Your first 90 days after getting MC authority

A plain-English, sourced guide for new trucking companies: what to file and when, what it really costs, and how factoring rates compare. No lead forms, no made-up numbers.

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5,399 new authorities in the last 30 daysMedian 26 days to grantSources checked Oct 18, 2026

The first 90 days at a glance

Before the grant

Apply in Motus ($300), get your insurer's BMC-91X and your BOC-3 on file within 20 days of publication, and set up drug and alcohol testing.

Days 1–30

Pay UCR, file Form 2290 if 55,000 lb+, set up IRP and IFTA, build driver files, run ELD from load one. Book your first loads.

Days 31–60

Get your broker packets and factoring sorted so cash keeps moving. Watch for insurance cancellations: in FMCSA's data they're the most common reason recent new authorities lost active status.

Days 61–90 and on

Keep records audit-ready. FMCSA's New Entrant safety audit happens within your first 12 months, and monitoring lasts 18.

Tools

Authority checklist →15 steps with official sources. Progress saves in your browser. Startup cost calculator →Official 2026 fees filled in; add your real quotes. Factoring rate table →11 companies, published rates only, dated. New authorities data →Weekly grants, top states, insurers and early revocations from FMCSA data.

Key numbers (official sources)

FMCSA operating authority	$300 per authority type, nonrefundable	FMCSA: Get an MC number / authority to operate
Insurance + BOC-3 deadline	20 days after FMCSA Register publication	FMCSA: Insurance filing requirements
Minimum liability (general freight, 10,001+ lb)	$750,000	49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels
UCR 2027 (0–2 vehicles)	$55 (2026: $46)	Federal Register: UCR fees for 2027 (doc 2026-17893)
Form 2290 HVUT	$100 at 55,000 lb, up to $550 over 75,000 lb	IRS: Form 2290 instructions (July 2026–June 2027)
Clearinghouse query	$1.25	FMCSA: Clearinghouse query costs
New Entrant safety audit	Within 12 months; 18-month monitoring	FMCSA: New Entrant Safety Assurance Program

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