The Road Map
Every carrier moves through the same sequence — from forming the business to running a fleet. Pick the step you're on.
The Road Map organises US trucking compliance as a sequence, from forming the business to operating a fleet. The order reflects dependency rather than preference: operating authority requires insurance already on file, and driver qualification files must exist before the drivers they cover begin work.
The six steps
- Start — Business formation: entity selection, EIN, licensing, and a realistic view of startup costs.
- Authority — Federal registration: USDOT and MC numbers, the BOC-3 process agent filing, UCR, and the MOTUS registration system.
- Operate — Daily operations: sourcing freight, fuel tax and IFTA reporting, and vehicle maintenance with daily inspection reports.
- Comply — Records that must stay current: driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, and hours of service.
- Pass Audits — The New Entrant Safety Audit, DOT compliance reviews, CSA scores, and the DataQs correction process.
- Scale — Adding equipment, hiring and retaining drivers, and managing cash flow through factoring.
Using this section
Each step is self-contained. Begin at the step matching the current stage of the business rather than reading in order.
Road Map pages are the canonical location for every guide on this site. US Trucking at a Glance presents the same material organised by subject, and the Ecosystem Map shows the full site on one page.
This section is educational reference, not legal or compliance advice. Regulations change; the issuing authority is definitive.