Truck licence and permits—What do you need to start a moving company?

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Whether a moving business operates interstate or intrastate, having proper documentation is an essential part of the job. Federal and state laws regulate the trucking business and ensure compliance. For the maintenance of safety standards, there are certifications that a moving company must obtain.

The following describes in detail the requirements for a trucking and moving business.

Truck Licence

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is essential to make sure that the commercial drivers are adept at their jobs. A CDL ensures that the driver has the requisite knowledge and skills in driving a fleet of various sizes of trucks and other moving vehicles. There are three main types of CDL: Class A, Class B, and Class C. 

Obtaining a CDL for interstate requires a minimum age of 21. For intrastate (within the state), the minimum age requirement is 18 to 20 (depending on the rules of the particular US state).

A commercial driver’s work requires resilience and good health. Apart from being physically fit, the driver must know a truck’s system. Once the drive applies for the CDL, they will provide a Medical Examination report and go through a vision test. When the driver clears the test, they have to appear for a knowledge test. If you pass this test, you get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). After two weeks, the driver must apply for a road skills test, which includes a vehicle inspection and a driving test.

USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) and MC number

All interstate trucking businesses require a USDOT number, which is issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This number registers your commercial vehicle with the FMCSA. The USDOT number and Motor Carrier (MC) are all rolled under the USDOT PIN. The MC pin is also called the FMCSA operating authority number.

The MC number describes the type of trucking business you have. The USDOT pin determines your safety record, including ratings, inspection, compliance, and investigations. Both are essential for interstate moving and trucking. For commercial vehicles carrying more than 10,000 pounds, transporting hazardous material, and those crossing state lines, a USDOT number is essential. In addition to this, check if your state requires an MC number or not.

To obtain these numbers, you need to complete the Motor Carrier Identification Report and Safety Certification Application. You need to register online by visiting the FMCSA website.

Unified Carrier Registration

You require a USDOT pin to apply for UCR. UCR is for interstate and international movers. An annual fee is paid to the concerned authority to implement safety programs on highways. Although UCR is mandated by the federal government, individual states regulate it. Not all US states comply with the UCR Act, which was passed by the government. Note that some states don’t require the UCR. Whether you transport passengers or goods, you need the UCR.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax (Interstate User)

The IFTA exists between most of the states in the US and Canada. The purpose is to establish one single fuel tax to make matters easy for trucking companies. The tax is applicable if you operate in any US state (including the Californian highway). There is a registration fee for an IFTA license.

The Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax requires all trucking companies using diesel to pay for the consumption of each gallon of diesel. There is no registration fee for obtaining an Interstate User License. This license is only applicable for traveling within California and Mexico only. The Interstate License is a substitute for IFTA.

International Registration Plan (IRP) Tag

The IRP Tag permits trucking companies to travel within most US states and most Canadian provinces. The purpose of the IRP tag is to encourage trucking and freight companies to operate on highways. A trucking company needs to pay an annual fee for the IRP.

Conclusion

For the safe operation of freight trucks and moving companies, compliance with safety standards is essential. The certifications ensure that the people operating have the relevant experience and are experts at what they do. Moreover, in the case of an accident, it can help companies claim insurance and help with the investigation process.

Visit the FMCA website to ensure that your company is complying with the standards and have the required certifications. You can also find more information on this.

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