PASSENGER CARRIER — 49 CFR §382 + §387
Passenger authority + higher insurance. You carry the for-hire federal stack — BOC-3, insurance, UCR — plus the full drug & alcohol compliance program and vehicle registration. Passenger operations are subject to higher insurance minimums under 49 CFR §387.
These are the steps the engine includes for this authority type. Items marked “Vertical Identity” are handled by us when you enroll. Steps that don’t apply to this type are automatically left off.
A registered process agent must file this. We resell a partner that handles it.
When: Before authority is granted; must stay on file.
Source: 49 CFR §366 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Your insurer files this electronically. $750k for most for-hire property; higher for passenger/hazmat.
When: Within 20 days of FMCSA Register publication.
Source: 49 CFR §387 · reviewed 2026-06-14
You may not operate until your authority shows ACTIVE. (Not a flat "21 days.")
When: ~3–4 weeks (10-day protest + 20-day filing); longer if vetted.
Source: FMCSA registration · reviewed 2026-06-14
UCR's site makes DIY easy — do it yourself there, or we'll handle it. Fees = official UCR schedule.
When: Annual; before interstate operation.
Source: 49 U.S.C. §14504a · reviewed 2026-06-14
Owner-operators MUST be in a consortium for random testing — you can't self-administer. We are your C/TPA.
When: Before any driver performs a safety-sensitive function.
Source: 49 CFR §382 · reviewed 2026-06-14
The test must be passed — not just taken — before driving. We order it.
When: Negative result REQUIRED before the first dispatch.
Source: 49 CFR §382.301 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Login.gov steps are yours; we run the queries as your TPA.
When: Full query pre-employment; limited query annually.
Source: Clearinghouse final rule · reviewed 2026-06-14
Even a solo owner-operator needs a DQF on themselves. We manage it.
When: Before driving; MVR within 30 days of hire + annually.
Source: 49 CFR §391.51 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Required to hold a CDL for interstate non-excepted driving. We perform the physical.
When: Valid up to 24 months — can be shorter. Renew before expiry.
Source: 49 CFR §391.41–.49 + §383.71 · reviewed 2026-06-14
A written policy is required. We provide one per DOT mode.
When: Provided to drivers before they drive.
Source: 49 CFR §382.601 · reviewed 2026-06-14
60 min drugs + 60 min alcohol for anyone making reasonable-suspicion calls. We train them.
When: Before the DER/supervisor supervises drivers.
Source: 49 CFR §382.603 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Vehicles ≥55,000 lb. E-file returns a stamped Schedule 1 in minutes — do it yourself at IRS.gov.
When: Before plating (Schedule 1 required to register).
Source: IRS Form 2290 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Multi-state operation. File through your base state — link below for each state you picked. Apportioned plates are about the VEHICLE running interstate, not about holding MC authority — private and exempt-commodity carriers (USDOT-only, no MC) register IRP too.
When: After authority is active; needs your base state.
Find your state’s official links →
Source: IRP / base-state · reviewed 2026-06-14
Qualified vehicles in 2+ jurisdictions. Issued by your base state.
When: Before interstate operation; quarterly returns after.
Find your state’s official links →
Source: IFTA · reviewed 2026-06-14
The #1 automatic failure is having no drug & alcohol program. Stay enrolled and you pass.
When: Within 12 months of starting operations.
Source: 49 CFR §385 subpart D · reviewed 2026-06-14
Time estimates are practical, typical ranges — not guarantees. Your actual timing will vary.
Core regulatory sources: 49 CFR §382 — drug & alcohol testing · 49 CFR §385 subpart D — New Entrant Safety Audit · last reviewed 2026-06-14
Yes. Passenger carriers generally need passenger operating authority, which is separate from standard for-hire property authority, and are subject to higher insurance minimums under 49 CFR §387. Verify your specific authority type and insurance minimum with FMCSA before applying.
Under 49 CFR §387, passenger carriers carry higher insurance minimums than standard for-hire property carriers. The exact minimum depends on passenger capacity and operation type. Verify the requirement for your operation with FMCSA and your insurer.
Yes. The drug and alcohol testing requirements under 49 CFR Part 382 apply to all motor carriers employing CDL drivers in safety-sensitive functions, including passenger carriers. Owner-operators must enroll in a consortium and have a negative pre-employment test on file before first dispatch.
We run your drug & alcohol program, Clearinghouse queries, and driver qualification files.
Enroll in the consortiumThis is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify requirements with FMCSA and your state DOT.
FMCSA official tool
FMCSA has a free official wizard that asks a few questions about your operation and tells you exactly which USDOT registration and operating authority you need. It opens in a new tab, so this checklist stays right here as your reference.
Opens fmcsa.dot.gov in a new tab — an official .gov tool. We don’t collect anything from it.
