Where to start

[ASTRO]

I own/operate a repossession company and currently have GA intrastate authority only. I have been transporting an ever increasing number of units to and from the auctions. Making good contacts and I have requests to transport out of GA. My problem is getting set up with Interstate authority and all the trimmings. Should I pay a service to do the filing work or can a "transport rookie" stumble through? I want to cover all the bases first time around. I have more than adequate insurance. Repo insurance is hell. LOL.

I plan on running GA, FL, AL, SC, NC, TN, KY, VA for now. I want to handle my auto customers and fill in with freight. I have 06 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4(no bed) with 08 Hefty lowboy(45ft of deck and 3ft rear slide outs)(Class A CDL, plated in GA @ 36K) Any advice is welcome.

[Buster]

There are some places out there that do your authority for a fair price. You can do it yourself though with a little Patience.

[ccoop769]

I wouldnt pay, what a rip. We were all rooks at 1 point. Im sure we all did it ourselve. The site explains everything you need, and doesnt take any longer the 30 minutes to do everything.

[cosgo]

Im opposite of coop on this one. I did it myself the first time, and it wasnt difficult, but ive since found a great permit place near me, and for the $550 they charge, id do it everytime that way. Its cheap insurance and its done right an quick... I guess my mentality has changed a little over the years. I'd rather devote my time to other things than doing all the paperwork associated with getting DOT numbers... To me anyway, its worth the cash. For others that have a little time on their hands, you could save a buck.

[ETS]

What kind of places do this kind of thing? :confused:

[cosgo]

you can google truck compliance, or truck permit agency and see whats in your area.

[ETS]

Thanks Cosgo :D

[ETS]

Ok guys, another question. What's the deal with apportioned plates? I think I read somewhere that they can cost up to $3k :eek: I'm assuming we're required to have them? :)

[Buster]

Yes you will need apportioned plates. This is done through your local DMV. My Dodge ram 4500, registered at 40,000 lbs for 13 states costs me $1300 per year. If I registered it for all 48 states it would only cost me $1450 a year. $3k is more likely for a big rig.

For your authority, I used a guy named Bill Dove at 1-239-985-9341. He was friendly and not expensive.

[ETS]

Oops, didn't realize this wasn't my thread. Sorry Astro didn't mean to jack your thread. Thanks Buster, that's a much easier number to swallow :D

[Buster]

For Bill Dove
http://www.hotshotcarrier.com/

[ASTRO]

Hey ETS, dont worry about the post jackin'. We all need the same questions answered. I did my own intrastate with no problem. Im not so much concerned with doing IRP and interstate authority myself as much as IFTA and quarterlys. Then add KY requirements. Maybe I will pay for a service. How do yall handle drug testing requirements?

[Buster]

For drug testing, join a consortium.
I use these people. Prices are fair and nice people.

Mobile occupational services
11687 Hesperia rd
Hesperia CA 92345
1-800-429-9333
1-760-244-6886
Fax 1-760-244-6061

[LBZ]

For drug testing you can go through OOIDA as well, think that affiliate is CMCI. It is who I have & they send you an annual report for your files. Am sure the others do as well & they are all about the same price...

[Dorsey]

For you east coast guys I wouldn't go with mobile occupational services. I have them and dealing with them is a headache. It took them a week when I first got them to find me a testing site. I used that test site a few times and now there's a different person doing the test and last time I went they wouldn't do the test on me because I don't have my own cups from the lab and they don't have any cups from that lab there. I have used that test site before when I worked for other people without a problem. Next time I'm using Foley. From what they told me they have to ship my piss all the way to California to the lab mobile uses. I've always heard good about Foley.

[Tosch88]

We use Foley, never had any problems. I take my tests less than 2 miles away from my house. We use Foley for everything. Costs us about $200 a year.