New MC Authority Setup & Dispatch Readiness
Prepare your registration information, coordinate required filings and check operating status before booking freight under your authority.
$250 one-time setup service · Written scope before you proceed
Key Takeaways
- Use current FMCSA registration guidance and Motus account authorization.
- Keep the $250 service charge separate from federal fees and insurance costs.
- Insurers and authorized process-agent filers perform their respective filings.
- Confirm operating status and broker onboarding requirements before accepting a load.
Content reviewed . Confirm current availability, scope and charges in your written quote.
How the service works
- 1
Review the operation
Identify the business, equipment, cargo, operating area and carrier arrangement. Requirements differ for private carriage, exempt commodities, household goods, passengers and other operations.
- 2
Prepare and coordinate filings
Organize application information and coordinate the registrations and supporting filings in the agreed scope. Complete identity and business verification through the authorized FMCSA process.
- 3
Check readiness to haul
Confirm the required authority is active and review insurance, safety-program records and broker onboarding requirements. Application processing and load acceptance are separate decisions.
Registration in Motus
Follow FMCSA's current registration instructions rather than relying on an old OP-1 walkthrough. Motus supports registration work and authorized supporting-company access. Never share your Login.gov password with a filing service.
Do not describe MC numbers as already eliminated. FMCSA's modernization FAQ distinguishes proposed identifier changes from what was implemented in the initial release.
Reference: FMCSA registration modernization FAQs.
Separate each cost before you apply
The published O Trucking setup service is $250. Ask which submissions and follow-up tasks that covers. FMCSA application fees, UCR fees, process-agent charges, insurance premiums and state permits are separate items unless your written quote expressly includes them.
There is no single insurance amount that fits every carrier. Required filings depend on authority, cargo, vehicle and operation. A broker's contractual insurance requirement can differ from the federal filing minimum.
Reference: FMCSA insurance filing requirements.
Your first-load checklist
A submitted application does not guarantee an activation date or access to every broker's freight. Build the operating file while the application is reviewed.
- Verify active authority and required filings using the current official record.
- Confirm the carrier name, USDOT number and payment details used in broker onboarding.
- Prepare driver qualification, maintenance, testing and HOS records applicable to the operation.
- Review each load's equipment, insurance, payment and authority-age requirements.
Reference: Motus public registration search.
New MC Authority Setup & Dispatch Readiness FAQ
Scope, costs and questions to settle before you proceed.
How long does authority activation take?
Timing depends on the application, verification, supporting filings and agency review. We do not promise a fixed 21-day or 3–5-week activation. Check the current application status and resolve any requested information before committing to a start date.
Is the $250 fee the total startup cost?
No. It is the published O Trucking setup-service charge. Government registration fees, insurance, process-agent charges and other operating costs are separate. Request an itemized quote before paying.
Does a USDOT number mean authority is active?
No. A USDOT number identifies a regulated entity. Whether it needs operating authority, and whether that authority has been granted and remains active, are separate questions. Confirm the requirements and status for the specific operation.
Can you help with inactive or revoked authority?
We can review the record and discuss the applicable next steps. The reason for the inactive or revoked status determines what must be resolved. Do not assume that paying a service fee automatically reinstates authority.
Can a new carrier use dispatch support?
Discuss dispatch onboarding after the registrations, insurance and operating arrangements needed for the work are in place. Broker eligibility varies, so active authority does not guarantee that a particular load or customer will accept a new carrier.
Related services and resources
Get a clear scope and quote
Tell us your equipment, operation and the support you need. We will discuss responsibilities, availability and charges before you proceed.
Request a Quote