how much does a new authority cost?

It costs $300 to apply for your interstate authority. It becomes active once you drop $30k on insurance. That becomes active once you own a truck.

Authority is the cheap part.

But seriously, call OOIDA. They specialize in this stuff.

 

Do some reading

So you want to "own " your own company

 

OOIDA if you are a member will file the process agents for free. You need a contact in every state you operate for the public to serve papers if they are suing you. The insurance must be active for a week or so before they grant the authority. Also need cargo insurance to protect the public. Then you must pay the UCR fees. Authority also brings required records you must have. Vehicles, purchase price, tire size and a log of repairs and inspections. Around 6 months after you get authority, you will be subjected to a DOT Audit. You also need to be part of a group that tells you when to be drug tested and have a person designated as a Medical officer that when notified tells you to submit to a drug test. It is a big can of worms that having authority opens.

 

If you are not a driver or have a CDL, get one. drive for a company for a while and see what it is all about.

 

I know a guy who was quoted more than $30K for insurance to get started. Mostly because of his carefree past while driving a 4 wheeler…

 

Don't do it