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TruckStart
Free trucking startup tool

Trucking Startup Cost Calculator

Estimate first-year non-insurance startup costs by state, equipment, authority type, filing approach, miles, and hazmat status. No signup required.

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Operation type
Authority status
Filing approach
Estimated first-year cost in Texas

Non-insurance subtotal

$2,554-$3,051

Class 8 sleeper. IRP is an estimate; actual fees vary by weight and state mix.

MC authority application (FMCSA OP-1)
$300
Interstate authority
USDOT number
$0
Everyone
BOC-3 process agent
$20-$50
Interstate authority
UCR registration
$59-$76
Interstate carriers
IFTA registration and decals
$25
Interstate qualified vehicles
IRP apportioned plate estimate
$2,050
Interstate Class 5+ vehicles
HVUT (Form 2290)
$100-$550
55,000+ lb vehicles

Insurance shown separately

First-year insurance estimate: $8,000-$15,000. Quote at least 3 agents before filing authority.

All-in estimate: $10,554-$18,051

You are already taking the cheap path

TruckStart's $19.50 toolkit is a guided walkthrough of the same line items, so you do not miss steps while avoiding filing-service fees.

Optional. We use your email once to save and send this estimate. No marketing list from this form.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this calculator?

It's an estimate within about 15% for common configurations. IRP fees are the biggest variable because they shift based on exact state mix and registered weight. Insurance ranges are even wider, so quote at least 3 agents.

Why is insurance shown separately?

Insurance quotes for new authority commonly range from $8,000 to $15,000 first-year all-in. That range is too wide to roll into one subtotal without misleading you.

Do you sell my email?

No. We use it once to save or send a copy of this estimate. You can ignore the email field entirely if you do not want a copy.

What's the cheapest legal way to start?

Federal MC authority application ($300), USDOT (free), BOC-3 (about $25), UCR (about $60), IFTA decal (about $25), and IRP. Filing service fees are optional and add $1,500-$2,500.

Why is Texas different from Florida?

IRP and intrastate requirements vary by state. Texas has a separate intrastate motor carrier path and IRP fees can scale aggressively with weight and mileage.

What about ongoing costs after year one?

This calculator is first-year only. Recurring annual costs usually include UCR renewal, IFTA decals, IRP renewal, HVUT, insurance renewal, maintenance, parking, and bookkeeping.