Starting an interstate trucking business is alot more than buying a truck and hanging a sign out that you are for hire. There are permits and registrations that must be obtained and DOT safety requirements that must be met before you can run just one mile down the road.
Getting Authority
Registration of Motor Carriers that operate for-hire within a single state (Intrastate) and carriers that operate in two or more states (Interstate) is a requirement of the Federal Government and all states and provinces. This registration is called Operating Authority. Motor carriers are further required to register the Interstate Operating Authority with the states that they intend to operate within. This is accomplished through the use of the Single State Registration System (SSRS).
Fuel & Highway Use Tax
Every State except Oregon and every Canadian province tax fuel purchased for and consumed by commercial motor vehicles operating within their jurisdiction. The method of reporting and paying these taxes depends on the combined or actual gross weight of the power unit, the number of axles, and the vehicle's scope of operation.
Qualified commercial power units traveling in two or more states/provinces are required to report and pay fuel taxes in each applicable jurisdiction under the guidelines detailed in the International Fuel Tax Agreement or IFTA.
A good regulatory compliance consultant that specializes in trucking is recommended to ensure a smooth start-up. Many of the regulatory compliance topics are covered in some detail in the following publications:
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