BY STATE — VIRGINIA
Getting your DOT authority in Virginia
After your federal authority is granted, your truck registration and any state-level requirements run through Virginia’s own agencies. Below is the full checklist plus Virginia’s specific filings and official links.
Your new-carrier checklist (registered in Virginia)
This is the standard for-hire interstate stack, with the IRP, IFTA, and weight-distance permit links resolved to Virginia. Items marked “Vertical Identity” are handled by us when you enroll.
Activate your authority
File your BOC-3 (process agent)
A registered process agent must file this. We resell a partner that handles it.
When:Before authority is granted; must stay on file.
Source: 49 CFR §366 · reviewed 2026-06-14
File your insurance (BMC-91X)
Your insurer files this electronically. $750k for most for-hire property; higher for passenger/hazmat.
When:Within 20 days of FMCSA Register publication.
Source: 49 CFR §387 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Authority goes ACTIVE
You may not operate until your authority shows ACTIVE. (Not a flat "21 days.")
When:~3–4 weeks (10-day protest + 20-day filing); longer if vetted.
Source: FMCSA registration · reviewed 2026-06-14
Register for UCR
UCR's site makes DIY easy — do it yourself there, or we'll handle it. Fees = official UCR schedule.
When:Annual; before interstate operation.
Source: 49 U.S.C. §14504a · reviewed 2026-06-14
Get compliant to operate
Join a drug & alcohol consortium (C/TPA)
Owner-operators MUST be in a consortium for random testing — you can't self-administer. We are your C/TPA.
When:Before any driver performs a safety-sensitive function.
Source: 49 CFR §382 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Pass a pre-employment drug test
The test must be passed — not just taken — before driving. We order it.
When:Negative result REQUIRED before the first dispatch.
Source: 49 CFR §382.301 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Register + query the FMCSA Clearinghouse
Login.gov steps are yours; we run the queries as your TPA.
When:Full query pre-employment; limited query annually.
Source: Clearinghouse final rule · reviewed 2026-06-14
Build your Driver Qualification File
Even a solo owner-operator needs a DQF on themselves. We manage it.
When:Before driving; MVR within 30 days of hire + annually.
Source: 49 CFR §391.51 · reviewed 2026-06-14
DOT medical card (physical)
Required to hold a CDL for interstate non-excepted driving. We perform the physical.
When:Valid up to 24 months — can be shorter. Renew before expiry.
Source: 49 CFR §391.41–.49 + §383.71 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Written drug & alcohol policy
A written policy is required. We provide one per DOT mode.
When:Provided to drivers before they drive.
Source: 49 CFR §382.601 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Supervisor reasonable-suspicion training
60 min drugs + 60 min alcohol for anyone making reasonable-suspicion calls. We train them.
When:Before the DER/supervisor supervises drivers.
Source: 49 CFR §382.603 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Register your truck
File IRS Form 2290 (HVUT)
Vehicles ≥55,000 lb. E-file returns a stamped Schedule 1 in minutes — do it yourself at IRS.gov.
When:Before plating (Schedule 1 required to register).
Source: IRS Form 2290 · reviewed 2026-06-14
Register IRP apportioned plates
Multi-state operation. File through your base state — link below for each state you picked. Apportioned plates are about the VEHICLE running interstate, not about holding MC authority — private and exempt-commodity carriers (USDOT-only, no MC) register IRP too.
When:After authority is active; needs your base state.
Where to do it: VA
Source: IRP / base-state · reviewed 2026-06-14
Pass your New Entrant Audit
Pass your New Entrant Safety Audit
The #1 automatic failure is having no drug & alcohol program. Stay enrolled and you pass.
When:Within 12 months of starting operations.
Source: 49 CFR §385 subpart D · reviewed 2026-06-14
Core regulatory sources: 49 CFR §382 · 49 CFR §385 subpart D · last reviewed 2026-06-14
Virginia state specifics
IRP (apportioned plates)
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Motor Carrier Services
IFTA (fuel-tax license)
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Motor Carrier Services
Intrastate operating authority
Required — separate state authority
Virginia requires a separate For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority (certificate, permit, or license) issued by the DMV — beyond a USDOT number — to transport property or passengers for hire point-to-point within the state, unless the operation is exempt or uses only vehicles rated 10,000 lbs GVWR or less for property.
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Motor Carrier Services
Weight-distance / mileage tax
Virginia has no weight-distance tax
Virginia does NOT levy a per-mile weight-distance/mileage tax (only NY, NM, KY, and OR do). Virginia's 'Road Tax on Motor Carriers' is a per-gallon fuel tax collected through IFTA for interstate carriers and an annual Virginia Road Tax (VRT) flat fee collected at registration for intrastate vehicles (3+ axles or 26,001+ lbs) — not a distance-based tax.
State details sourced from official Virginia .gov agencies · last reviewed 2026-06-14
We handle the federal compliance stack
Enroll in our consortium and we take care of your drug & alcohol program, Clearinghouse queries, and driver qualification files — while you handle the Virginia registrations above.
Enroll in the consortiumThis is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify requirements with FMCSA and your state DOT. See all states →