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If I stay under 26 k - do I need to keep logs, am I still bound to the 14hr rule for HOS?

What else am I forgeting to to do here? This customer just feel into my lap and they are located 10 minutes from my house. Scary thought is I was supposed to jump in a semi and go to work for someone in a week.

Thanks - Todd soon to be TDS Inc. a legal carrier not an outlaw trucker

Once I apply for my DOT and MC numbers can I start running right away? I have 1 solid customer locked in and I need to get some of their product moved. So after my insurance is bound (Monday) and I apply for my numbers - today, process agent today - can I go deliver a load next week and be legal? I really dont want to run and do the outlaw trucking thing.

No....There will be a processing period before you are legal to transport interstate.  Once you have completed and submitted the OP-01, your status will be "pending" until such things as your MCS-90 & BOC3, are filed.

If I stay under 26 k - do I need to keep logs, am I still bound to the 14hr rule for HOS?

Yes...you're required to keep a log book and adhere to the HOS regulations.

What else am I forgeting to to do here? This customer just feel into my lap and they are located 10 minutes from my house. Scary thought is I was supposed to jump in a semi and go to work for someone in a week.

Your state may require you to file a DBA...(Doing Business As)  Other than that, review the check list below.  The truck lettering part is a little out of date, but the remainder should be reasonably current.  You can see what you'll need to do...such as file UCR, etc.

Thanks - Todd soon to be TDS Inc. a legal carrier not an outlaw trucker

Assuming you're planning on operating interstate for hire.....This is primarily for small carriers over 10K but under 26K.  Most of it is still valid, even though a couple of things may need to be revised.  You can register for the US DOT & MC (operating authority) numbers on line at the FMCSA website.  Do it yourself.  Research the insurance costs FIRST!  If you have any specific questions ask and some one here will try to answer them. 

Good luck //  Don      ....

Item	Where	Cost	Notes
Operating Authority (MC Number)	http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov	$300 one time charge	You need an MC number (aka Operating Authority) if: You are going to be working for yourself (NOT leased onto another company) You are operating interstate (crossing state lines). If you are never leaving your home state, check with your home state for rules and regulations. You will be hauling "for hire." This means you will be hauling other peoples goods. If you are only hauling your own company's goods, you do not need an operating authority. When signing up, they will ask you what type of carrier you are: I am a "common carrier" this basically means that I do business with anyone. There will be descriptions of each type, but this is what most people will be. I would strongly suggest that you do not get your MC number until you have insurance lined up, or at least gotten real quotes. You will have a certain amount of time to get all paper work in order once you get your USDOT/MC number otherwise they will deactivate you. Once you are deactivated it's an $80 charge to re-activate. It also involves more paperwork that cannot be done online.
US DOT number	http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov	FREE	You need a USDOT number if: You are going to be working for yourself (NOT leased onto another company) You are operating interstate (crossing state lines). If you are never leaving your home state, check with your home state for rules and regulations. Regardless of whether you are hauling "for hire" or "not for hire". So, if you need an MC number, then you must get a USDOT number, but not vice versa. If you are getting an MC number, I would suggest getting the MC and USDOT numbers at the same time. The same warning applies to getting your USDOT number with regard to insurance.
Process Agent/BOC-3 filing		$45 per year	A Process agent is basically someone who the FMCSA has on file who will forward legal papers to you. This is a requirement if you have a USDOT number or an MC number.. Many places will set you up for $55 for a 1 time fee. OOIDA will do this for you for free WITH membership, which costs $45/year. OOIDA is the Owner Operators and Independent Drivers Association. They are sort of like lobbyists for the "little" guys.
CDL License	Your local DMV/MVC	Check your licensing state.	Depending on your state, if your gross combination weight is more than 26,000 (most states), or if your trailer gross vehicle weight is more than 10,000 (some states?). Gross combination weight rating is often calculated by adding the GVWR of the power unit (truck) to the GVWR of the trailer. So a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel with a 14K gooseneck trailer would have a GCWR of 9000# + 14000# = 23000#. In this case, a CDL is not required in my state. Some states such as North Carolina for example, will require a CDL if your trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs. However, since my licensing state does not require a CDL, it has been my experience that I can travel freely to and through all states, including North Carolina (or other states requiring a CDL if the trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs), without a CDL.
UCR Registration	ON line	About $40.00	All motor carriers authorized to engage in interstate transportation of passengers or property as a common or contract carrier by the Federal Highway Administration (formerly the Interstate Commerce Commission) shall register in the motor carrier's registration state for all states of travel. Basically, this is another way for the states to get you! You need to sign up and register for UCR.
Primary Liability Insurance	Your insurance agent	$  ?  year a lot of variables here that determine the cost of your premium	This is "the" topic! Primarily because it will be one of your largest expenses. Here are the requirements: $750,000 primary liability for non hazardous commercial vehicles over 10,000 GVWR. $300,000 for vehicles under 10,001 GVWR. Hazardous is a whole different ballgame. 5 million liability regardless of weight. As a "common carrier" (you haul other people's stuff), you also need a minimum of $10,000 of cargo insurance on file. Price per year will depend entirely on your driving history, skills, background, credit, whether or not you have a CDL, etc. My best quote has been with Progressive through an agent for about $6000 a year which includes $750,000 primary liability, $25,000 physical damage on my truck and $10,000 on my trailer with $2500 deductibles. An additional $2700 got me $100,000 of cargo insurance. Your best bet is to speak with a REAL truck insurance broker. Remember to tell your insurance company or broker that you need Federal insurance filings.
Cargo Insurance	Your insurance agent	?/year	See above for more info. Cargo coverage for the value of whatever you will be hauling. For a 3 car hauler I am getting $100,000. Minimum required for all "Common" Carriers is $10,000.
DOT Physical	Any doctor or outpatient clinic	$50	You need a DOT physical every 2 years. Must carry the card on you and keep the long form on file at home. This is one of THE simplest things to do. Here's some more info: They will test your eyesite. They will take a urinalysis (not for drugs). They will make sure you can tell red, green and yellow. They will test your hearing. Other than that, it is basically a regular old physical.
DOT Inspection		$50-$100 or free?	You need to have your truck and trailer inspected every 1 year. You can technically do this yourself if you are qualified. Regardless of whether you do this yourself, or have someone else do it, you need to keep an "inspector qualification form" on file at your home terminal. This basically proves that whomever inspected your truck is qualified. In addition, keep the long form of the actual inspection in the truck, as well as at your terminal. Finally, I put an inspection sticker (short form) on the outside of the truck. The sticker is not a requirement if you have the long form in the truck I don't think but it can't hurt to have both.
Drug Testing	Drug testing	CDL drivers only	"The requirements for drug testing are if you hold a CDL and drive a truck over 26,000 pounds, then you have to be in a random drug testing program. If those two are not met, then a random drug testing program is not necessary according to DOT regulations." This is only required for CDL drivers. If you are a CDL driver you need to be drug tested EVEN if you are a 1 man operation. Contact OOIDA for information about joining a drug test consortium.
FMCSA Regulations Rulebook	Truck stop	$5	Little green book--keep this in your truck. You are required to have access to this.
Vehicle registration	Your local DMV/MVC	$406 for 26,000 in NJ for truck plus $29 for trailer	This will depend on the state. In NJ and some other states, you have to register the vehicle as "COMMERCIAL" and get commercial plates. In NJ if you are pulling a trailer (especially if you are considered a tractor), your registration weight must be for the total of your truck and trailer, not just the GVWR of the truck. Please note that if you are over 26,000 lbs you have to do IRPA (apportioned plates) and IFTA (see below).  Each state will vary depending on how they tag the truck, but over 26K your best bet is probably to apportion.
Fire Extinguisher	Hardware store, home depot.	$15-$25	You must have an "5 B:C" or more mounted and gauged fire extinguisher on your truck or trailer. It can't just be lying in the truck. Wherever it is mounted, it must be marked "FIRE EXTINGUISHER" or "FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSIDE".
Safety Triangle Set		$10	You must have a DOT approved safety triangle set. You can pick this up from Ryder Flet Products for cheap!
HOS (Hours of Service) Log Book		$5	Here is the lowdown on log books. First of all if your GVWR/GCWR is under 10,001 lbs., you are free to drive as much as you want without stopping and without logging. If you are returning to your home terminal every day and you are not traveling more than 150 nautical miles (1 nautical mile is 1.15 miles) then you do not need to keep a log book, but you do need to keep a "RODS" (Record of Duty Status). If you are over 26,000 lbs, this changes from 150 nautical miles to 100 nautical miles. If you are driving "over the road", i.e. you will not be returning to your home terminal, you must carry an official HOS log book and fill it out every time your status changes. Regardless of whether or not you are returning to the home terminal, you have to follow the "Hours of Service" regulations. You must be able to show a 7 (?) day history.
Daily Vehicle Inspection Log Book		$5	You have to do a pre and post trip inspection of your vehicle every day. Keep copy in the truck and another copy at terminal (?). A lot of HOS log books will also have a daily vehicle inspection log in the same thing. This is basically going over your truck to make sure everything works-- lights, brakes, couplers, horn, etc.
Bill of Lading Forms		$5	I believe that you have to have a "Bill of Lading" form filled out, with you, in the truck, for anything that you are hauling (that is not yours?). Can find example online and customize it for your own company and have it photocopied.
Spare bulbs and fuses	Local auto store	$10	Carry spare fuses for truck and trailer lights. Spare bulbs for same.
Mud Flaps	Depends on vehicle model	$10-$30	Mud flaps on the rear wheels. Rules change from state to state. Some states require reflective tape on the mudflaps. Some require them to be no more than 4" above the ground, etc.
IRPA			IRPA is International Registration Plan. Basically it is uniformed registration across all states. You are required to have apportioned plates if you operate in two or more jurisdictions and your vehicle(s) meet one or more of the following requirements: * the power unit licensing weight is 26,001 lbs., or higher; * the power unit has more than two axles regardless of licensed weight; * the power unit is used in combination and the said combination is 26,001 lbs.or higher; or * the power unit performs commercial intrastate movements in another jurisdiction other than Missouri, regardless of licensed weight. Please note that a "jurisdiction" is a state. This is from the MO DOT page. MO suggests that you need IRPA if you are interstate regardless of licensed weight however to my knowledge this is not correct. You do not need IRPA unless you are over 26,000 lbs. gcwr/gvwr.
IFTA			IFTA is the International Fuel Tax agreement. You are (may be) required to have an IFTA license if you operate in two or more jurisdictions and the power unit: * Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. or higher; * Has three or more axles regardless of weight; or * Is used in combination and the said combination is 26,001 lbs. or higher. This is from the MO DOT page.
Truck Lettering	Local sign store, or	$50-150	You need to have labeled on both sides of your vehicle, readable from 50 feet while not moving: Your company name Home terminal location US DOT 1234567 MC 123456 4567 For example mine looks like this: #xxxxxx ZZZ TRANSPORT HAPPYLAND, MS USDOT xxxxxxxx MC xxxxxx GCWR 26000 Base terminal address...City and State are no longer required xxxxxx is truck number. GCWR 26000 specifies my gross combination weight rating. You might need additional things depending on where you are driving. For example I think in Colorado you have to have the last 8 (?) digits of your VIN? Also if you are leased, this is different too, but the company you are leasing to should help you out with what is \required. You can put this on a removable magnet.
Driver Qualification File / Packet		$10	You need to create a file for yourself and have it readily available on file at your home terminal. While this seems a little absurd because "I know my own work and driving history" you need to have it in written form for when you get auditted but the DOT. I got the " Deluxe Driver Qualification File Packets" from usadrivesafe.com for 10 bucks. OOIDA also has these for $7. Just added! Thanks to one of the guys on hotshothauling for this link, you can get all these forms for FREE from the FMCSA.
Other stuff	You might not think about		Please remember this entire document, while seemingly overwhelming is just the beginning! Other things you might need: A written maintenance plan for truck and trailer 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch Inverter for powering 110v appliances Printer - If you use an electronic (computer based) HOS/logging program you need to be able to print our your logs. Please note that laser printers may not work or be damaged on a modified sine wave inverter (most cheap inverters are modified sine wave). Business cards CB Radio Laptop Computer Fax machine or fax to e-mail account (I use MyFax.com) Tie downs for your cargo or tarps Insurance down payment (can be a good portion of your yearly cost) Cell phone Other taxes/licenses - Other states you travel to/through may require different licenses. For example in NY I need to sign up for the NY HUT (Highway Use Tax

What is UCR???

Where does one go to get a DOT inspection done can this be done at a local mechanic??

The MCS - 90 should be completed and forwarded by the insurance company - correct??

The BOC -3 - Can I do that online through OODIA or evilsor?

Truck numbering I can have done this coming week.

My dot physical is current, cdl is clean, I need mud flaps, fire, triangles, and the misc stuff. But its really just paperwork filling time. How long does it take for all the paperwork to go through???? The boc3 should be right away, the numbers would be pretty quick, and as long as my insurance agent gets their end done right away I would think it would hopefully go soon.

Thanks for your help. - Todd

DOT inspections have to be done by authorized persons, I had mine done by the shop at a TA. Some state DOT will do the inspection also. You need to have truck AND trailer done.

I used Evilisor (think thats how its spelled) They were great and by far the cheapest.

Insurance company will file all the paperwork with DOT. All depends how fast they work.The biggest thing is to wait till the paperwork is all done and they (dot) remove the "pending" from your status. As long as its pending you legally can not transport, regardless if all else is in order.

One more thing, THANKS for being a legal carrier

Eric

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the tough drink more,

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