Owner-operators & new fleets · 2026
What it really costs to start a trucking company
Every government fee for your USDOT number, MC authority, BOC-3, UCR, Form 2290, IRP and IFTA, plus what new authorities pay for insurance. Each number links to the agency that sets it.
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Start here: the road to your own authority
Fees checked October 27, 2026- Form your businessLLC or sole proprietor, plus a free EIN from the IRS.
- USDOT numberFree through FMCSA registration.
- MC authority$300 per authority type. Details
- BOC-3Process agents in every state. Private fee.
- Insurance filing$750,000 minimum liability for general freight. Costs
- UCR$46 for 0–2 trucks in 2026; $55 in 2027.
- 2290, IRP & IFTAHeavy-vehicle tax, apportioned plates, fuel tax license.
- Drug testing & ELDConsortium enrollment and a registered ELD before you roll.
2026 government fees at a glance
| Item | Official fee | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT number | $0 | FMCSA |
| Operating authority (MC), per type | $300 | FMCSA (one-time, non-refundable) |
| UCR, 0–2 power units | $46 (2026) · $55 (2027) | UCR Plan / 49 CFR Part 367 |
| Form 2290 heavy-vehicle use tax | $100–$550 / yr | IRS (55,000 lb and up) |
| Clearinghouse query | $1.25 each | FMCSA |
| EIN | $0 | IRS |
| Kentucky KYU number (example state permit) | $0 + $0.0285/mile | Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |
Insurance, the truck, the BOC-3 filing, drug-testing consortium and ELD are private costs. Our guides show published examples and national averages, clearly labeled.
Cost guides
Startup costs
Cost to start a trucking company
Government fees, insurance, the truck and compliance services for a one-truck startup, with a worked Kentucky example.
Authority
Own authority cost
The $300 FMCSA fee is the easy part. Here's everything else your own authority needs before the first load.
Insurance
New authority insurance cost
The biggest startup bill. Federal minimums, real published averages, and how to lower your quote.
How we keep the numbers honest
- Official sources first. FMCSA, the IRS, the UCR Plan, IRP, IFTA and state agencies set the fees, so we link straight to them.
- Private costs are labeled. Insurance, BOC-3 agents and ELDs are priced by companies. We show published examples and industry averages and say so.
- Dated. Every guide shows when the fees were last checked. See how we research.