what exactly does your own authority mean?

Look in the docked threads at the top of this forum. You will find the answer.

 

Having your own authority means you have filed an MC150 to acquire your own MC number as well as filed for your own DOT number.

You carry the cargo and liability insurance 100%.

If you can say an O/O is a true independent, this is the way you'd say it.

 

Also to break it down a little more it means u own your truck and trailer & you carry all liability and booking your own loads. Therefore more of a less someone running under their own authority is in it 100% to themselves.

 

What is the difference between an MC and DOT number?

 

MC = Motorcarrier Authority.

DOT number is the number you display on the side of your truck. Some states require, others don't. I know MN requires us to have it even if we use someone else for authority. It's an identifier for inspections etc and things like that.


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/online-registration/onlineregdescription.htm

 

Yep. Your DOT number, your MC number, your liability ins, your cargo ins, your plates, your IFTA account....but not technically required to "own" your own truck and trailer because you could rent or lease.

Also need to file MCS-150 like the other guy said above. Also need drug testing program of some type. Also need to file your IFTA. You will also need to invoice whomever you haul for since there probably will be no "settlement" check.

You aren't required to be a corp tho.

 

DOT# is free, MC# is $300.00 for one. MC# is your "authority", DOT# is fairly useless, but still used for tracking by some agencies so we all still need one. It could easily be done away with but that would be too efficient for the trucking industry.

 

DOT number is used if you are intrastate only.
MC number if you cross state lines.

 

MC = Motor Carrier authority and is what you need to haul someone else's freight.
USDOT = United States Dep't of Transportation number and is what you need to drive a vehicle that exceeds a certain weight down the road. Private carrier's do not need an MC because they own what they haul.

i.e. a farmer hauling his own grain from Nebraska to New York would not need an MC # but would need a DOT #. If the farmer hired a trucking company (i.e. a Motor Carrier) to move his grain, the carrier would need USDOT and MC.