How to Get a DOT Number and What It Actually Costs
A USDOT number costs $0. The FMCSA does not charge a fee to register for one. But if you're asking "how much does it cost to get a DOT number," you probably want to know the total cost of getting legal and getting on the road. That number is higher than zero.
This article breaks down every fee you'll face when applying for a USDOT number, MC authority, and the other registrations most new carriers need.
What Is a DOT Number?
A USDOT number is a unique identifier the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to your company. It's used to track your safety record, including inspections, audits, crash investigations, and compliance reviews.
Think of it like a Social Security number for your trucking company. It identifies your business to the federal government and every state DOT in the country. Your USDOT number must be displayed on both sides of every commercial vehicle you operate.
Why Do You Need a DOT Number?
You need a USDOT number if your vehicle meets any of these conditions:
Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 lbs or more
Transports hazardous materials that require placards
Is designed to carry 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
Is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) without compensation
This applies to interstate carriers (crossing state lines). Most states also require intrastate carriers to have a USDOT number, so even if you plan to stay in one state, check your state's requirements, or view our state-by-state breakdown.
If you're hauling freight for other people across state lines (for-hire carrier), you'll also need MC authority in addition to your USDOT number.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a DOT Number?
The USDOT number itself is free. You apply through the FMCSA's Unified Registration System (URS) at no cost. But most carriers need more than just a USDOT number. Here's a breakdown of what you'll actually pay.
USDOT Number: $0
Filing your USDOT number application through the FMCSA is free. There is no government fee to obtain or renew it. Your biennial update (required every two years) is also free if you plan to try and do it yourself.
Be cautious of third-party websites that charge you a fee to file your USDOT number. Some of these sites look like government websites but are private companies adding a markup for something you can get at no cost.
MC Authority (Operating Authority): $300
If you're a for-hire carrier hauling freight or passengers across state lines, you need MC number. The FMCSA charges a one-time $300 filing fee per authority type. This fee is non-refundable, even if you accidentally applied for an authority you didn’t need.
Not every interstate carrier needs an MC number. Private carriers (companies hauling their own goods) and carriers hauling only exempt commodities do not need an MC number. If you're getting paid to move someone else's freight across state lines, you need one.
BOC-3 Filing: $30 to $150
A BOC-3 (Blanket of Coverage) designates process agents in every U.S. state. It's required for any carrier with MC authority. You file it through a blanket agent company, and fees typically range from $30 to $150 depending on the provider. Just pay close to attention to whether the BOC-3 you purchase is an annual or lifetime filing, and whether free amendments are included or not.
UCR (Unified Carrier Registration): $46 to $44,836 per Year
UCR is an annual registration required for interstate carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. The fee is based on your fleet size and varies quite a bit.
For 2025 and 2026, the fees are:
0 to 2 vehicles: $46
3 to 5 vehicles: $138
6 to 20 vehicles: $276
21 to 100 vehicles: $963
101 to 1,000 vehicles: $4,592
1,001+ vehicles: $44,836
Most new owner-operators and small fleets fall in the $46 bracket.
Insurance: $9,000 to $15,000+ per Year
This is the biggest cost for new carriers. The FMCSA requires minimum liability coverage based on what you haul. General freight carriers need at least $750,000 in liability coverage ($300,000 for Cargo Vans). Carriers hauling passengers or hazardous materials may need $1 million to $5 million. Household goods carriers will also need cargo insurance before their authority can be approved.
For a new carrier with no safety history, expect to pay between $9,000 and $15,000 per year for commercial truck insurance. Your actual cost depends on your driving record, equipment, cargo type, and where you operate.
Your insurer files proof of coverage directly with the FMCSA on your behalf (Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X for liability).
Total Cost for a Typical New Carrier
For a single-truck owner-operator starting a for-hire interstate freight operation, here's a realistic first-year cost estimate for the basic filings that every carrier needs, regardless of weight:
USDOT number: $0
MC authority: $300
BOC-3: $30 to $150
UCR: $46
Insurance: $9,000 to $15,000
Sub Total: roughly $9,400 to $15,500
This does not include other costs you may face depending on your operation, such as state-specific permits (IFTA, IRP, state fuel tax permits), the 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (for vehicles 55,000+ lbs), drug and alcohol consortium enrollment and random testing fees, motor vehicle record (MVR) pulls for driver qualification files, FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse registration and queries, or equipment costs.
The cost of completing the required compliance filings and safety registrations should not be ignored, as they can significantly change how much you’ll pay before you can start hauling. For a simplified list of what you need and what you can expect to pay, based on your vehicle type, check out TIPS’ Start-Up Packages.
How to Get a DOT Number
The application process is straightforward. You register through the FMCSA's Unified Registration System (URS) online. But before you start, there are a few things worth knowing.
Watch Out for Third-Party Filing Sites
If you search "how do I get a DOT number," many of the top results are third-party companies, not the FMCSA. These sites often look official but charge hundreds of dollars to file paperwork you can do yourself for free. Go directly to the FMCSA's registration page (link below in the "Where Do You File?" section) rather than clicking the first search result.
Your Information Will Be Public
Everything you submit on your USDOT application becomes public record. Your name, address, phone number, and email will be visible on the FMCSA's SAFER website and in other public databases. That means you'll likely get a flood of solicitation calls and emails from insurance agents, factoring companies, ELD vendors, and other service providers within minutes of filing.
We recommend using a separate email address (a free Gmail works fine) and a separate phone number (like a Google Voice number) for your FMCSA registration rather than your primary business contact info. This keeps the spam out of your main inbox and off your personal phone.
Get It Right the First Time
The selections you make during registration matter. If you mark the wrong operation type, cargo classification, or authority type, you could end up with a USDOT number you can't actually use for your intended business, or you could pay $300 for an operating authority you didn't need. The FMCSA has a strict no-refund policy on authority fees. If you're not sure which boxes to check, it's worth getting help before you submit.
What Information Do You Need?
Before you start the application, have the following ready:
Your legal business name and any DBA
Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security number
Business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.)
Physical address and mailing address
Number and type of vehicles you'll operate
Number and type of drivers you’ll be utilizing
Type of cargo (property, passengers, hazardous materials)
Whether you'll operate interstate or intrastate
Your classification; such as for-hire, private, exempt, etc.
One important note on your physical address: the FMCSA requires a physical location that you own or control. A registered agent's address, virtual business address, or PO Box is not accepted. If you operate out of your home, your home address is fine. But it will become public record (see above), which is another reason some carriers form an LLC with a physical office address before registering.
You do not need an LLC to get a DOT number. The FMCSA issues USDOT numbers to sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. That said, operating a trucking company without liability protection (like an LLC) puts your personal assets at risk. We recommend filing an LLC and obtaining an EIN before filing for a DOT number.
Where Do You File?
Go directly to the FMCSA's Unified Registration System at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/UrsRegistrationWizard. You'll create a Login.gov account, then follow the prompts to select your operation type and start filling out the information that is listed above.
If you're applying for both a USDOT number and MC authority at the same time, the URS handles both in one application. You'll pay the $300 MC authority fee during the process.
Note: The FMCSA is in the process of transitioning to a new registration system called MOTUS. The URS link above is where you register today, but this may change in the near future. If the link doesn't work, check the FMCSA's registration page at fmcsa.dot.gov/registration for the most current instructions.
How Long Does It Take?
If you're applying for a USDOT number only, you'll typically receive your number right after submitting your online application.
If you're also applying for MC authority, your MC number is usually generated overnight. However, your authority won't be authorized for a minimum of 21 days, and it won't become active until your insurance (BMC-91/91X) and BOC-3 are both on file with the FMCSA. Plan for 21 to 25 business days from the time you apply.
Paper applications mailed to the FMCSA can take 45 to 60 business days. Filing online is significantly faster.
How Do I Check the Status of My USDOT Number?
Visit the FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx. Enter your USDOT number or company name to see your registration status, authority status, insurance filing status, and safety information.
If your USDOT number shows as "inactive," you may need to file a biennial update (MCS-150 form) to reactivate it. Reactivating a USDOT number is free. If your MC authority has been revoked, reinstatement costs $80 and you'll need current insurance and a BOC-3 on file before the FMCSA will process it.
Can I Get a DOT Number Without a Truck?
Yes. You can apply for and receive a USDOT number before you own or lease a vehicle. Many new carriers start the registration process while they're still shopping for equipment.
Just keep in mind that your MC authority won't become fully active until your insurance is on file. Before you can bind an insurance policy, you’ll need to have a vehicle. If you’re months away from obtaining a vehicle, and plan to get both a DOT & MC number, wait to file until you’re closer to having a vehicle ready. You’ll only have about 90 days to get an insurance policy attached before your authority is dismissed. If dismissed, the FMCSA will require you to re-pay the $300 fee
Is There an Easier Way to Get a DOT Number?
TIPS files USDOT numbers for free. If you need MC authority, BOC-3, UCR, and help coordinating your insurance filings, our start-up packages cover everything to get you from paperwork to operating. We contact you to confirm the company details you entered in the cart form, then handle the filings on your behalf.
Every start-up package includes lifetime compliance support. That means you get a dedicated compliance agent for as long as you have a DOT number who is available to answer your questions, help prepare you for safety audits, and provide guidance as your business expands.
Working with TIPS from day one ensures you can get your vehicles on the road as quickly as possible, avoid errors that cost you time & money, and hit the road with confidence knowing that you’re legal to operate.