Your first 30 days

What you must have. What you can skip. Which calls to hang up on.

Two things hold up most MCsTruck insurance and the BOC-3. Both are filed by someone else, not you.

A month is normalMost new MCs are still waiting after 30 days. That is not a problem.

Nobody can rush FMCSAAnyone who says they can, for a fee, is lying.

Rules change and every trucking company is a bit different. This is a plain map, not legal advice. FMCSA has a free help line if you get stuck.

How this works

First you get a DOT number. Then you file for an MC number. FMCSA puts your filing out in public and waits.

While it waits, two forms have to come in. Your insurance company files one. Your process agent files the other. When both are in and the wait time is up, FMCSA turns your MC number on. Then you can haul for pay.

Want to see which step you are on? Check your number.

What you must have

What	What it is	Who files it
Truck insurance	Proof you carry liability cover. For most freight the least FMCSA takes is $750,000. Your insurance company sends in a form called the BMC-91X. You cannot send it yourself.	Your insurance company
BOC-3	You name someone in each state who can take legal papers for you. One filing, done online. Most people use one agent who covers all states.	A process agent
UCR	A yearly fee you pay your home state once you cross state lines.	You, online
Plates and fuel tax	Called IRP and IFTA. For trucks over 26,000 pounds that cross state lines. You get both through your state.	You, through your state
Drug and alcohol program	If you or your drivers hold a CDL, you sign up in the Clearinghouse and run checks. You also need a testing program. Most small fleets join a group plan.	You
ELD	An e-log box. Most drivers who keep logs need one. There are a few short-haul cases where you do not.	You, buy or rent
New entrant audit	FMCSA checks your files in your first year. Keep driver files, repair records, and logs from day one.	FMCSA sets it up

What you can skip

These help some people. None are required. Ask the price and the contract length before you sign.

Service	What it does	Straight talk
Factoring	They pay you now for your load, then wait for the broker. They keep a cut.	Good if you cannot wait 30 to 60 days for fuel money. Check the fee and the contract length. Some lock you in for a year.
Dispatch service	They find loads and haggle for you. They take a percent.	Helps in the first months if you have never booked a load.
Load boards	Where brokers post loads.	Most drivers pay for one. Shop around.
Fuel cards	Cheaper diesel at truck stops. Some give you credit.	Worth it once you roll. Watch the fees.
Compliance packages	A bundle of filings and paperwork help.	Some are fine. Some charge you for free stuff, or for work already done. Ask what they file and what it costs on your own.

Calls to hang up on

Anyone who says your MC is dead and you must pay them to fix it. Check it yourself first.
Anyone who says FMCSA requires a service that is not on the list above.
Anyone using a seal, a badge, or words like "official notice". FMCSA does not sell you things and does not pay people to call you.
Anyone who will not put the price and the contract length in writing.

FMCSA takes reports about this. Search for "FMCSA misleading marketing" to see their page and the number to call.

Why the calls happen

Your filing is public the day you send it. Sales teams buy lists of new filings and call every name. It is legal, and it is why your phone will not stop.

That is why we built this page. One place that shows where you stand. If you want help, we send you to one company, not a list.

Check my number