Missing motor vehicle records are the most cited driver qualification file violation in FMCSA audits. More than 6,400 violations have been written in the past five years. If you hire commercial drivers, MVR and CDLIS reports are not optional. TIPS pulls both in 1-2 business days.

If your trucks cross state lines, or you work with interstate cargo you most likely need UCR. It's a federal registration that most interstate carriers have to complete every year. Brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies need it too. If you skip it, you can get fined or pulled out of service at a weigh station.

If you have a CDL and drive a commercial vehicle, you need a drug and alcohol testing program. It does not matter if you drive across state lines or stay local. It does not matter if you haul for someone else or for your own company. The rules in 49 CFR Part 382 cover every CDL driver, and all 50 states have adopted them.

The trucking regulations that apply to your business depend on whether you haul for others or yourself, whether you cross state lines, and how much your vehicle weighs.

Use the free Compliance Calculator from Total Insight Professional Services (TIPS) to find out what applies to your specific operation in minutes.

A certificate of authority is the official FMCSA document that proves your company has active operating authority (MC number) to haul freight for pay across state lines. If you need yours fast, TIPS can get your certificate of authority to you quickly so you can start booking loads right away.

This guide covers what a SCAC is, who needs one, how to apply, what it costs, and what changed in 2026. At TIPS, we handle SCAC applications so you can skip the paperwork and get your code fast.

If you drive a CMV, you need to know these hours of service regulations. Breaking them can lead to fines, out-of-service orders, and damage to your CSA score. This guide covers every major HOS rule, who they apply to, the exemptions, and what happens when you violate them.

This article covers how IFTA works, how to get your IFTA stickers and license, how to file IFTA fuel tax returns each quarter, what it costs, and how to calculate your taxable miles.

If you drive a truck across state lines, you need IRP registration and a cab card. These are not optional. Without them, you risk fines, violations, and trucks sitting idle.

This article covers what IRP is in trucking, what a cab card (sometimes called a cabcard) is, who needs one, and how to file your IRP application.

DOT officers expect to see specific documents in your vehicle, and missing even one can mean fines, out-of-service orders, or points on your CSA score.

This guide covers every document you need to keep in your truck, who needs what, and how to stay organized so you're not scrambling at the scale house.

This article breaks down how to get a DOT number and every fee you'll face when applying for a USDOT number, MC authority, and the other registrations most new carriers need.

Many drivers think that if they don't need a CDL, they don't have to follow DOT rules. That's not true. The DOT regulates commercial vehicles based on weight, cargo, and how they're used. Your license type is separate from your compliance requirements.

If you're starting a trucking company, you've probably seen two terms come up over and over: DOT number and MC number. They sound similar, and plenty of new carriers mix them up. But they're not the same thing, and knowing the difference matters for staying legal on the road.

Each state sets its own definition of what constitutes a CMV for intrastate operations. This guide breaks down the intrastate requirements for all 50 states so you know exactly what applies to your operation.

Take a deep breath. You are not the first carrier to face this, and you won't be the last. The situation is serious, but it is fixable if you act immediately. The next step you need right now is creating a Corrective Action Plan (CAP).

At TIPS, we don't just tell you what to do—we do it for you. We have built new Start-Up Packages for 2026 that cover everything you need to get legal. You hand us the keys to the compliance side of your business, and we make sure you are ready to roll.

For many carriers, the background check process can feel like a maze of federal regulations and state rules. This article breaks down exactly what goes into a comprehensive truck driver screening, what the FMCSA requires, and how to interpret the information you find.

TIPS launches the Trucker's Toolbox! A complete bundle of 40+ FMCSA compliance forms and templates for trucking companies. Driver files, vehicle docs, and more.

Don't lose your ability to operate to a preventable mistake. We break down the most common reasons carriers fail the New Entrant Safety Audit, why these failures occur, and what you can do to prevent it.

Operating a commercial vehicle? You might be required to join a C/TPA. Learn what a Consortium/Third-Party Administrator is, if you need one, and how to spot a reliable provider.