How to Start a Trucking Company in North Dakota (2026)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Before you apply for any authority or operating licenses, set up your legal entity. Most owner-operators choose a single-member LLC for liability protection. In North Dakota, you file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State at sos.nd.gov. The filing fee is $135. You'll also need to:

Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — free at irs.gov, takes 5 minutes online
Open a dedicated business bank account in the LLC's name before you start running
Register with the North Dakota Secretary of State for a registered agent (can be yourself if you have a ND physical address)

See our LLC vs. S-Corp post if you're unsure which structure fits your situation.

Step 2: Get Your USDOT Number

Any commercial vehicle operating in interstate commerce needs a USDOT number. Register at the FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS) at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The registration is free. You'll need your EIN and basic business information. Once registered, you'll receive your USDOT number immediately — but you can't operate until you also have operating authority (MC number) if you're a for-hire carrier.

Step 3: Apply for Motor Carrier Authority (MC Number)

If you're hauling freight for hire — meaning someone is paying you to move their cargo — you need an MC number from the FMCSA. Apply through the same URS portal. The filing fee is $300. After FMCSA approves your application:

You'll have a 10-day protest period where existing carriers can object (rare)
You then have to file your BOC-3 (designation of process agents) — a service agent like NASTC, BOC3filing.com, or similar handles this for ~$30
You must have insurance on file with the FMCSA before authority activates

The whole process typically takes 3–6 weeks from application to active authority.

Step 4: Get Your Insurance in Place

This is not optional and it's not cheap. FMCSA minimums for a standard dry van or flatbed operation:

Primary liability: $750,000 minimum for general freight; $1,000,000 for hazmat
Cargo insurance: Not federally required for most commodities, but brokers and shippers will require it — $100,000 is standard
Physical damage/comprehensive: Required by your lender if you're financing the truck

For a new authority in North Dakota, expect to pay $12,000–$18,000 per year for primary liability, depending on your driving history and the truck. Insurance is filed directly with FMCSA by your insurance agent (the MCS-90 endorsement).

Step 5: Register for IFTA and IRP

IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement): Required if you run a qualified vehicle across state lines. Apply with the ND Department of Transportation at dot.nd.gov. Your IFTA decals must be displayed on both sides of the cab. See our IFTA filing guide for full details on quarterly filings.

IRP (International Registration Plan): The apportioned license plate that covers you in all IRP member jurisdictions. You register through the ND Motor Vehicle Division. Fees are based on your declared mileage in each state. Renews annually.

Step 6: Set Up UCR

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is an annual fee paid to the state where you're based. For North Dakota, it's administered through the FMCSA portal. Fees are based on fleet size — for a one-truck operation, the 2026 fee is $72. Due by December 31 for the following year.

Step 7: Get Your QuickBooks Set Up Before You Move Your First Load

This is the step most new owner-operators skip until they're drowning in receipts three months later. Setting up your books before you start running means:

Every settlement, fuel purchase, and expense is captured from day one
Your cost per mile is visible in real time, not guessed at
Your quarterly IFTA return data (miles and fuel by state) is already organized
Your first tax season doesn't require reconstructing a year of records from bank statements

On the Accounting by Jay trucking plan, we set up your QuickBooks file with a trucking-specific chart of accounts, connect your bank feeds, and handle the monthly close so you can focus on driving. Book a call before you start running — it's much easier to build the system right the first time than to clean it up later.

North Dakota-Specific Notes

ND weight limits and permits: North Dakota allows higher weight limits on certain highways during certain seasons. Oversize and overweight loads require permits through the ND DOT — permits can be obtained online at dot.nd.gov for most configurations.

Bakken oilfield work: If you're running in the Bakken (McKenzie, Williams, Mountrail, Burke counties), many operators and brokers require additional insurance — particularly pollution liability for crude haulers. Check the specific requirements before you commit to a contract.

ND income tax: North Dakota has a state income tax with a flat rate of 2.5% (as of 2024). Self-employed owner-operators file a ND Schedule C equivalent and make quarterly state estimated payments in addition to federal estimates.

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General information, not tax or legal advice — see our disclaimer.