Structuring your trucking company as a corporation or LLC not only safeguards your personal assets from business liabilities, but also provides numerous legal, tax, and business benefits. To determine the optimal structure for your trucking company, try our Business Startup Wizard. Once you've decided on a structure, you'll need to appoint a registered agent and obtain an EIN to open a bank account. Our team experts can assist with these processes, as well as serving as your registered agent..

To form a corporation or LLC for your trucking company, you will need to take the following steps:
Appoint a registered agent:
A registered agent is a crucial component of forming a corporation or LLC. They act as the state's point of contact with the business entity and are required by law in most states. The registered agent must be present at a physical address, not a P.O. Box, during specific business hours to sign for and receive important legal notices, state mandates, wage garnishments, and tax documents. It's essential for registered agents to be consistently accessible since a missed delivery could harm your company's good standing with the state or allow a lawsuit to proceed without your knowledge.

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Obtain your EIN to open a bank account:
Obtaining an EIN is an essential step in setting up your trucking company as it allows you to establish a separate identity for your business and helps to identify your business for tax and other legal purposes.
Our team experts can assist you with starting an LLC or corporation, obtaining an EIN, and serving as your business's registered agent. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help you get your trucking company up and running smoothly.

To operate a successful trucking company, every owner-operator should ensure they have the required licenses and permits in place. This is because most state, county, and local governments mandate companies to have the appropriate licenses and permits before starting operations. With over 150,000 filing jurisdictions in the country, each with its own unique set of requirements, it can be a daunting task to determine which licenses and permits apply to your business.

Every owner-operator should determine if the following items are required to run a successful trucking company:

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and any necessary endorsements:
Federal law requires drivers of commercial motor vehicles to obtain a CDL. Contact your state’s licensing agency for more details.

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A USDOT number:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses trucking companies’ unique USDOT number to identify the company when conducting inspections, audits, and investigations.

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A Motor Carrier Operating Authority (MC number):
You may need to obtain more than one MC number for your trucking business, depending on your business operations.

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A BOC-3 filing:
Every motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder is required to designate a process agent that can file Form BOC-3, or blanket of coverage, on their behalf with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA). Only one completed form may be on file and it must include all states for which agency designations are required. One copy must be retained by the carrier or broker at its principal place of business. As a process agent in all 50 states, our CSC team can handle your BOC-3 filing(s).

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International Registration Plan (IRP) credentials and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) decal:
Trucking companies offering services in or across multiple states must obtain IRP credentials and IFTA decals for their vehicles.

Our team has extensive experience and expertise in BOC-3 filings and business license portfolio management across multiple jurisdictions. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your trucking company's success.

The proper equipment can make the difference between success and failure. When selecting equipment for your trucking company, consider the following items:

• Can the vehicle accommodate the needs of your cargo? For instance, if you are transporting perishable items, you might consider a refrigerated compartment.

• Is buying or leasing equipment a better option for your new business?

This is an opportune time to conduct additional research and leverage your network connections. Speak to professional truck drivers that have made the transition to owner-operator and take the time to compare options before you make a purchasing decision.

As an owner-operator you will need to obtain business insurance for your new trucking company. The most effective way to secure the best premium is to contact several agents and consider the following options before you make a decision on a policy.

• Primary liability insurance

• Cargo insurance

• Physical damage insurance

• Passenger accident insurance

Tracking income and expenses is crucial for any successful business, especially in transportation where payments can be delayed and expenses incurred on the road can be difficult to track. Developing a system to manage logistics and financials can help ensure your company stays profitable and organized.

To help avoid common startup obstacles, keep the following best practices in mind:

Subscribe to bookkeeping software or hire an accountant
Online accounting software like Xero can help you track your income and expenses even while you’re away from home. They can also help you find an accountant or bookkeeper to help keep you on track.

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Understand when and how you’ll be paid for deliveries.
Shipping contracts often provide for payment 30 to 90 days after delivery. Such delays can be managed, but only if you are aware of them ahead of time.

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Maintain thorough records of business expenses.
Keep a file of invoices, receipts, and check stubs so you can prove your expenses if necessary.

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Keep your personal and business finances separate.
Maintain separate bank accounts for business and personal use.

To find customers for your trucking company, you can use load boards or build relationships through marketing and networking efforts. Load boards can be accessed easily online, while building relationships requires outreach and attending industry events. A good resource to find customers is the DAT Load Board for Truckers, available on Android and Apple operating systems.

This allows you to spend more time on revenue-generating activities, such as finding new customers and increasing your profits. By outsourcing administrative tasks to a trusted partner like JST Truck Permits, you can also ensure that all regulatory filings are completed accurately and on time, helping you avoid costly penalties or legal issues. Focus on growing your business and leave the paperwork to us.

To stay compliant with time-sensitive filing requirements, it's important for business owners to stay on top of tasks such as IFTA’s quarterly tax returns and multi-year renewals for CDLs. Neglecting these requirements can result in significant penalties or loss of good standing. Additionally, it's crucial to stay compliant with your state's corporate reporting requirements, as failure to do so can lead to revocation of your corporation's or LLC's existence. To help with these tasks, JST Truck Permits offers business compliance packages to ensure that you meet all necessary licensing and annual reporting requirements.