Permits

[dhalltoyo]

I know that when a person leases to a carrier and goes through that carrier's orientation, they are given a notebook full of permits.

I really never have been asked to produce those permits by a DOT officer, so I haven't given them much thought.

My questions are:

"What are the requirements for an independent O/O with their own authority regarding permits?"

"If an independent O/O is requirement to have all of those same permits that were given to me at orientation, how do they go about getting those permits?

 

[x06col]

Permit requirements for all Carriers are the same, depending on where you choose to run, and with what.

You would apply for, and justify the need for your services with a number of different entities.

When successful, you would not be an independent O/O necessarily, but, a Carrier. Then you could be scorned, like all the rest.

 

[ThibodeauxBayou]

I would assume you're considering getting your own authority ? As obtaining permits
would of course, only be a requirememnt for the O/O.

The entire process can indeed be done on your own. It's extremly time consuming
and requires a multitude of various filings. You'd be dealing with both the FEDS
and your own state. After I realized what was involved, I paid for the entire
process to be handled for us.

THE PROCESS:

Federal Steps:

MC Number– Issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Motor Carrier (MC) Number is what constitutes authority to cross state lines for hire as a motor carrier. All companies transporting freight for hire are required to obtain an MC Number.


USDOT Number– Issued by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), the USDOT Number is the main tracking number for your trucking company registering the number of trucks you have, number of drivers you have, and the safety rating of your company. A USDOT NUMBER DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AUTHORITY.


BOC 3 Process Agents– Process agents are people designated in each state that can accept legal documents on your behalf and then return them to you in your home state. BOC 3 Process agents are a requirement to obtaining federal authority.


Insurance– A carrier must obtain Liability and Cargo insurance. It is recommended that you obtain a One Million Dollar Liability policy and a $100,000 Cargo policy. You will need to obtain insurance within the first two (2) weeks after the MC number is filed to avoid any delays in your authority processing. If you fail to get insurance on file within the first 60 days then your authority application will be dismissed. If you do not obtain insurance within that year’s time, you will have to start the authority process over again and repay all applicable fees.






State Steps:

UCRA Unified Carrier Registration Agreement: All motor carriers, regulated, exempt and private as well as interstate brokers, Freight Forwarders and leasing companies are subject to the fee's under the UCRA. Fee's are calculated per company based on the number of commercial motor vehicles it operates. Commercial motor vehicles includes trailing equipment as well as power units. (i.e.: number of trucks plus the number of trailers as well as power units = number of commercial motor vehicles).

IFTA– The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is for trucks with a GVW over 26,000 lbs operating interstate for-hire. All 48 states and the Provinces of Canada participate in the IFTA program. Once registered there will be quarterly tax filings due. You are required to keep track of the mileage traveled in each state and all of your fuel purchases. Some states charge a small one time registration fee to get started but usually it is free.


IRP– The International Registration Plan (IRP) is for trucks with a GVW over 26,000 lbs operating interstate for-hire. All 48 states and the Provinces of Canada participate in the IRP Program. The IRP covers the apportioned tags for the truck. There is a yearly fee to register to operate your truck in each state or province. The cost is dependent on the miles you run in each state or province for the year. The average cost ranges from $1200 to $1600.


Simple Permits:NY, NM, KY, & OR – These states require an extra permit to operate within their borders. Once registered there will be tax filings due based on the miles traveled in each of these states.


Blue Ridge TM llc - Get your trucking authority here

We used BLUE RIDGE out of Bogart,Ga. to process our authority.[and all permits]
The cost for both vehicles was under $600 [or do it yourself for free]
NOTE: the $600 is in addition to all the other various fee's associated with first getting started.

These folks do 99% of all the paperwork for you. They were very
friendly to deal with and had everything processed properly. They are
now working with us in obtaining our own Brokerage Authority. testing required

 

[dhalltoyo]

Do permits apply to trucks under a 10,000lb GVWR?

 

[fastrod]

Authority for 10,000# and under is quite different than for 10,001# and up. Not much is required to get or keep it other than maintaining the proper insurance and UCR. I used Permits Plus to get mine.

 

[dhalltoyo]

I can not find a definitive answer about the UCR requirement for trucks under a 10,000 GVWR.

The FMCSA site does not indicate that it is required when you use the Online Registration process that prompts you based upon the information you input.

 

[Tom911]

I am running a Sprintr and it is under 10000 gvw and if I don't haul hazmat, passengers or pull a trailer, my Sprinter is not considered a "Commercial Vehicle.

 

[greg334]

I am running a Sprintr and it is under 10000 gvw and if I don't haul hazmat, passengers or pull a trailer, my Sprinter is not considered a "Commercial Vehicle.

Under Michigan Law if you are 'for hire' or over 5500 engaged in a commercial activity, it is a commercial vehicle and subject to the commercial vehicle laws.

Every state is different but interstate, the laws of the state you are in have to be followed.

 

[RLENT]

...... my Sprinter is not considered a "Commercial Vehicle.

You need to clear up the difference in the definition of
"Commercial Vehicle" and "Commercial Motor Vehicle" - as Greg points out, just because you aren't considered a CMV by the Feds doesn't mean you get off scot free.