Free Authority Setup
Everything between "I want my own authority" and "I'm hauling."
The education here is free. When you want QP Trucking Solutions to do the paperwork for you, you pay QP processing fees — published below, with no surprises — plus the government fees, which are separate and go straight to the agencies.
Not sure which of these your operation needs? Click any service's guide link below or request a free consultation. You won't be sold services you don't need.
1. Learn for free
Read the Before Applying lessons in the University library so you understand startup costs and USDOT number vs. MC rules before spending anything.
2. Talk it through
Request help and a QP Trucking Solutions representative schedules a free consultation to determine what your operation actually requires.
3. We handle the paperwork
A signed agreement and payment (or approved Circle Network waiver) start the work. QP prepares and manages your filings; government fees are paid separately.
Standard
Full schedule
For everyone. QP processing fees as published, one service at a time or as a package.
Factoring or Insurance
50% off
For QP factoring clients or QP insurance clients — the discounted tier from the schedule below.
Circle Network
Most fees free
Requires factoring plus a preferred insurance vendor. Most processing fees on the schedule are waived for Circle members.
QP Processing Fee Schedule
QP processing fees only — government fees are separate and set by the agencies. Click any guide link to read what each filing does.
| Service & Free Guides | Frequency | Standard | Factoring or Insurance | Circle Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Setup | ||||
LLC Setup Forms your limited liability company with the state, separating business liabilities from personal assets and creating the legal entity your authority is built on. | One-time | $300 | $150 | Free |
EIN Assistance Obtains an Employer Identification Number from the IRS so your business can open bank accounts and meet tax obligations. | One-time | $300 | $150 | Free |
| Authority & Filings | ||||
New Authority Application Prepares and submits your USDOT number and operating authority (MC) application with FMCSA — the filing that registers your company as a motor carrier. | One-time | $300 | $150 | Confirm with rep* |
BOC-3 Filing Designates process agents in every state so legal documents can be served on your behalf — required before interstate operating authority is activated. | One-time | $199 | $99 | Free |
SCAC Registers your Standard Carrier Alpha Code — the unique code that identifies your company in shipping, intermodal and border-crossing systems. | One-time | $199 | $99 | Free |
| Tax & Registration | ||||
Form 2290 Assistance Helps you prepare the federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax return (IRS Form 2290) for vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more — filed annually, with the stamped Schedule 1 needed for IRP registration. | Annual | $300 | $150 | Free |
IRP Setup Sets up your International Registration Plan account so your apportioned plates are valid across the jurisdictions where you actually run. | One-time | $499 | $249 | Free |
IFTA Setup Opens your International Fuel Tax Agreement account so you can report fuel use across member jurisdictions with one license and one set of decals. | One-time | $499 | $249 | Free |
IFTA Renewal Renews your IFTA license and decals each year and keeps your quarterly fuel-tax reporting on schedule. | Renewable | $300 | $150 | Free |
| Compliance | ||||
DOT Compliance PDF Our DOT compliance guide in digital form — the reference version of what regulators look for and how to keep it organized. | One-time | $99 | $99 | Free |
DOT Compliance Binder The printed binder that organizes your required compliance records — driver files, maintenance, testing and more — in one audit-ready place. | One-time | $139 | $139 | Free |
Drug & Alcohol Consortium Enrolls you in a DOT-compliant random testing program, as required under 49 CFR Part 382 for CDL drivers. | Annual | $399 | $199 | Free |
MCS-150 Update Files your biennial MCS-150 update with FMCSA so your carrier record — mileage, fleet and contact details — stays current as required every two years. | Every 2 years | $199 | $99 | Free |
UCR Registration Handles your Unified Carrier Registration — the annual registration interstate carriers, brokers and freight forwarders pay in most states. | Annual | $199 | $99 | Free |
- These are QP processing fees only — government fees are separate and are set by the agencies.
- The discounted tier is for QP factoring or insurance clients. Circle Network pricing requires factoring plus a preferred insurance vendor.
- Circle pricing for new authority applications is being confirmed — ask your QP representative before relying on it.
- DOT Compliance PDF and binder are the same price for standard and factoring/insurance clients.
- Not every listed service is needed for every carrier — your consultation determines what your operation actually requires, and some services renew annually or biennially.
The fine print, up front
- Government fees are separate — they're set by FMCSA, the IRS and state agencies, not by QP.
- Some services are one-time; others renew annually or every two years. The Frequency column shows which.
- You may not need every service listed — your consultation determines what applies to your operation.
- Not all third-party costs are covered by Circle membership — insurance premiums, truck payments and fuel remain your business costs.
Connected Knowledge Graph
Authority Setup Topics, Keywords & Filing Guides
Research every filing on this page through our free companion Web Articles and official government links.
Short-Tail Keywords
Core trucking & compliance topics
Long-Tail Search Guides
Specific step-by-step questions linked to full web articles
Official Agency & Industry Web Articles
Get Authority to Operate (MC Number) — Official FMCSA Guide
Direct federal filing option and official statutory requirements.
IRS Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Overview
Federal tax schedule for 55,000+ lb commercial vehicles and stamped Schedule 1 rules.
Authority Setup & Pricing FAQs
Answers to common questions on filing order, separate government charges, and tier waivers.
Always start with your home-state LLC and IRS EIN so every agency receives the exact same legal business name. Next, pre-quote commercial truck insurance, submit your USDOT/MC application, post your BOC-3 and insurer BMC-91 during FMCSA's vetting window, and complete Form 2290, IRP Setup, IFTA Setup, UCR, and your CDL Drug & Alcohol Consortium.
Carriers who use either QP freight factoring OR QP insurance receive the 50% Discounted processing fee on most services. Carriers who BOTH factor with QP AND place insurance through a preferred vendor qualify for the Circle Network, waiving most scheduled processing fees (New Authority Application Circle pricing is confirmed with your rep).
Never. Many carriers only need a handful of services—for example, a non-CDL 16,000-lb box truck hauling domestic dry freight generally does not need Form 2290, IRP Setup, IFTA Setup, Drug & Alcohol Consortium, or a SCAC code. Your free consultation maps out only what applies to your truck and lanes.
Yes, always. QP Trucking Solutions is a private back-office provider, not a government agency. Every University lesson and Web Article on this site teaches how the filings work whether you self-file or hire QP.
UCR renews annually prior to January 1; Form 2290 renews annually July 1–August 31 (or the month after first highway use); IFTA credentials renew annually while fuel returns file quarterly; Drug & Alcohol Consortium membership renews annually; and Form MCS-150 updates every two years.
Ready to hand off the paperwork?
Request a free consultation and a QP Trucking Solutions representative will map out exactly what you need — and what you don't.