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New authority checklist

Use this list as a starting point for a new interstate for-hire motor carrier. Weight, CDL, state, and new-entrant facts can add more requirements. Verify each item at the linked official source.

  1. MCS-150 biennial update

    Update your carrier record with FMCSA every two years, in your assigned month, even if nothing changed.

    Government fee: No government fee

    File free at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov · 49 CFR 390.19T

  2. UCR annual registration

    Register and pay the Unified Carrier Registration fee for each calendar year.

    Government fee: $46 for 0 to 2 power units (2026 registration year bracket)

    Register yourself at ucr.gov · 49 USC 14504a

  3. DOT medical certificate

    Each driver holds a current medical examiner's certificate from a certified medical examiner.

    Government fee: No government fee. The exam itself is paid to the examiner, commonly $75 to $150

    Find a certified examiner (national registry) · 49 CFR 391.41 to 391.45

  4. Annual vehicle inspection

    Every commercial vehicle passes a periodic (annual) inspection, with the report kept and a sticker or copy on the vehicle.

    Government fee: No government fee. A shop inspection is a market cost, commonly $50 to $150 per vehicle

    Rule text at fmcsa.dot.gov · 49 CFR 396.17

  5. Driver qualification file

    A file per driver: application, MVR at hire and annually, road test or CDL copy, med certificate, and the annual review of driving record.

    Government fee: No government fee. MVR copies cost a few dollars from your state DMV

    Rule text at fmcsa.dot.gov · 49 CFR 391.51

  6. Liability insurance on file (BMC-91)

    Your insurer files proof of the required public liability coverage directly with FMCSA; for-hire general freight needs at least $750,000.

    Government fee: No government fee. The insurer makes the filing

    Check your filing at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov · 49 CFR Part 387

  7. BOC-3 process agent designation

    A blanket designation of process agents in every state, filed by a registered process agent company. Usually done once at authority setup.

    Government fee: No government fee. Process agent companies charge a one-time fee, commonly $20 to $50

    How BOC-3 works at fmcsa.dot.gov · 49 CFR Part 366

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