DIY Compliance Guides

All Services Accident Register Compliance Annual Motor Vehicle Record Review Annual Vehicle Inspection BOC-3 Process Agent Filing Bonds and Financial Responsibility Broker Operating Authority Business License Renewal California CARB Truck Compliance California Clean Truck Check California EPN Registration California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) Cargo Insurance Cargo Securement Compliance CDL and Endorsement Compliance CDL Compliance Certificate of Insurance Management Clearinghouse Annual Query Clearinghouse Pre-Employment Query Commercial Auto Liability Insurance Commercial General Liability Insurance Corrective Action Plan Support CSA / SMS Compliance Review DBA / Trade Name Registration DOT Compliance Review Preparation DOT Driver Background Checks DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program DOT Medical Certificate DOT Random Drug Testing DOT Safety Compliance Program DOT Violation Review Driver Employment Verification Driver Qualification Audit Driver Qualification File Driver Qualification File Update Driver Road Test / Equivalent Driver Safety Training Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Registration Drug & Alcohol Compliance Audit Drug & Alcohol Consortium / C-TPA EIN Registration ELD Compliance ELD Data Transfer & Inspection Readiness ELD Log Audit ELD Provider Verification FMCSA Address Change FMCSA Authority Monitoring FMCSA Compliance Review Support FMCSA Financial Responsibility Review FMCSA Insurance Filing FMCSA Name Change FMCSA Registration Compliance Review FMCSA Registration Record Update Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 Schedule 1 Form 2290 Suspension / Mileage Exemption Review Freight Forwarder Operating Authority Fuel Permits Hazmat Employee Training Hazmat Registration Hazmat Safety Compliance Hazmat Safety Permit Hazmat Security Plan HOS Compliance Audit HOS Driver Training Hours-of-Service Compliance IFTA License & Decals IFTA Quarterly Filing IFTA Quarterly Fuel Tax Report IFTA Recordkeeping Insurance Filing Status Review IRP Annual Renewal IRP Cab Card / Apportioned Credentials IRP Registration IRP Registration KY Weight Distance Tax LLC Annual Report MCS-90 / Public Liability Filing Mock DOT Audit Motor Carrier Operating Authority Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks MVR Monitoring New Entrant Safety Audit Preparation New Mexico Weight Distance Tax NY HUT - Highway Use Tax Operating Authority Reinstatement Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Oversize / Overweight Permit Record of Duty Status Compliance Return-to-Duty Compliance Safety Policy Development State Carrier Registration State Environmental Compliance Review State Intrastate Operating Authority Trademark Registration Trip Permits UCR Annual Renewal UCR Compliance Review UCR Fleet Bracket Review UCR Registration UCR Renewal USDOT Biennial Update (MCS-150) USDOT Number Registration USDOT Reapplication After Revocation USDOT Registration Reactivation Vehicle Identification and Recordkeeping Vehicle Maintenance Compliance Vehicle Maintenance Compliance Audit Vehicle Maintenance Records Vehicle Registration Compliance Workers Compensation Insurance

USDOT Biennial Update (MCS-150)

How to File Your USDOT Biennial Update (MCS-150)

Every motor carrier must update their MCS-150 every two years. This guide walks you through filing it yourself on the FMCSA portal in under 15 minutes. Official portal: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/update-your-registration

15 min

General

How to Renew Your UCR Registration Online

UCR must be renewed every year by January 1. Here is the fastest way to do it yourself without a third-party filing service. Official portal: https://www.ucr.gov

10 min

IFTA Quarterly Filing

Filing Your IFTA Quarterly Fuel Tax Report

IFTA reports are due four times a year. This guide covers gathering mileage/fuel records and filing through your base jurisdiction's portal. Official reference: https://www.iftach.org

20 min

General

How to Register Your Trucking Company Through FMCSA Motus

FMCSA now provides Motus as its modernized registration system for USDOT Numbers, operating authority, registration updates, and other applicable FMCSA registration actions. The process starts with a personal user profile, identity verification, and a company account. Official portal: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration

15 min

USDOT Number Registration

How to Determine Whether You Need a USDOT Number

A USDOT Number is required for many commercial motor vehicle operations subject to FMCSA jurisdiction. Requirements depend on the type of operation, vehicle, cargo, passengers, and interstate or intrastate activity. Official reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number

12 min

Motor Carrier Operating Authority

Operating Authority: What Trucking Companies Need to Know

Certain for-hire interstate motor carriers require operating authority in addition to a USDOT Number. The authority required depends on the type of transportation and cargo or passengers being transported. Official reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/getting-your-operating-authority

15 min

General

BOC-3 Filing: Process Agents for Motor Carriers and Brokers

A BOC-3 designates process agents who may receive legal process on behalf of qualifying transportation entities. The filing is handled by an authorized process agent or blanket company. Official reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/designate-process-agents

10 min

General

How to Build and Maintain a DOT Driver Qualification File

A Driver Qualification File is a core part of a carrier safety program. The exact documents depend on the driver and operation, but carriers must be able to demonstrate that regulated drivers are properly qualified. Official reference: 49 CFR §391.51 - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.51

20 min

Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks

CDL Driver MVR Compliance Checklist

Motor vehicle record reviews are an important part of commercial driver qualification and ongoing safety management. Carriers should document required checks and review the results for qualification and risk. Official reference: 49 CFR §391.25 - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.25

12 min

General

FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Compliance Guide

Employers of drivers subject to the FMCSA drug and alcohol testing requirements have specific Clearinghouse registration, query, consent, reporting, and recordkeeping responsibilities. Official portal: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

15 min

DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program

How to Build a DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

Carriers and employers covered by DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations must establish and maintain a compliant testing program and required records. Official reference: 49 CFR Part 382 - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/part/382

20 min

General

Hours-of-Service Compliance Guide for Truck Drivers

Hours-of-Service rules limit driving and on-duty time for covered drivers. Carriers should build a process that combines driver education, log review, supporting documents, and corrective action. Official reference: 49 CFR Part 395 - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service

18 min

General

ELD Compliance Guide for Motor Carriers

Many drivers required to maintain records of duty status must use an FMCSA-compliant electronic logging device unless an applicable exception applies. Official list of registered devices: https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List

15 min

New Entrant Safety Audit Preparation

How to Prepare for an FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit

New entrant motor carriers should establish their compliance systems before an FMCSA safety audit. Preparation should focus on driver qualification, controlled substances and alcohol testing, HOS, vehicle maintenance, and other applicable safety requirements. Official reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/new-entrant-safety-assurance-program

25 min

General

DOT Audit Preparation Checklist for Trucking Companies

A DOT compliance review can require a carrier to produce extensive safety and operational records. A structured internal audit helps identify gaps before an official review. Official reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/compliance-reviews

30 min

General

IRP Apportioned Registration Guide for Interstate Fleets

The International Registration Plan provides apportioned registration for qualifying interstate commercial vehicles. Requirements and processes are administered through jurisdictions. Official reference: https://www.aamva.org/topics/irp

20 min

General

Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Guide

Form 2290 is the federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return for applicable heavy highway motor vehicles. Filing and proof requirements can affect vehicle registration. Official portal: https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/e-file-form-2290

20 min

California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP)

California Motor Carrier Permit Compliance Guide

California imposes additional state requirements on certain motor carriers. Carriers operating in California should determine whether a Motor Carrier Permit and related state registrations apply. Official reference: California DMV - https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/motor-carrier-services-mcs/

20 min

California CARB Truck Compliance

California Trucking Environmental Compliance Guide

California has additional environmental requirements affecting certain trucks and fleets. Requirements can change based on vehicle type, model year, operation, and regulatory phase-in. Official reference: California Air Resources Board - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/truck-and-bus-regulation

20 min

General

Hazardous Materials Transportation Registration Guide

Certain persons transporting or offering hazardous materials may be subject to PHMSA registration and other hazardous materials requirements. Official portal: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/registration

20 min

General

Annual DOT Vehicle Inspection Compliance Guide

FMCSA requires an annual inspection of each commercial motor vehicle, performed by a qualified inspector, with the report kept on file. Official reference: 49 CFR §396.17 - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/396.17

15 min

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