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United States Department of Transportation(USDOT#)
The United States Department of Transportation(USDOT #) is used to identify and monitor motor carrier's safety, compliance and inspections.
Motor Carrier Number (MC#)
Motor Carrier Number(MC#) or operating authority(OP1) determines the type of operation a company may run and the cargo it may carry.
Unified Carrier Registration(UCR)
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is an agreement among the states set up by Congress. Annual Fees are required if you are running interstate.
Insurance
FMSCA requires (1 & 2):
- Primary Liability insurance: This insurance will protect the insured against claims resulting from injuries and damage to other people or property. Coverage is required before authority can be authorized. FMSCA requires $750,000; however, most vendors require $1 million coverage.
- Commercial General Liability: This insurance will protect your business if someone sues you for causing property damage or bodily injury.
- Physical Damage: This insurance will provide coverage that occurs when there is damage to the insured own vehicle.
Blanket of Coverage(BOC-3)
The Blanket of Coverage gives authority of a person to receive legal documents on your companies behalf for every state your business operates. This is required to have your authority authorized for service.
DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), along with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requires that persons subject to the commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements and their employers follow alcohol and drug testing rules. These rules include procedures for testing, frequency of tests, and substances tested for.
Who's Impacted:
- Anyone employing CDL drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) on public roads
- CDL drivers who operate CMVs on public roads
- Interstate motor carriers
- Intrastate motor carriers
- Federal, State, and local governments
- Civic organizations (disabled veteran transport, boy/girl scouts, etc.)
- Faith-based organizations
International Registration Plan(IRP)
The International Registration Plan (IRP) is the registration of commercial motor vehicles registered by other jurisdictions through your home state. Apportioned licensing fees are based on the total distance traveled in each state.
International Fuel Tax Agreement(IFTA) Data & Preparation
The International Fuel Tax Agreement is the reporting of fuel consumption is used by motor carriers that operate in more than one state.
New Entrant Safety Audit
FMCSA's New Motor Carriers are monitored for compliance their first 18 months.
You are a motor carrier if your vehicle:
- Weighs at least 10,001 pounds, and operates in interstate commerce, or
- Transports more than 8 passengers (including the driver), for-hire (compensated), or
- Transports more than 15 passengers (including the driver), private (not for compensation), or
- Transports amounts of hazardous materials requiring placards (49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C).