DAT Copilot™ Authority Program

Few journeys are as rewarding as starting your own business. Getting your operating authority can be a complicated process – it helps to have a copilot.

DAT has been supporting freight businesses for over 45 years. We’ll guide you through it all with expert advice, and then support you after your venture begins.

Authority for Carriers

Authority for Brokers

The copilot you didn’t know you needed

There’s no reason to start your journey alone. We’ll guide you through the hard stuff – handling the proper paperwork and permits – and then stay with you once you hit the road.

• Book the best loads on North America’s largest load board

Find profitable loads anywhere on DAT One and save 50% for your first 6 months.

• Get non-recourse factoring

Boost your business with factoring. Get paid in as little as 15 minutes and get rates as low as 1%.

DAT Copilot™ Authority Bundle

$399

• Federal MC Authority ($300)
• BOC-3 MC Authority ($30)
• 50% off DAT One for 6 months (from $150)1
• Factoring for fast payouts, low rates, and no long-term commitments

Get over $650 in instant value Save over $7,000 in your first year

Add- On Services

• IRP/IFTA
• State Specific Mileage Permits
• Safety Kit
• Intrastate Permits

• Pricing and Requirements vary by state. 1Starts after Authority & Insurance granted.

Not quite ready to commit? Start with our DAT U course How to Start a Trucking Company, and gain the knowledge you need!

Starting your own freight brokerage

We’ll shepherd you through the process of getting your brokerage off the ground, plus access to tools to grow quickly.

Get authority fast and hassle free

Let us secure your DOT registration and FMCSA MC docket number.

Eliminate headaches

We’ll file your BOC-3 process agent.

Expert guidance at your fingertips

Feel support every step of the way, even after you’re up and running.

Need more help?

Set yourself up for success with Freight 360’s freight broker training, available at a discount through DAT.

Broker Authority: Basic

$685

/month

• All Federal Fees
• USDOT and MC Number
• BOC-3 Process Agent

Broker/Carrier Authority

$1,443

/month

• USDOT and MC Number
• IRP & IFTA
• Intrastate Application
• Safety Compliance Kit

• DAT Authority prepares the state applications for you but does not file them. You will need to sign the application and submit them with the required state fees. State fees are not included in the package price and must be paid separately.

What our customers are saying

“They took me by the hand and led me through all of the difficult and confusing steps to ensure that I started off on the right foot. I cannot say it any clearer than these folks know what it’s all about.”

Gregg Knight, LTL Trucking

FAQs

A few things you might be asking yourself

What do I need to have to start a carrier business?

Before you can begin operating as a carrier, there are a few things you need to get in order. Check out our Carrier Startup Guide first to make sure you’re checking all the boxes. Trucking authority is the permission granted to you by the government to get paid to move freight. After you’ve received trucking authority, you can begin operating under your own MC number or the DOT number assigned to you by the Department of Transportation. Carriers are also required to register for the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and apply for state-specific permits as needed.

What is broker authority?

Broker authority is the permission granted by the government that allows you to facilitate load deliveries between shippers and carriers. Trucking operations and brokerages alike need to receive MC numbers before they can begin operations. Brokers also need to apply for an FF (or freight forwarder) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and a DOT number from the U.S. Department of Transportation).

What are MC and DOT numbers?

Your MC number is issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and is the certification that allows you to cross state lines while getting paid to move freight. Your DOT number will be issued by the Department of Transportation and is the primary number used for tracking your trucking business. This number registers your drivers, truckers, and overall safety rating, but doesn’t actually count as trucking authority.

How long does it take to get authority?

Typically, it takes a minimum of five to seven weeks to complete the state and federal approval process. Federal approval alone can take around 16 business days. Pair that with filling out BOC-3 process agent forms (which are required for federal authority), obtaining adequate insurance policies, and paying registration fees, and the process might be a bit more complicated than you think. Trust us with your trucking authority and we’ll make your job easier, simple as that.