Understanding the BOC-3 List Of Process Agents: All You Need to Know
There are certain requirements that are laid down by the federal motor carrier safety administration regarding the BOC-3 list of process agents. These apply to all transportation companies, motor carriers, brokers, and also freight forwarders. They are required to have a BOC-3 list of process agents on file. The FMCSA must have the record of the same with them. When a motor carrier travels into any state, according to the FMCSA guidelines, they must have a process agent to represent them within that state.
If you are applying for a motor carrier number or motor carrier permit or your ICC authority, DOT authority, MC number, ICC number, trucking authority, ICC carrier, or truck authority, interstate authority, operating authority, federal highway authority, (each term means the same), any of these permits will not be granted to you if as a carrier, you do not have a list of process agents with the FMCSA on file.
Definition Of A Process Agent
A process agent is also called an agent of due process. This is a representative of a motor carrier in another state. If any proceeding is brought against a motor carrier, court papers may be served or sent to this representative instead of the motor carrier, freight forwarder, or the broker in that state. The process agent has the responsibility and obligation to accept those legal papers. They will then forward them to the carrier in their home state. Before any judgment can be levied against you, the papers will be conveyed to you promptly.
Your US DOT Number Application
In some states across the country, if you drive a commercial vehicle or use any kind of a commercial vehicle in your business that has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 LBS, you should register it for a US DOT number. This applies to a combination of truck and trailer, van and trailer, and similar vehicles, and that have a combined gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 LBS. If with the same vehicle or combination of vehicles, you intend to cross state lines, you must register for a US DOT number. If you intend to cross state lines with a vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs in weight, or a commercial vehicle that pulls a trailer, you will be required to get a unified carrier registration as well.
ICC Authority, Carrier Authority, DOT Authority
If you are a for-hire carrier, you are either hauling exempt loads or loads that need you to apply for a trucking authority, MC number, absolute trucking authority, ICC number, or ICC carrier. They are all the same. Other names given to them are ICC MC, ICC MC number, FMCSA authority, ICC permit, etc.
Apply for your ICC number and register for your UCR on time. You must also file your quarterly IFTA fuel tax reports on time. If you intend to transport exempt loads such as logs, grain, and livestock across state lines, you should apply for your US DOT number right away. In addition to that, you must register for your unified carrier registration filing as well. Make sure to file your quarterly IFTA fuel tax report as well. But you do not need to register for your DOT authority or ICC authority.
Broker Authority
If you use somebody else’s trucks or commercial vehicles to move loads, you will need a broker authority.
IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting
If you drive a commercial vehicle or a truck that has a weight of more than 26,000 LBS and you intend to haul loads with it across state lines, you will have to register for and file your IFTA fuel tax regularly. You will have to do this filing with your home state.
Your BOC-3 List Of Process Agents
If you are working as a for-hire carrier and want to apply for your ICC authority, MC number, trucking authority, or DOT authority, you must register for your BOC-3 list of process agents as well.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
The UCR is your Unified Carrier Registration filing and if you drive a commercial vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs or any commercial vehicle combination such as a trailer and truck combo, where the combined vehicle weight rating is more than 10,000 lbs and if you intend to cross state lines with the same, you must register for Unified Carrier Registration. If carriers intend to cross state lines, they must register for a unified carrier registration program. This requirement applies to private carriers, exempt carriers, and carriers with ICC authority, MC number, or trucking authority.
Single State Registration
In September 2007, the Unified Carrier Registration system replaced the Single State Registration System, which required motor carriers to register with their home state.
New York Highway Use Tax Registration
The New York Highway use tax is a weight distance tax. If you drive a powered vehicle that has a weight of more than 18,000 LBS or a truck and trailer combination or a tractor or trailer combination that has a weight of more than 18,000 LBS, and if you want to enter the state of New York, you will have to register for the New York highway use tax. This should be done before you enter New York.
Kentucky KYU Registration
To drive a commercial vehicle weighing 60,000 LBS or more, you must register for a Kentucky KYU number before entering the state. Obtaining this number is mandatory if you plan to cross state lines and enter Kentucky.
New Mexico Weight Distance Tax
You will also have to complete New Mexico weight distance tax registration if you intend to enter new Mexico and need to pay a mileage rate to cross the state line. You can either pay at the border or you can pre-register for your New Mexico weight distance tax registration and can pay once each quarter. By pre-registering with the state, you will only have to pay $16.50. If you are going east or west on I-40 with a vehicle that has a weight of 80,000 lbs and if you intend to pay at the scale house, you will have to shell out an amount of $60.
Oregon Weight Distance Tax
This state only has a weight distance tax registration requirement. It does not have an IFTA fuel tax formality. If you want to travel through this state, you can either pay at the border to cross Oregon or you can register for the weight distance tax and pay a monthly amount.
Texas DOT FORMALITIES
The state of Texas issues DOT numbers, which have various names including Texas DOT, TX DOT, DOT Texas, Texas DOT license, DOT state of Texas, DOT state TX, and DOT Number.
They apply to different types of businesses and operations. You will have to register for it as well. The requirement that you must fulfill is the Texas interest state authority for your truck or semi-tractor. This also applies to your trailer or pickup when attached to it. If you deliver loads inside Texas, you will have to fulfill this requirement. This applies to your vehicle if you pick up loads in Texas and travel across state lines as well. You will need a US DOT number for this. If you intend to take loads in and out of Texas, you may have to apply for interstate authority. It is very commonly known as ICC authority, MC authority, ICC number, ICC MC number, ICC filing, absolute trucking authority, and the like.
What Is Exempt Loads Information?
Exempt loads do not require you to carry any ICC authority, trucking authority, or DOT authority if you intend to cross state lines. However, if your vehicle has a weight of more than 10,000 lbs, you must register for a US DOT number. If the weight of the vehicle is more than 26,000 lbs and you want to cross state lines with it, you must also have an IRP license plate. You also need to register for IFTA fuel tax. The next step will be registering for your unified carrier registration program.
2290 Federal Highway Use Tax
Every truck and tractor, truck and trailer combination, and similar commercial vehicles that have a weight of more than 54,999 LBS are subject to this 2290 federal highway use tax. They must file for it regularly and without fail.
Federal ID Number
As an employer, you must possess a federal ID number to file your employment taxes. If your trucks or truck and trailer combination weigh more than 54,999 LBS after loading, you must file for your annual 2290 federal Highway use tax. You will require your EIN federal ID number for this purpose, as your social security number is not acceptable for filing.
Farm Trucks And Trailer Related Regulations
If you are performing operations within your state, different regulations may apply. But remember that every different state across the country is going to have its own farm truck and trailer regulations. You should look up those regulations on the state’s official website.
Crossing state lines with your farm plated truck or semi-tractors and trailers is only possible if you first register for your US DOT number and IFTA fuel tax.
IRP License Plates
If you run a truck or a trailer tractor combination that has a weight of more than 26,000 LBS and want to cross state lines with it, you must have an IRP plate or apportioned license plate. You will also have to register for your US DOT number and your IFTA fuel tax. If your trucking company has not leased you, then you must file your UCR immediately.
Commercial License Plates
Basic commercial license plate requirements are applicable to the weight of your truck, trailer, truck-trailer combination, and similar commercial vehicles.