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Transportation
FMCSA · USDOT + MC#

DOT MC Operating Authority. FMCSA-ready in 4 weeks.

Interstate motor carriers (trucking) and freight brokers must obtain FMCSA operating authority - the MC number - to operate. Beyond the MC number, the full launch package includes USDOT number, BOC-3 process agent in all 50 states, UCR registration, BMC-84 surety bond (brokers) or insurance filings (carriers), IRP (international registration plan) license plate, IFTA fuel-tax sticker. We handle the full FMCSA + state stack so you can operate legally on day 1.

Launch MC authority
All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Conservation Easement, end-to-end.

A conservation easement is a permanent restriction on the use of land, typically donated to a qualified land trust to preserve the land's natural or open-space character.

1

Eligibility review

Land must have conservation value: scenic, ecological, historic, open-space, or recreational. We assess whether your land qualifies. Most rural and undeveloped properties do; urban properties rarely.

2

Land trust selection

Donation must be to a qualified land trust (501(c)(3)). We refer to local and national land trusts (Land Trust Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, regional trusts). They accept the easement and hold the restriction in perpetuity.

3

Engineering + appraisal

Engineering work documents the conservation value. Qualified appraisal determines diminished land value (the deduction amount). IRS scrutinizes appraisals; we use highly credentialed appraisers with conservation easement experience.

4

Legal documentation + closing

Easement document recorded with county recorder. Permanent restriction runs with the land. Donor receives appraisal-supported deduction. Coordination with attorney specializing in conservation easements.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent conservation easement pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Carrier launch (MC + USDOT)

$1,999
Standard carrier

MC# + USDOT# + BOC-3 + UCR + first-year insurance coordination. Standard for interstate trucking carriers. Excludes BMC-91 insurance premium (paid to insurer).

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Broker launch (MC + BMC-84 + USDOT)

$2,499
Full broker stack

MC# + USDOT# + BOC-3 + UCR + BMC-84 surety bond setup + freight broker training reference. Standard for freight brokers / dispatchers. Excludes bond premium.

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Full carrier launch + IRP + IFTA

$3,999
Complete operating package

Standard carrier + IRP apportioned plate setup + IFTA fuel-tax sticker + first-year IFTA quarterly setup + UCR + safety program template. For carriers operating 5+ states.

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FAQ

About the Conservation Easement Service.

What is DOT and MC authority?
A USDOT number identifies a commercial motor carrier for federal safety oversight, and MC (operating) authority is the FMCSA permission to operate as a for-hire carrier across state lines, so many trucking and transport businesses need both to operate legally. We flag which your operation requires and keep your entity organized alongside it.
Who needs a USDOT number?
Generally businesses operating commercial vehicles above certain weights, carrying passengers, or hauling cargo in interstate commerce need a USDOT number, and some states require it for intrastate operations too. We flag whether your vehicles and operation trigger the requirement so you register before you need to be compliant.
What is the difference between DOT and MC numbers?
A USDOT number is a safety identifier for carriers, while MC authority is the operating permission a for-hire interstate carrier needs, so many carriers need both, but some, like certain private or intrastate carriers, need only a USDOT number. We flag which applies so you obtain the right registrations.
Do I need MC authority for intrastate trucking?
Often not: MC authority governs interstate for-hire operation, so a purely intrastate carrier may need only a USDOT number plus state registrations, while crossing state lines for hire generally requires MC authority. We flag your operation's scope so you register for interstate authority only if you actually need it.
What else does a trucking business need?
Beyond DOT and MC authority, carriers typically deal with a BOC-3 process agent filing, insurance requirements, UCR registration, and often IFTA for fuel tax, so compliance goes well past the initial numbers. We flag the full set so your operation is not caught missing a required filing after you start.
How does forming an LLC fit with getting authority?
Many carriers form an LLC for liability protection and obtain the DOT and MC authority in the entity's name, so the business, not the individual, holds the authority. We form and organize the entity so your trucking authority sits under a proper business structure from the start.
How long does it take to get operating authority?
FMCSA processing includes a mandatory waiting period after an MC authority application before it becomes active, so it takes several weeks, and insurance and process-agent filings must be in place. We flag the timeline so you apply early enough to be operating when you plan to start hauling.
Does authority need to be maintained?
Yes: carriers must keep insurance on file, complete required registrations like UCR, keep records current, and stay in good standing with FMCSA, or authority can be revoked. We flag the ongoing obligations so your operating authority stays active rather than lapsing over a missed filing.
Can File.Business help me set up a trucking business?
We form the LLC, obtain the EIN, and provide registered agent service, and flag the DOT, MC authority, BOC-3, insurance, and UCR steps a carrier needs, so your trucking business is built on a proper entity with the compliance path laid out clearly.

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SOC 2 Type II audited
220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.
Your operating system, not a transaction
Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.

Start your business in the next 5 minutes.

No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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