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Trucking companies follow strict regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to stay compliant. From obtaining MC Authority, processing UCR Renewals, to IRP Plates Renewal.

The trucking industry is one of the most significant and ever-growing industries in the United States. These present business opportunities for many people in the country. Though highly competitive, it has great potential for entrepreneurs that understand the business.

There is so much benefit to running a trucking business. These include: choosing your niche, routes, rate per miles, the companies to work with, and many more. It also provides a perfect combination of freedom and financial success.

But despite all the benefits mentioned above, starting a trucking business is lucrative and capital intensive, with multiple costs associated depending on your business niche. Also, it can sometimes be overwhelming with hurdles and challenges. That is why many people avoid venturing into the business despite the potential benefits they can enjoy.

Do you want to start a trucking business but don’t know where to begin? Global Multi Services highlights a straightforward guide that will steer you in the right direction.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO VENTURE INTO THE TRUCKING BUSINESS?

With driver shortage, increasing freight demand, and rates, you have the potential to make a lot of money by venturing into a trucking business. Aside from the ease of access into the industry, you will also build a sustainable business. But you will need to do thorough research to understand how the industry works. You also need to look for customers and contracts because they do not magically appear.

Here are things to do before starting a trucking business.

HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN

Having a business plan is very crucial when starting a trucking business. Just as a new job requires a fresh perspective and goals, a new trucking business needs an organized plan. A business plan is your fundamental guide and roadmap that determines your success. It is a GPS that gets you from where you are now to where you want to be.

It also helps you articulate your value proposition and shows potential obstacles down the road. Your business plan should include your financial budget, the type of equipment you plan to buy or lease, market niche, and other crucial business decisions.

CHOOSE A NICHE

Targeting the right market niche is crucial when starting a trucking business. Having a niche help streamline your operational processes and resources, optimize your sales, avoid competition with many companies and establish your name in the industry,

PERMITS AND LICENSE

Trucking companies must have specific licenses and permits to operate legally in the trucking industry. The type of permit you need depends on your market niche, base state, the type of freight you haul, and many more.

HOW TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE IN THE TRUCKING BUSINESS

Staying in compliance in the trucking industry requires obtaining several permits. The permits allow you to operate legally as a trucking business and also allow your trucks to transport freights across state lines. Having all these permits prevents you from paying hefty fines and penalties.

Here are permit and renewal processes to stay compliant in the trucking industry.

ACQUIRE YOUR MC AUTHORITY

MC Authority is mandatory for trucking companies operating across the United States. The authority indicates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has given the trucking company permission to transport goods on public roads. There are other trucking-related registrations that a new business must obtain. They include IRP Plates, UCR Permit, IFTA Permits, and many more.

OBTAIN IFTA LICENSE

The International Fuel Tax Agreement is mandatory for trucking companies operating across interstate and international borders. Qualified motor carriers must register in their base state and obtain IFTA License with two IFTA Decals. They are also required to file IFTA Fuel Tax Returns quarterly in their base state.

PROCESS UCR RENEWAL

Trucking companies must obtain UCR Permit and process their UCR Renewals annually to run their trucking business smoothly. The Unified Carrier Registration is a federally-mandated program for trucking companies operating interstate and internationally. Trucking companies must apply in their base state and renew their permit before the expiring date to avoid penalties.

FILE IRP PLATES RENEWAL

The International Registration Plan allows trucking companies to operate across multiple jurisdictions using a single license plate. But they must register in their base state to obtain IRP Plates. All registered motor carriers must keep records of the distance covered in each member jurisdiction to process IRP Plates Renewal.

 

 

 


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With more than 500,000 trucking companies in the United States, growing your trucking business can be stressful but, it is achievable. While the industry grows more and more competitive, the best way to remain relevant is to find customers to work with regularly. So, it is essential to take every opportunity to improve your business. These include effective marketing tactics, staying compliant by filing UCR Renewal, and many more. Having the right strategy in place for marketing your business helps build brand credibility and trust. It also increases brand visibility, generates new business, and many more. Read on as Global Multi Services explain different marketing ideas to boost your trucking business.

 

UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE

An online presence is a great way to attract your potential consumers. Having a website is a great way to keep your business relevant in the digital world. Therefore, every trucking company needs an effective website designed by an experienced web professional with graphics and technical skills. These create an online environment that showcases all aspects of your services, such as company history, high-quality images, videos, articles, and info-graphics.

The “Contact Us” page provides an email and a toll-free number for reaching the company. It must also be simple, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.  Nobody is interested in a website that is frequently down, contains dead links, or is outdated.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest are places where people with similar interests come together. It is a simple but impactful marketing tool for your trucking business. Having a social media account builds trust and creates an online reputation. It also helps you connect with your customers and gives you an additional avenue to reach your targeted customers.

Plus, social media allows your customers to rate your work and recommend you to others. When building your social media profile, ensure all the information is correct and include a toll-free number, website link, and many more. You can also have multiple social media account but make sure the information is the same.

STAY COMPLIANT WITH UCR RENEWAL

Staying compliant is a vital part of your trucking business. Obtaining your IRP Plate, IFTA Permit, filing UCR Renewal, and many more can boost your reputation. Your customers are at peace knowing you have all the licenses and permit to transport their freight. Companies like Global Multi Services make handling paperwork easier and help you stay in compliance without stress. These prevent fines, penalties, and delays.

IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE

According to analysis, many companies fail because they do not stay in touch with their customers. Therefore, if you want to stand out and gain repeat customers, you must have good customer service. Send them emails and newsletters about your newest services. Be available to answer their question and update them when needed. Let your customers know you care about them and address complaints with caution. Always remember that loyal customers are the best type of customers.


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The UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is a program that supplanted the Single State Registration System (SSRS). This program requires people and organizations that work business engine vehicles in interstate or global trade to enlist their business with a partaking state and pay a yearly expense dependent on the size of their armada. This incorporates ALL transporters private, absolved, or a recruit. Representatives, cargo forwarders, and letting organizations are likewise needed to enroll and pay an expense except if they additionally work as an engine transporter.

The cycle is exceptionally straightforward. Each organization is needed to pay its UCR Permits charge with a base express (the state where you dwell basically). In the event that your base state doesn’t take an interest in the program, you are needed to pay your UCR expense through a neighboring, partaking state. At present, the accompanying states are not partaking: Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

Most domestic transporters are needed to enlist and pay expenses every year under the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement prior to working. This is finished by documenting a UCR Application with the express your organization is situated in. In the event that your organization is situated in a non-UCR state, you’ll have to record with a neighboring state.

All interstate, available property and traveler transporters, and absolved engine transporters working CMVs must enroll every year and pay a UCR charge dependent on the number of commercial engine vehicles they work in interstate trade. The expense is payable to the transporter’s base state.

Unified Carrier Register Plan Reports

The Unified Carrier Registration Plan is detailing that, on March 28, 2019, a site weakness existed in its online National Registration System that might have conceivably uncovered a UCR registrant’s Tax ID number for a time of 28 days in March 2019.

The UCR verified that, during the time of March 1, through March 28, a UCR registrant’s Tax ID number was shown in the status bar of the internet browser of the receipt endless supply of the enrollment cycle in the National Registration System. Quickly after learning of the site weakness on March 28, the UCR dispensed with the site weakness by totally eliminating the utilization of Tax ID numbers in the National Registration System.

Presently, the UCR employed a main autonomous network safety firm to play out a legal examination concerning the function.