Federal & State Compliance

DOT Compliance Services

DOT compliance is everything required to operate commercial vehicles legally: USDOT registration, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance records, hours of service, and state permits. TIPS manages all of it for trucking companies, construction fleets, and any business running commercial motor vehicles.

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Last updated: July 2026
What We Help With

Complete compliance management, in one place.

Every filing, program, and record your operation needs, handled by the same dedicated compliance agent from day one.

USDOT & Authority Filings

USDOT numbers, MC authority applications, BOC-3 process agent filings, and amendments. We handle all of the paperwork.

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Ongoing Compliance

Driver files, drug and alcohol consortium, Clearinghouse accounts, and biennial updates. Stay audit-ready year round.

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Driver Screening

MVRs, CDLIS reports for CDL holders, PSP reports, and criminal background checks before drivers get behind the wheel.

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Fuel Tax (IFTA) & IRP

IFTA registration and quarterly reports, IRP apportioned plates, and 2290 heavy vehicle filings. Where carriers get stuck, we help.

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State Permits

California CA and MCP, Texas TxDMV, Ohio PUCO, Kentucky KYU, New York HUT, Oregon and New Mexico weight-distance, and more.

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Audit Prep & Recovery

New Entrant Safety Audit preparation, Corrective Action Plans, and DOT number reinstatements. Pass it or recover from it.

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Business Formation

LLC filings and EIN applications for those still at square one. We file directly with your state and the IRS to launch fast.

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Resources & Templates

The Trucker's Toolbox: 40+ forms, templates, and company documents, with optional branding in your own name and logo.

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Start-Up Packages

New DOT and MC numbers, BOC-3, and every single compliance filing you need to pass your safety audit, all in one package.

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Who This Applies To

Who needs to comply with DOT regulations?

You need to comply with federal or state DOT regulations if you operate commercial motor vehicles. That covers far more than trucking companies.

  • For-hire trucking companies: OTR, regional, and local
  • Freight brokers and freight forwarders with authority
  • Private fleets hauling their own goods and equipment
  • Construction companies running commercial vehicles
  • Dump truck, concrete, and aggregate hauling operators
  • Landscaping companies and well drilling operations
  • Farm operations running commercial motor vehicles
  • Passenger carriers and tow truck companies alike

Requirements depend on your vehicle weight, what you haul, whether you cross state lines, and whether you're for-hire or private. Not sure what applies to you? We'll walk you through it.

Ask us what applies to you
Two Layers of Rules

Federal vs. state compliance

Federal compliance

Cross state lines with commercial motor vehicles and you're under DOT and FMCSA jurisdiction. You'll complete a New Entrant Safety Audit and show full compliance with the FMCSRs in your first year.

State compliance

Almost every state has adopted the FMCSRs for intrastate-only companies. Even if you never cross state lines, you're likely subject to most of the same rules, plus your state's own permits.

How Compliance Works

Different stages, different requirements.

New operations

Establish your USDOT number, determine whether you need MC authority, set up drug testing and driver files, and prepare for the New Entrant Safety Audit inside your first 12 months.

Existing operations

Maintain biennial updates, keep driver qualification files current, run annual Clearinghouse queries, renew your state permits, and file your quarterly fuel tax reports, on time, every single time.

Complying with DOT, FMCSA, and state regulations isn't optional. Trying to figure it all out by yourself is.

FAQ

DOT compliance questions, straight answers

What is DOT compliance?+
DOT compliance means meeting all federal and state requirements to operate commercial vehicles legally. This includes having proper registration, maintaining driver files, running drug tests, tracking hours of service, keeping vehicle maintenance records, and holding any required permits.
What happens if I'm not compliant?+
You can face fines, failed audits, out-of-service orders, and revocation of your operating authority. Roadside inspections can also result in violations that affect your CSA scores, making it harder to get loads from brokers and shippers.
How much does DOT compliance cost?+
It depends on your operation. A single owner-operator has different requirements than a 10-truck fleet. At TIPS, we provide a free consultation to identify what applies to you and give you clear pricing.
Do private carriers need DOT compliance?+
Yes. Private carriers hauling their own goods still need a USDOT number if their vehicles meet weight or passenger thresholds. They may also need driver qualification files, drug testing programs, and state permits depending on their operation.
What is the New Entrant Safety Audit?+
The FMCSA conducts a safety audit within your first 12 months of operation if you're an interstate carrier. Auditors review your driver files, drug testing records, hours of service logs, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and more. Failing the audit can result in being placed out-of-service for a minimum of 30 days, forcing you to shut your operations down and correct the violations.

Still have questions? Read the full compliance FAQ or give us a call.

Not Sure What You Need?

Get a clear path forward, free.

Tell us about your operation and we'll identify exactly which compliance requirements apply to you, what they cost, and where to start.

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