Trucking Startup Cost Calculator
How much does it cost to start a trucking company?
Excluding the truck, a single-truck interstate authority typically runs $10,000 to $18,000 in year one: $300 MC authority, $50 to $500 for the LLC, about $40 for the BOC-3, $1,200 to $2,500 for IRP plates, $8,000 to $14,000 in insurance, roughly $46 UCR, a drug consortium, and an FMCSA-registered ELD.
Last verified by ELD Hub.
Your operation
Operation type
| Line item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Texas)Secretary of State filing | $300 | $300 |
| USDOT numberFree through FMCSA | $0 | $0 |
| MC operating authority$300, non-refundable | $300 | $300 |
| BOC-3 process agentOne-time, blanket nationwide | $40 | $50 |
| Insurance down payment (year 1)About 35% down, balance financed monthly | $2,800 | $4,900 |
| IRP apportioned platesYear one uses an average per-mile chart | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| IFTA registration + decalsBase-state fee, varies | $10 | $50 |
| UCR annual feeFleet-size tier | $46 | $46 |
| Drug & alcohol consortiumPer driver, per year | $50 | $100 |
| ELD Hub (12 months)$15 per truck per month, no contract | $180 | $180 |
| PT-30 hardwareOne-time, cable and free ground shipping included | $150 | $150 |
| Year-one total (excluding the truck) | $5,076 | $8,576 |
Truck purchase or financing, plates beyond IRP, permits, factoring reserves and working capital are on top. Most new authorities keep an additional $5,000 to $15,000 liquid. Figures are typical published ranges, not a quote.
The one line you can lock in today
Your ELD is $180 a year at $15 per truck per month, no contract. Register now and activate the day your MC clears.
4 quick steps — personal details, company info, billing, done. About 2 minutes.
Where each number comes from
MC authority: $300 →
Fee, protest period and what delays activation.
IRP plates: $1,200–$2,500 →
Why year one costs the most.
BOC-3: about $40 →
Blanket process agent, filed in a day.
UCR: about $46 →
Fleet-size tiers and the January 1 deadline.
Drug consortium: $50–$100 →
Per driver per year, required before dispatch.
90-day launch checklist →
Every step in dependency order.