Paperwork

Knowing which permits and licenses you need and how to get them will smooth the path to becoming an independent operator

The road to operating under your own authority is paved with paper.

“The authority itself takes about three to four weeks to do,” says Carol Pense, vice president of the Permit Connection, an Arkansas-based company that helps operators obtain the proper permits and licenses. “That process could get lengthened if a person doesn’t stay on top of it. It’s hard to know all of the rules.”

To obtain your authority, you need to start with the Master Carrier authority issued by the Federal Highway Administration. Your U.S. Department of Transportation number is issued at the same time. The MC filing fee is $300. You also need to hire a process agent to file for a BOC-3 form to activate the authority. It’ll be about $50.

Once you have your authority, you register it through the Unified Carrier Registration program. The amount will depend on how many units you run — for one owner and one truck, figure $39. The UCR must be renewed each year.

To be on your own, you’ll have to pay for your license plates. Estimate about $1,400, though the amount will vary annually depending on how many miles you run. If you’re leased out, that’s usually handled by the carrier.