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Longer answers to the questions one-truck carriers ask most, each with the rule quoted from FMCSA, the IRS, the UCR Plan or IRP and a link beside every number. Last checked Oct 25, 2026.
- ELD revoked: the 60-day rule and how to switchFMCSA gives carriers up to 60 days to replace a revoked ELD, then drivers go out of service. Steps to switch, keep 8 days of logs, and revocation counts by year.
- Form 2290 for owner-operators: what you owe and whenHeavy vehicle use tax for one truck: $550 a year over 75,000 lbs, less for a later first-use month. Due dates, Schedule 1, suspended trucks and late penalties, from the IRS.
- UCR 2027: who must file, fees and the Dec 31 deadlineUCR 2027 costs $55 for 0 to 2 trucks and is due before January 1, 2027. Who must register, all six brackets, and how to spot third-party UCR notices.
- The real cost of freight factoring per $10,000Factoring $10,000 costs $150 to $380 at published rates once payout fees are added, and more under aging and minimum-fee clauses. Every term cited to its source.
- New MC authority: your first 90 days, step by stepGetting your own authority: $300 to FMCSA, insurance and BOC-3 within 20 days of publication, drug testing before the first load, then UCR, IRP, IFTA, 2290 and the safety audit.
- MC number waiting period: protest, filings, timelineAfter FMCSA publishes your MC application, anyone has 10 days to protest and your insurer and process agent have 20 days to file. What can happen in that window, and how long until authority is active.
- FMCSA Motus problems: authority not active, loginL&I has shown only historical records since May 14, 2026, so check status in Motus. What each status means, why authority stalls or goes inactive, Login.gov fixes and FMCSA contacts.
- Owner-operator and new authority insurance: FMCSA rulesGeneral freight in a truck over 10,000 lbs needs $750,000 of liability coverage, filed by your insurer on a BMC-91 or 91X. The filings, the deadlines, what drives the premium and published cost data.
- Quick pay vs factoring: fees, speed and trade-offsBroker quick pay runs 2% to 5% on published terms, against 1.5% to 3% at published factoring rates. Speed, contracts, credit checks and who you can bill, with every number linked.
- IRP apportioned plates: who needs them, how fees workA truck over 26,000 lbs or with three axles running in two or more jurisdictions needs IRP plates. Base state rules, how mileage splits the fee, first-year estimates and where to apply.
- MCS-150 biennial update: due date, filing, penaltiesYour MCS-150 is due every two years in the month set by your USDOT number's last digit, in odd or even years by the next-to-last digit. Filing is free; penalties and the 2026 pause.