How Long Does It Take For My Authority To Go Active?

Jan 16, 2025 at 02:01 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. The second question most carriers ask me on a regular basis is: "How long will this whole process take?" I would plan on 3-4 weeks before you can start running out of state. Your DOT number will usually go active and be visible online 24 hours after your file for it. If you plan to travel out of state though, you will have to wait around 3 weeks for your authority to go active. All new authorities are reviewed by the FMCSA and must have a minimum of a 3 week waiting period before being approved. In some cases they require additional review and can take a bit longer. Once you get active insurance and file your BOC-3 it can go active anytime after the waiting period. You have up to 90 days to meet these requirements before you'd have to re-apply with the FMCSA. I encourage everyone to use this down time to get everything else filed and ready to go! You can shop your insurance, file your BOC-3 and UCR, and start the process of setting up your IRP and IFTA Accounts. There are a few states that won't process these applications until your authority is already active though, so check with your individual state before applying. You can also use this time to start calling on loads, building relationships, and getting work lined up for when you are able to run. Some carriers will also start with in state work until they can start going over the road. Oftentimes when someone is ready to make the jump to run out on their own they are ready to go right away! Make sure you plan on at least a month to get started. If you are leased on you can still run under the other company's authority until everything is set and ready to go on yours. As always, if you have any questions on getting started on your own, don't hesitate to give me a call! [email protected] 417-262-5511

Jan 16, 2025 at 02:01 PM CST

- 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

The second question most carriers ask me on a regular basis is: "How long will this whole process take?"

I would plan on 3-4 weeks before you can start running out of state. Your DOT number will usually go active and be visible online 24 hours after your file for it. If you plan to travel out of state though, you will have to wait around 3 weeks for your authority to go active. All new authorities are reviewed by the FMCSA and must have a minimum of a 3 week waiting period before being approved. In some cases they require additional review and can take a bit longer. Once you get active insurance and file your BOC-3 it can go active anytime after the waiting period. You have up to 90 days to meet these requirements before you'd have to re-apply with the FMCSA.

I encourage everyone to use this down time to get everything else filed and ready to go! You can shop your insurance, file your BOC-3 and UCR, and start the process of setting up your IRP and IFTA Accounts. There are a few states that won't process these applications until your authority is already active though, so check with your individual state before applying. You can also use this time to start calling on loads, building relationships, and getting work lined up for when you are able to run. Some carriers will also start with in state work until they can start going over the road.

Oftentimes when someone is ready to make the jump to run out on their own they are ready to go right away! Make sure you plan on at least a month to get started. If you are leased on you can still run under the other company's authority until everything is set and ready to go on yours.

As always, if you have any questions on getting started on your own, don't hesitate to give me a call!

[email protected] 417-262-5511