Miles Ahead.
Rules of the Road, Finally in English
US trucking compliance, explained in plain English for carriers running 1–25 trucks.
The Road Map
Six steps, in order
Every carrier moves through the same sequence — from forming the business to running a fleet. Find your step below.
STEP 1
Start
- LLC, EIN & licensing
- Business plan & costs
Authority
- What is MOTUS?
- USDOT & MC numbers
- BOC-3 & UCR
Operate
- Maintenance & DVIR
- Fuel & IFTA basics
- Finding loads 101
Comply
- HOS rules
- Driver files (DQF)
- Drug & alcohol program
Pass Audits
- DOT audit checklist
- New entrant safety audit
- CSA scores & DataQs
Scale
- Adding a second truck
- Hiring & retaining drivers
- Factoring & cash flow
US Trucking at a Glance
The industry, by subject
The same guidance, cut a different way — six pillars covering everything a small carrier deals with.
Rules & Regulators
Who governs what
- FMCSA →
- State DOTs →
- IRS & IFTA →
Money
Where it goes, where it comes from
- Insurance →
- Tax & permits →
- Factoring →
- Fuel costs →
People
Your drivers, your files
- Driver files (DQF) →
- Drug & alcohol →
- Hiring & retention →
- CDL & medical cards →
Equipment
Trucks & the tech that runs them
- Maintenance →
- ELD systems compared NEW
- Buy vs. lease →
- Fleet software →
Freight
How you get paid
- Load boards & brokers →
- Rates & lanes →
- Contracts & detention →
Providers
Independent factual profiles
- Registration services →
- Insurance →
- Factoring, fuel cards, load boards →
Free Tools
Check yourself before FMCSA does
No account required for three of the four. Built to give you an honest answer, not a sales pitch.
Coming Up in 2026
Mark these dates
Jul 31, 2026
IFTA Q2 return due
Aug 31, 2026
Form 2290 (HVUT) due
Nov 2, 2026
IFTA Q3 return due
Dec 31, 2026
UCR registration deadline for 2027
See the whole industry on one map
Every regulator, every dollar, every decision — mapped in a single interactive view.
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