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Checklist for New Carriers
Shown below is a list of items that you need to review to insure that you have everything in place that you need to operate legally.
To get started, the most important fact you need to know in order to know exactly what requirements apply to your situation is what the Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is for your equipment. To establish this number, you need to know what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is for your truck and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your trailer and then add these two numbers together. If the total is 26,000 pounds or less your driver and truck requirements are significantly different than if this total is over 26,000 pounds. If your CGVWR is less than 10001 pounds your company requirements are also different.
Once you know what your CGVWR is, you can then determine what the requirements are for your company, your driver(s) and your trucks and shown below is a chart that outlines these requirements.
It should be noted that many hotshot operators register their truck at 26,000 pounds even though the actual CGVWR is over this weight and it normally is not a problem. However, be aware that there is a bit of a risk of being fined and possibly being shut down if you don't have a Class A CDL and you sure don't want to cross a scale weighing more than 26,000 pounds.
Company Requirements
| |
GVWR
0 To 10,000 Pounds |
GVWR
Over 10,000 Pounds |
| USDOT Number Required |
NO |
YES |
| MC Number Required |
YES |
YES |
UCR - Unified Carrier Registration
This is an annual requirement!! |
YES |
YES |
| Typical Liability Insurance Requirement - No Hazardous Material |
$300,000 |
$750,000 |
| Note: Liability Insurance jumps to $1,000,000 if you haul motor vehicles or machinery with a motor because of the fuel in the tanks. |
| Typical Cargo Insurance - Not a requirement but most companies will want you to have $100,000 |
Driver Requirements
| DRIVERS |
Up to 26,000 Pounds |
Over 26,000 Pounds |
| Class A CDL Required |
NO |
YES |
| Join Drug Consortium Required |
NO |
YES |
Truck Requirements
| TRUCKS |
When Required |
| IRP Apportioned Plate |
Over 26,000 Pounds |
| IFTA Fuel Decal |
Over 26,000 Pounds |
A DOT Vehicle Inspection Report
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Before starting operations and annually thereafter. |
| HVUT, the Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, is an annual fee assessed on heavy vehicles. Cost is $100 plus $22 per 1,000 pounds over 55,000 lbs |
Over 55,000 Pounds |
Special State Requirements
| Kentucky KYU Highway Use Tax License for Trucks with a CGVWR over 59,999 Pounds |
| Oregon |
| New Mexico |
| New York Highway Use Tax required for vehicles with a CGVWR of 18,000 Pounds or more. |
Permits to be carried in trucks.
| FMCSA Motor Carrier Authority License. |
| Process Agents Form BOC-3 |
| Insurance Card |
| HAZMAT Certificate (only required if hauling as a HAZMAT carrier) |
| Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
This is due each year and should be paid in October through December for the coming year. The cost of the UCR registration goes up in steps as your fleet size increases. |
| Intrastate Authority from your state. Be sure to check your state's requirement for the pickup and delivery of loads intrastate loads. This is extremely important because your interstate authority may not cover you for and intrastate work you do. Typically this is a simple process and the cost is typically very low except for Texas. |
| Base IFTA License and Decals if required. (if applicable)(expires 12/31 annually) |
| Apportion Plate Cab Card for the apportioned plate on your truck. (If applicable.) |
| IRS 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax |
| Kentucky KYU Account (GVW over 59,999 only) |
| New York HUT (expires every 3 years) |
| Oregon Mileage Tax Account and Bond (expires 12/31 annually) |
| Oversize/Overweight Permits (if applicable)
The permits listed here may or may not be required for your type of operations depending on
the gross vehicle weight of your vehicle. |
| You may be required to furnish this information to the state officials when traveling through each state. Be sure all permits are current and valid.! |
If you get Stopped for Inspection by a Motor Carrier Inspector who has
been certified by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). You will be
asked to produce certain documents during the inspection which includes:
- Your driver's license
- Your medical examiner's certificate
- Your medical waiver, if applicable
- Your record of duty status (logbook)
- Your trip receipts
- Your shipping/delivery papers or manifest
- A vehicle registration for each unit
- Current annual inspections for each unit
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