Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about MC authority, compliance filings, pricing, and getting your carrier live without stupid delays.
Getting Started
MC (Motor Carrier) Authority is your federal operating permission from the FMCSA to transport freight or passengers for hire across state lines. If you're hauling goods for other companies (for-hire carrier) in interstate commerce, you need MC Authority. Owner-operators hauling their own goods (private carriers) only need a USDOT number.
The FMCSA typically processes MC Authority applications within 1-3 business days, but your authority won't become active for 10-14 business days after approval. During this waiting period, you'll need to file your BOC-3 and get insurance on file with the FMCSA.
BOC-3 (Blanket of Coverage) designates process agents in all 50 states plus Washington D.C. These are people authorized to receive legal documents on your behalf. It's required by the FMCSA before your MC Authority can become active. We handle this filing for you.
Your USDOT number is your unique identifier for safety tracking and compliance. Your MC number is your operating authority to haul freight for hire. Think of USDOT as your ID card and MC as your license to operate. Most for-hire carriers need both.
While not legally required, forming an LLC is highly recommended. It separates your personal assets from your business, providing liability protection. Most insurance companies and brokers prefer working with LLCs. We can help you through the process.
Compliance
UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is an annual registration required for motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders operating in interstate commerce. Fees are based on fleet size. Miss it and some states can hit you with painful fines, which is an absurdly expensive way to learn what UCR is.
The MCS-150 is a biennial (every 2 years) update you file with the FMCSA to keep your company information current. It includes details like your address, number of vehicles, drivers, and type of operation. It's due based on the last digit of your USDOT number.
Yes. All CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements. You must be enrolled in a DOT-compliant random testing consortium. This applies even if you're an owner-operator with no employees.
Missing deadlines can result in fines, being placed out of service, or losing your operating authority. For example, failing to file UCR can mean fines up to $16,000. An outdated MCS-150 can trigger an investigation. Our compliance monitoring helps you stay on top of every deadline.
Costs & Pricing
Total startup costs typically range from $10,000 to $30,000+, depending on whether you're leasing or buying equipment. Key costs include: truck payment or lease ($1,500-3,000/mo), insurance ($800-2,000/mo), authority filing ($300), BOC-3 ($50), UCR ($76-7,511 based on fleet size), ELD ($20-40/mo), and drug testing ($50-100).
We leverage AI to automate much of the filing process, reducing overhead and passing savings to you. Our goal is to eventually make all core filing services completely free, monetized through partnerships with trucking vendors you'd use anyway — insurance, fuel cards, factoring, and ELDs.
No. We believe in transparent pricing. The price you see is the price you pay. No surprise charges, no mandatory upsells, no 'processing fees' tacked on at checkout.
Technology
Otto is our AI-powered assistant available 24/7 on our website. Ask any question about DOT compliance, trucking regulations, or the startup process and get instant, accurate answers. No hold times, no runaround. It's like having a compliance expert in your pocket.
Our system connects to FMCSA databases and monitors your carrier record in real-time. We track your safety scores, insurance status, authority status, and upcoming deadlines. When something needs attention, you get an alert before it becomes a problem.