Applying for your Motor Carrier Authority can be intimidating, stressful, and confusing considering the competing information available online about it. It is also difficult to keep track of all the steps you need to follow. Getting your authority also requires establishing a trucking company, commitment, USDOT Number, attention to detail, and providing all the necessary documents. Read on as Global Multi Services takes us through why every trucking company needs authority.

Meaning Of Motor Carrier Authority

Having your carrier authority means you have the government’s permission to haul freight as a trucking company and get paid for it. The authority is issued through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the form of a Motor Carrier Number. Having a Motor Carrier Permit gives you the ability to choose the type of load you want to carry and also figure out your schedules and routes. This means you have completer freedom on how you want to operate your trucking company.

There are different types of authority depending on the type of freight you want to start carrying and some commercial vehicles might require multiple authorities to cover different types of freight. Some states also require an interstate Authority if you want to carry freight within them. Therefore, you need to apply for a Motor Carrier Authority relevant to your business.

Benefits Of Motor Carrier Authority

It Is Profitable

When you work as a trucker or with an owner-operator for a long time, it’s natural to think of having your authority. The trucking industry is huge and filled with many career opportunities. It also gives you complete independence and also profitable if you’re running your business correctly.

It Gives You Total Control

Although having a Motor Carrier Permit comes with many responsibilities and work, however, it allows you to hire your truck drivers. Over time, you can increase your trucks and drivers. It also allows you to find and negotiate loads.

What You Need To Get A Motor Carrier Authority

Establish Your Business Entity

Having a trucking company is the same thing as becoming a business owner and you have to establish a structure just like every other business. What makes this difficult is that you have different ways to establish your business entity. It might be difficult to figure out the type of business entity to use. But don’t worry, you can contact  Global Multi Services to put you through the entire process.

Apply For Your Authority

Go to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website and fill all necessary forms for your application. They might ask for truck information such as your Vehicle Identification Number, license plate Information, truck weight, tax ID number, and many more.

After submitting your application to FMCSA, the organization gives a chance of ten working days for anyone to protest your authority. Once this ends, you will be asked to post proof of insurance and your BOC-3 form. Which assigns a business in all the fifty states who receive and forward legal documents on your behalf

After completing the Motor Carrier Identification Report Form and your Safety Certification Application, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will give you your USDOT Number. This is very important if you have a commercial vehicle operating interstate.  After reviewing your authority, the FMCSA will send you a letter if they approve your Motor Carrier Authority.