Trucking Authority

Despite the setbacks presented by the skyrocketingbut for the load as well. It is advised that the names
prices of diesel and other petroleum products, theof the company and owners submitted in previous
trucking industry is still reaping profits. Even if gastrucking papers match the ones provided in their
rates have pushed past the ceiling, companies andtrucking insurance papers to avoid dismissal of
other enterprises still need trucks and rigs to getinsurance applications.
their merchandises delivered to their destinations.Depending on the line of their trucking business,
Joining the trucking industry at this time is quite atrucking insurance requirements for passenger,
risky move, to say the least, but trucks and big rigsproperty, and freight trucking and transportations
and wheelies are still very necessary for mostvary. Companies from the said fields are instructed to
businesses.file a BMC-91 or BMC-91X form, otherwise known as
Creating a trucking business and obtaining truckingthe Public Liability Insurance. If the vehicle to be
authority entails careful planning. Of course, there areoperated has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
some federal regulations like getting a US Dotof 10,000 pounds or more to transport
Number and other regulations to comply with,non-hazardous commodities or hazardous
including trucking insurance.commodities, bodily injury and property damage
Businesses that involve vehicles for commercial(public liability) insurance must be maintained.
purposes, when the nature of their operation includesThe said insurance covers bodily injury, property
ferrying passengers or hauling cargo in interstatedamage, and environmental restoration. Trucking
business affairs and arrangements, trucking andcompanies that cater to passengers are covered by
logistics included, are required to register with theas much as $5 million; $1.5 million for those that seat
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA).15 or less passengers. Freight companies are insured
The application for a US Dot number is of strictfrom $750,000 to $5 million, depending on the cargo
adherence because of its relative importance inthey are transporting.
future dealings such as auditing, crash investigations,Aside from the BMC-91 or BMC-91X form and a US
accidents, and inspections. The US Dot number is theDot Number, motor carriers and freight forwarded
vehicle’s unique identifier and in some states, theshould apply for BMC-34, otherwise known as cargo
registration for such number is needed to finish ainsurance. Cargo insurance covers $5,000 per vehicle
commercial vehicle registration process. The followingfor motor carriers and $10,000 per occurrence.
states require registration of a US Dot number:Freight brokers, on the other hand, can either file a
•    AlabamaBMC-84 or BMC-85, known as surety bond and
•    Alaskaprivate trust agreement respectively, both of which
•    Arizonacan cover a trucking company for as much as
•    Colorado$10,000.
•    FloridaAll Motor Carriers, Brokers, Freight Forwarders must
•    Georgiaalso file a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).
•    IowaHazardous Materials Carriers must file and maintain a
•    KansasHazardous Materials Registration Statement.
•    KentuckyOther documents required by the FMCSA for
•    Mainetrucking authority and legitimization of transport and
•    Michigantrucking operations include an excellent line of
•    Minnesotaarbitration and safety audits from the FMCSA’s
•    Missouriofficial auditors for new trucking firms that will be
•    New Yorkconducted within the firm’s first 18 months of
•    Ohiooperations, which includes the following:
•    Oklahoma•    Driver Qualifications;
•    Oregon•    Driver Duty Status;
•    South Dakota•    Vehicle Maintenance;
•    Tennessee•    Accident Register; and
•    Utah•    Controlled Substances and Alcohol use and
•    Washingtontesting requirements.
•    West VirginiaNon-compliance of the registration requirements and
•    Wisconsinother regulations of the FMCSA may lead to the
•    Wyoming.cancellation of a trucking company’s registration
All authorized for-hire Motor Carriers of non-exemptfor trucking authority and legitimization. In some
property and passengers, Brokers, and Freightinstances, FMCSA deems a non-adhering trucking
Forwarders based in the U.S. or Canada must obtaincompany as ‘inactive’ or ‘out of
Operating Authority before they can begin interstateservice.’
operations in the United States.Trucking companies whose status are marked as
Trucking firms may be required to apply for both US‘inactive’ or ‘out of service’ and
Dot Number and interstate trucking operatingcontinue to maintain operations are violating federal
authority. This depends on the line of the truckingregulations. Aside from legal detention, company
business (forwarder, shipper, and motor carrierowners and truck drivers who go beyond the
among others) and the materials to be transportedpremise of FMCSA’s regulations are also subject
(non-hazardous materials, hazardous substance,to suspensions, detention, and monetary penalties.
property, and passengers). Other repercussions include civil and criminal charges
On top of this, trucking firms and companies still havefor those who continue their trucking operations
to acquire trucking insurance as mandated by federaldespite a suspended or cancelled license or trucking
regulations. Transportation and trucking insurance actsauthority.
like life safety nets not just for the trucks and rigs,