Trucking Start-Up Essentials

Trucking Startup

What You Need To Know

Starting any business can be expensive and time consuming. Below we outline the basic items needed to start a trucking company. If it looks overwhelming, don’t worry – we can help!

Our competitors over-sell you on unneeded items and services.

4 Reasons To Let CNS Help

Don’t get overwhelmed by the paperwork and documentation
Stay in compliance with the FMCSA regulations
We’ve helped many trucking startups and know what makes new companies successful
We won’t over-sell unneeded items or services that don’t ultimately help you get your business on the road

Our specialists take the time to learn about your operation and will let you know what you will need to be completely DOT compliant.

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Get started without all the headaches!

Please fill out the form below to get started or for more information. Learn how you can start your business and stay in company and DOT compliance. We are here to help answer any questions.

Learn more about the DOT ESSENTIALS

Make Your Trucking Startup A Reality

We at CNS are excited for your new venture to become reality. We’re here to help you navigate the path towards starting a trucking company.

There are five main steps you need to walk through to start your trucking company. These are:

Decide on Type of Company to form
Obtain a Federal Employer ID
Comply with Trucking Safety regulations
Obtain proper Trucking Insurance
Join mandatory Drug and Alcohol Consortium

What You Can Expect From CNS

Licensing and Permitting | DOT Licensing | CNS

CNS can help with each step of the start-up process!

Start an LLC: This is a business structure that combines pass-through taxation (like a partnership or sole proprietorship), with the limited liability of a corporation.

Obtain Federal Employer Identification Number: Use this number to file your business tax returns.

Obtain a USDOT Number: Obtaining a USDOT Number can be confusing and costly. Here’s where CNS can help by getting your number quickly and accurately.

Obtain a MC Authority: Operating as for-hire carrier or passenger transport? CNS can obtain the MC number while applying for the DOT number.

File a BOC-3: A BOC-3 is a required United States filing that activates your Motor Carrier Authority. It is required before federal operating authorities can be granted in the U.S.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) States: If you drive in New York, Kentucky, Connecticut, New Mexico or Oregon you may need to apply for further credentials beyond IRP.

Plan to File Heavy Highway Use Tax (2290): Truckers with a vehicle that has a taxable gross weight of 55,000+ pounds, are required to electronically file HVUT Form 2290.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR): The UCR Program requires individuals/companies to register business with a participating state and pay an annual fee based on the size of their fleet.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Sticker: IFTA simplifies the reporting of fuel used by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction.

International Registration Plan (IRP) Sticker: The unique feature of IRP is that, even though license fees are paid to the various jurisdictions in which fleet vehicles are operated, only one license plate/cab card is issued for each fleet vehicle.

Now that you have obtained your DOT# and/or operating authority you will need to obtain insurance.

CNS’ sister company CNS Insurance can help you get the required and needed insurance coverages tailored for your business.

There are different types of insurance available include:

Primary Liability
Cargo Insurance
Physical Damage
Non-Trucking Use (Bobtail)
Worker’s Compensation Insurance

You can expect to pay much higher insurance rates if you do not have 2+ years of experience.

Other factors to the cost of your insurance include age, personal driving history, garaging location, the distance you drive, and your credit score.

We partner with one of the premiere truck/passenger insurance agencies that can obtain the best coverage at affordable cost.

Driver File Management | DOT Driver Services | CNS

Use a Driver Qualification File (DQF) Service

Trucking companies need to keep impeccable records in the event of an audit. Physical or electronic driver files allow you to pull an MVR report, look at previous employer inquiries, PSP reports and more.

CNS has solutions to keep your Driver Qualification Files up to date with regulations and ready to help you pass an audit. All of our driver files are monitored by actual DQF specialists to ensure documents don’t expire. We communicate personally about soon-to-expire materials to avoid computer overlooks.

Join the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Consortium

Anyone holding a Commercial Driver’s License needs to have a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in a DOT drug and alcohol consortium.

CNS offers a low-cost, DOT-compliant service that covers DOT random testing through the year. Our service gives you a secure portal to track test results. We also have personal representatives to call when you have questions.

Install a Compliant Electronic Logging Device

Per a 2017 Electronic Logging Device mandate, non-exempt carriers are required to install an FMCSA-registered and compliant electronic logging device.

Today’s ELDs can actually help you grow your business. ELDs offer many fleet management features like diagnostic tools and advanced reporting. With their reports, you can maximize your fleet efficiency and simplify your operations.

Start-up Compliance

CNS can help with each step of the start-up process!

Start an LLC:

This is a business structure that combines pass-through taxation (like a partnership or sole proprietorship), with the limited liability of a corporation.

Obtain Federal Employer Identification Number:

Use this number to file your business tax returns.

Obtain a USDOT Number:

Obtaining a USDOT Number can be confusing and costly. Here’s where CNS can help by getting your number quickly and accurately.

Obtain a MC Authority

Operating as for-hire carrier or passenger transport? CNS can obtain the MC number while applying for the DOT number.

File a BOC-3

A BOC-3 is a required United States filing that activates your Motor Carrier Authority. It is required before federal operating authorities can be granted in the U.S.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) States

If you drive in New York, Kentucky, Connecticut, New Mexico or Oregon you may need to apply for further credentials beyond IRP.

Plan to File Heavy Highway Use Tax (2290)

Truckers with a vehicle that has a taxable gross weight of 55,000+ pounds, are required to electronically file HVUT Form 2290.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

The UCR Program requires individuals/companies to register business with a participating state and pay an annual fee based on the size of their fleet.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Sticker

IFTA simplifies the reporting of fuel used by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction.

International Registration Plan (IRP) Sticker

The unique feature of IRP is that, even though license fees are paid to the various jurisdictions in which fleet vehicles are operated, only one license plate/cab card is issued for each fleet vehicle.

Obtain Insurance

Now that you have obtained your DOT# and/or operating authority you will need to obtain insurance.

CNS' sister company CNS Insurance can help you get the required and needed insurance coverages tailored for your business.

There are different types of insurance available include:

Primary Liability
Cargo Insurance
Physical Damage
Non-Trucking Use (Bobtail)
Worker’s Compensation Insurance

You can expect to pay much higher insurance rates if you do not have 2+ years of experience.

Other factors to the cost of your insurance include age, personal driving history, garaging location, the distance you drive, and your credit score.

We partner with one of the premiere truck/passenger insurance agencies that can obtain the best coverage at affordable cost.

DOT Compliance

Use a Driver Qualification File (DQF) Service

Join the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Consortium

Anyone holding a Commercial Driver’s License needs to have a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in a DOT drug and alcohol consortium.

Install a Compliant Electronic Logging Device

Per a 2017 Electronic Logging Device mandate, non-exempt carriers are required to install an FMCSA-registered and compliant electronic logging device.

Part 1: Lifestyle

Know what lifestyle you want

If you’ve got the vision to start a trucking company, now is the time to make that vision reality. If you manage your new business the right way, you can see $100,000 plus in profit per year as a single owner-operator.

With CNS by your side, this roadmap to success will help you prevent the many headaches new trucking companies face when getting off the ground to year three of your business.

part 2: pre-planning

How to pre-plan for your business

The choices you make from this point forward greatly impact your startup cashflow, growth timeline, and large future payment dates. A solid business plan will list expenses and revenue expected in your new company. Expenses can be up to $20,000/month as a startup. This stage includes putting aside money for the investments needed in your new career. And don’t forget… location, location, location. What do we mean? Find out!

Proactive Safety Management

PSM DOT Essentials Program

Is the DOT Essentials program a fit your company?

Our PSM DOT Essentials Program is a program designed to keep motor carriers compliant with the basic DOT regulations that nearly all carriers must follow.

Trucking Startup

What You Need To Know

4 Reasons To Let CNS Help

FREE CONSULTATION