Getting your own authority

Hi Folks. I usually hang out over on the flatbed threads but visit this one occasionally for a couple of reasons 1- I have very good friends that retired a few years ago out of Schneider as a husband/wife company team. Jerry was interested in the IC program when it very first started but decided to stay company. 2- About 6 years ago I almost entered the IC program but decided to get my own authority.

So, after reading your threads and getting an indication that a lot of you want to get your own authority I thought I'd offer 2 cents worth of things to think about.

I applied for my US DOT and MC numbers myself online in 2011. DOT # didn't cost anything, MC# was $350 on a credit card.

DOT # came pretty quick, MC # took almost 4 weeks.

MC # application, you have to provide insurance info and the insurance company will have to provide them with a special "proof of" form. Also, you have to provide a "Process of Service" ( list of one attorney in each state that will represent you in any MC matters. This is also a special form.) I belong to OOIDA and they provide this list and submit it for you at no cost. IMHO, membership in OOIDA is very valuable.

There are businesses out there that will do all this for you but they charge you a lot of money and the MC # still takes time to get. I can't remember if OOIDA will do the complete process for you or recommend a business that they trust.

IFTA, pretty easy to get just another application to fill out. But this does involve good record keeping and time every quarter to fill out the reports. Again, there are services out there that will do this for you but they don't do it for free.

Anyways, I guess what I want to say is that you need to think 6 to 8 weeks ahead if you don't want to loose any time between switching. You need time to investigate, plan, and go through the application process.

Good luck to all of you, keep on truckin.