What’s new

Get Into Trucking has rolled out its “Launch Program,” a soup-to-nuts onboarding track aimed at first-time owner-operators. The company says it coaches applicants from business formation through federal authority, compliance, and early revenue steps—without charging a service fee; participants pay only the government filing costs tied to each requirement.

How the program works

Step 1: Form a business and secure an EIN. The program walks applicants through choosing an entity, checking name availability with the state, and opening a dedicated business account. A key early task is obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which the IRS issues online at no charge—useful both for tax purposes and for subsequent federal filings.

Step 2: Register for federal operating authority. Once the entity is set, carriers must register with FMCSA via the Unified Registration System to obtain a USDOT number and, if hauling for hire, operating authority (MC number). The program positions this as a guided application, flags the public protest period that follows submission, and covers required filings such as BOC-3 (process agents) and Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). These are standard FMCSA milestones for new entrants.

Step 3: Compliance and licensing. Before authority goes active, proof of insurance must be filed with FMCSA. The program also touches CDL prerequisites, enrollment in a drug-and-alcohol testing consortium, and tax/registration programs that keep multi-state operations legal and efficient—heavy vehicle tax (Form 2290), IFTA fuel tax accounts, IRP apportioned plates, and state-specific weight-distance schemes (for example, NY, KY, NM). New carriers should expect a New Entrant Safety Audit within the first year; the curriculum is designed to prep paperwork and procedures ahead of that review.

Step 4: Hitting the road. Beyond licensing, the Launch Program tackles practical startup decisions: how to approach equipment purchases or leases, choosing an ELD that fits your operation, using load boards, picking a fuel card, and smoothing cash flow via factoring. The intent is to bridge the gap between “authority granted” and “first invoice paid.”

Why it matters for owner-operators and fleets

Standing up new authority can stall on avoidable errors—miskeyed application data, missing process-agent designations, late UCR payment, or insurance filings that don’t reach FMCSA in time. A structured pathway that mirrors FMCSA’s registration and New Entrant Safety Assurance Program can reduce the risk of delays and early compliance missteps, which is especially valuable when cash flow depends on getting trucks moving quickly.

Cost and timeline signals

Service fees: The company markets its guidance as free; plan, however, for government fees at the state and federal levels (entity formation, operating authority, UCR, apportioned plates) and for commercial insurance premiums before activation.
EIN and core filings: The EIN is immediate and free through the IRS; other registrations depend on processing, public-notice windows, insurer filings, and state backlogs.
New Entrant period: Expect close oversight during your first months of operation, culminating in a safety audit—build recordkeeping systems from day one.

Practical prep checklist

Decide your business structure with help from a tax pro; open a separate business bank account immediately after getting your EIN.
Map your FMCSA path: USDOT, MC authority (if for-hire), BOC-3, and UCR—all aligned to your planned commodities and lanes.
Line up insurance early so your carrier files can be sent to FMCSA without slowing activation.
Enroll drivers in a compliant drug-and-alcohol testing program and confirm CDL/endorsement needs by equipment and freight type.
Plan for tax and plate mechanics: heavy-vehicle tax (Form 2290), IFTA, IRP, and any state weight-distance accounts.
Budget beyond filings: ELD hardware/software, factoring reserves, and cash buffers for 30–60 day broker payment cycles.

Bottom line

For drivers moving from company seats to their own authority—or fleets adding fresh DOT numbers—the Launch Program offers a consolidated, no-fee playbook that tracks closely with FMCSA’s registration and new-entrant requirements while layering in practical business startup advice. If you’re comfortable handling filings solo, the IRS and FMCSA provide the same core steps directly; if you’d prefer coaching, this guided path could accelerate the move from paperwork to paying loads.

Sources Consulted: Get Into Trucking; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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