How To Get Your California Trucking Authority
A Quick Guide On The Steps Required To Start A Trucking Company & Permit Start Up Cost.
10 Steps To Getting Your California Trucking Permits
- Registering your business in the United States.
- Acquiring your USDOT Number
- BOC-3 – What is a BOC-3
- UCR – Unified Carrier Registration
- CA# – CHP
- EPN – Employer Pull Notification Program
- MCP – California Motor Carrier Permit Application
- IRP & IFTA – International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement Enrollment.
- Drug and Alcohol Enrollment Program
- FMCSA Clearinghouse Enrollment
1. Setting Up your Trucking Business.
To open a legitimate business in the united states you will need to register your company with the secretary of state unless you plan on opening your business as a sole proprietor. Sole proprietors would need to register with their local city hall.
Once you have obtained and secured your business name, you can open a Tax ID Number. Or the FEIN -Federal employers Identification number. The federal employer’s identification number is the id that you will file your business taxes.
Once you have your business registered you can open your bank account and start acquiring your trucking permits
2. California Motor Carrier Authority.
Here is a list of the permit you will need to acquire to get your trucking permits in California.
- USDOT Number
- BOC-3
- UCR
- CA# – CHP
- EPN – Employer Pull Notification Program
- MCP – Motor Carrier Permit Application
- IRP & IFTA – International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement Enrollment.
- Drug and Alcohol Enrollment Program
3. How To Obtain Your USDOT Number.
You will need to register with FMCSA, you can do so online on FMCSA Registration Page. You can also ger your MC # at the same time when you open your USDOT#. If you register afterward you would need to add your authority to your mc number. You would update your USDOT/Authority here: MCS150 Update – USDOT Update.
We made a video that goes over how to process your usdot and mc number application. You can follow step by step here: How To Get Your USDOT & MC Number.
4. BOC -3, What is a BOC-3?
Once you obtain your USDOT and MC number you will need to obtain your BOC-3. What is the BOC-3? BOC-3 is a process agent that takes legal documents on your behalf.
5. UCR - Unified Carrier Registration.
6. CA# - CHP Requirement.
Once you have applied for your USDOT, MC Number, BOC-3, and UCR. It’s time to start quoting insurance so you can obtain your apportioned plates down the line.
Next, it’s time to apply for your CA#.
You will need to fax in the request and follow up to make sure they received it.
You can get the CA# form request here. Cal Trans Ca Number.
7. EPN Enrollment - Employer Pull Notification Notice.
Once you have applied for your CA# you will need to apply for your EPN# everyone who is a corporation is required to obtain one, even if you are the only driver of the company. The EPN program is a program that requires you to run motor vehicle reports on your drivers. This is called a pull notice. This program triggers motor vehicle reports on the drivers you employ. You will need to add each driver to the program. You can enroll online here: California EPN Plan.
8. MCP Application - DMV Motor Carrier Permit Application.
You must have your CA# and EPN# prior to sending in your motor carrier permit application. You will need this information in order to complete the application. There will be a fee based on the information provided and the number of trucks you will have. The MCP is required to be renewed each year with California motor vehicle department in Sacramento. Now you can enroll and renew online here: California Motor Carrier Permit Application.
9. IFTA & IRP Application.
- Transfer the title to your name.
- Apply with your DMV to obtain your Apportioned Plate (commercial plates for Motor Carriers)
- Apply with IRP to get your IFTA tags (you can only do this after you get your apportioned plate confirmation)
10. Drug and Alcohol Consortium Program.
Next up is your drug and alcohol consortium program. If you operate vehicles or employ class A drivers you need to enroll in the drug and alcohol consortium program. You need to make sure that all your drivers are enrolled (including yourself if you have a CDL). All drivers must also sign the drug and alcohol policy before taking the drug and alcohol test. You can find a summary of the rules in detailed with FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Regulations Here.
New rule as of January 2021, you now must also enroll with the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
Here is a step-by-step video we created on how to enroll with FMCSA Clearinghouse.
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