WHO DOES WHAT
Who handles what.
Some of your compliance we run for you. Some goes through a vetted partner. And some you can knock out yourself — we'll point you to the official site. Here's exactly who does what.
VERTICAL IDENTITY RUNS THIS FOR YOU
We administer your compliance program
One membership — we administer all of it and keep you audit-ready.
- Join a drug & alcohol consortium (C/TPA)
- Pass a pre-employment drug test
- Register + query the FMCSA Clearinghouse
- Build your Driver Qualification File
- DOT medical card (physical)
- Written drug & alcohol policy
- Supervisor reasonable-suspicion training
BEFORE YOUR AUTHORITY
Getting started (before your authority)
Before you apply for your DOT number or MC authority, a few business-formation steps come first. We can connect you with vetted partners for each.
Form your LLC
We can connect you with a vetted business-formation partner — and we'll remind you to form in your home base state, since your IRP, IFTA, and authority are base-state-tied.
Northwest Registered Agent
Top pickForms your LLC and shields your home address with a strong privacy reputation — file in your home base state.
Visit Northwest Registered Agent →Harbor Compliance
Compliance-focused business formation — a good fit if you want formation and registered-agent handled together.
Visit Harbor Compliance →Some links on this page are partner links. If you sign up through them, Vertical Identity may earn a referral fee — at no extra cost to you. We only list providers we'd point a new carrier to regardless.
Registered agent
Some states require a registered agent for your LLC; we can connect you with one.
Northwest Registered Agent
Top pickActs as your registered agent so legal mail goes to them, not your truck or home.
Visit Northwest Registered Agent →Harbor Compliance
Registered-agent service in every state with compliance tracking built in.
Visit Harbor Compliance →Some links on this page are partner links. If you sign up through them, Vertical Identity may earn a referral fee — at no extra cost to you. We only list providers we'd point a new carrier to regardless.
Authority-application filing
Rather not file your USDOT / MC application yourself? We can connect you with a filing partner.
Your EIN is free directly from the IRS — don't pay a third party for it. Get your EIN at IRS.gov →
HANDLED THROUGH A VETTED PARTNER
Done through a partner we work with
Form your business (LLC or sole proprietor)
Get a business website
File your BOC-3 (process agent)
Get a load board account to find loads
Your BOC-3 process-agent filing is handled through a vetted process-agent partner we work with, so it's done right and stays on file.
Insurance (BMC-91X) — optional referral
Need coverage? We'll connect you with a licensed insurance partner who files your BMC-91X.
Your insurer files this on your behalf — this is an optional referral if you don't already have one.
Joe Morten & Son (Great West)
Top pickA trucking insurance specialist we can refer you to for your commercial coverage.
Visit Joe Morten & Son (Great West) →Some links on this page are partner links. If you sign up through them, Vertical Identity may earn a referral fee — at no extra cost to you. We only list providers we'd point a new carrier to regardless.
YOU CAN DO THIS YOURSELF
Straightforward on the official sites
Straightforward on the official government sites — and if you'd rather not, several of these we can handle too.
Get your EIN (free, from the IRS)
Open a business bank account
Define where you run and what you haul
Get a business phone number
Set up a business email
Get your USDOT number
You can file this yourself — or we can handle it.
File your operating-authority (MC) application
You can file this yourself — or we can handle it.
File your insurance (BMC-91X)
Register for UCR
You can file this yourself — or we can handle it.
File IRS Form 2290 (HVUT)
Register IRP apportioned plates
Get your IFTA license + decals
State weight-distance tax permits
PHMSA hazmat registration
FOR PARTNERS
Partner with Vertical Identity
Work with new motor carriers? Refer them to a consortium that actually fulfills the compliance — and we'll send compliance referrals back to you. We work with insurance agents, process agents, factoring companies, ELD providers, and other referral partners.
Partner inquiry
Tell us a bit about you and we'll reach out. (Use this form to start a partner conversation.)
Or reach us directly:
Email: [email protected]
Call or text: (602) 899-1606
Hours: Mon–Fri 6 AM – 5 PM AZ
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify requirements with FMCSA and your state DOT.