legal way around the minimum 21 day waiting period for public comments.

One last word of caution, make sure all the business information matches to the exact letter and punctuation, otherwise the FMCSa may reject your application and you are out the non-refundable $300 filing fee.

 

I'm getting mine done through OOIDA right now. I'll probably have my numbers tomorrow, but not legal to haul for about 3-4 weeks. In the mean time I'll get my insurance set up. I'm using OOIDA for the consortium as well.

 

I definitely urge you to follow this; however, I spoke with the FMCSA regarding punctuation, and they advised as long as the words and letters are the same the punctuation was not as important. With that being said, if I called and spoke to somebody else I am sure they would provide a completely different answer.

My situation was asking about adding a comma before Inc followed by a period.

 

From what I understand when you do your own filing, if you make even a simple mistake on the applications, they will reject them and aren't very good about letting you know until you call to see what is taking so long. That's the main reason I'm using OOIDA to file for me.

 

Yes, it does depend on who answered the question. Trouble with a big gov't bureaucracy is not many that work there actually know what they are doing, just like getting tax advice from the IRS.

 

This is why many use a service. It is a simple process but easy to make a mistake that can cost you your filing fee or add unnecessary delay to the process. When you are paying for insurance while waiting for approval each day costs you enough, don't want to add more to it!

The new online application process is easier, almost mistake proof as it checks and verifies most information as you enter it, but still not foolproof.