General
What does a new carrier need?
By the DOT Compliance Partner team · February 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Starting a trucking or transportation business usually means working through several filings, roughly in this order:
- USDOT registration
- Operating authority (if hauling for-hire) and the BOC-3 filing that goes with it
- UCR registration, if operating in interstate commerce
- A drug and alcohol testing program for CDL drivers
- FMCSA Clearinghouse queries before your first drivers start
What comes after that
New carriers generally go through a safety monitoring period after authority is granted, which can include a New Entrant Safety Audit. Getting records and policies organized early makes that process much less stressful.
This article is general orientation, not legal or regulatory advice. Confirm current requirements with FMCSA or a qualified advisor before relying on specific dates or dollar amounts.