What Do I Need To Run Interstate?

Feb 21, 2025 at 09:08 AM CST + 1 - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I talk to carriers each week who are running intrastate, but are looking to expand their business and start running interstate. I know most carriers don't want to be out for weeks on end, but there are usually more opportunities for work if you can run interstate. Here is a breakdown of what you need to go from intrastate to interstate! 1. Contact Your Insurance Company. In order to go out of state you will need to let your insurance company know and potentially expand your radius. This may increase your premium, but you want to make sure you have all the coverage you need to run interstate. They will also need to file your liability insurance with the FMCSA in order for your authority to go active. This increase in cost could be the deciding factor for going interstate, so make sure to do this research first. If you'd like a quote, we would be happy to help you here at Bulk Insurance Group! 2. Apply for an MC Number and update MCS-150 to interstate. The next step is to apply for an MC number. There is a $300 federal fee to apply and you will need to wait a minimum of 3 weeks for it to go active. In order for your authority to go active you will need to file a BOC-3 and have your insurance file with the FMCSA. Make sure to also update your MCS-150 to interstate and Pay for UCR. Although the minimum is 3 weeks, you have up to 90 days to satisfy these requirements before you'd have to apply again. 3. Upgrade your plates and apply for IFTA. If you plan on going out of state regularly it will make the most sense to get IRP plates and IFTA. If you only go out of state once a month it could make sense to buy temporary trip and fuel permits instead. It all comes down to how often you go out of state and the hassle of ordering those permits. Most states allow you to apply for IRP/IFTA online and will require proof of residency documents and company info to approve the application. All in all, I would plan on around a month to get everything set up to go out of state. One other common scenario in the bulk space is carriers who choose to run Exempt For Hire. This allows you to haul out of state without an MC number, but you are limited to running only exempt commodities. You'll still need IRP and IFTA, but won't be required to have an MC number. You can learn more about this distinction here. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exempt-hire-exempt-commodities-motor-carrier We help carriers expand to interstate all the time so if you have any questions or would like someone to help you through these steps, don't hesitate to give me a call! [email protected] 417-262-5511

Feb 21, 2025 at 09:08 AM CST

+ 1 - 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I talk to carriers each week who are running intrastate, but are looking to expand their business and start running interstate. I know most carriers don't want to be out for weeks on end, but there are usually more opportunities for work if you can run interstate. Here is a breakdown of what you need to go from intrastate to interstate!

1. Contact Your Insurance Company. In order to go out of state you will need to let your insurance company know and potentially expand your radius. This may increase your premium, but you want to make sure you have all the coverage you need to run interstate. They will also need to file your liability insurance with the FMCSA in order for your authority to go active. This increase in cost could be the deciding factor for going interstate, so make sure to do this research first. If you'd like a quote, we would be happy to help you here at Bulk Insurance Group!

2. Apply for an MC Number and update MCS-150 to interstate. The next step is to apply for an MC number. There is a $300 federal fee to apply and you will need to wait a minimum of 3 weeks for it to go active. In order for your authority to go active you will need to file a BOC-3 and have your insurance file with the FMCSA. Make sure to also update your MCS-150 to interstate and Pay for UCR. Although the minimum is 3 weeks, you have up to 90 days to satisfy these requirements before you'd have to apply again.

3. Upgrade your plates and apply for IFTA. If you plan on going out of state regularly it will make the most sense to get IRP plates and IFTA. If you only go out of state once a month it could make sense to buy temporary trip and fuel permits instead. It all comes down to how often you go out of state and the hassle of ordering those permits. Most states allow you to apply for IRP/IFTA online and will require proof of residency documents and company info to approve the application.

All in all, I would plan on around a month to get everything set up to go out of state. One other common scenario in the bulk space is carriers who choose to run Exempt For Hire. This allows you to haul out of state without an MC number, but you are limited to running only exempt commodities. You'll still need IRP and IFTA, but won't be required to have an MC number. You can learn more about this distinction here. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exempt-hire-exempt-commodities-motor-carrier

We help carriers expand to interstate all the time so if you have any questions or would like someone to help you through these steps, don't hesitate to give me a call!

[email protected]

417-262-5511