New MC starter guide
Ordered for first-year carriers and anyone standing up a fresh authority. Work top to bottom — each step links to an SDS tool or next action.
1. Authority & identity
Confirm MC and USDOT are active on FMCSA. Use Carrier Lookup to see what brokers will see — legal name, address, and authority status.
Open Carrier Lookup2. Insurance that clears credit
Get BIPD and cargo limits your lanes actually need. Ask your agent for a clean COI and a process for additional insured requests the same day.
Packet checklist3. Factoring (most new MCs)
Pick a factor, complete underwriting, and get your Notice of Assignment. Brokers will not fund slow if remittance is unclear.
Broker Check + factor portals4. Packet ready before outreach
W-9, authority, COI, NOA, dispatch contacts. Send the full packet the hour a rate is agreed — missing pages kill loads.
Finish your packet5. Boards + rate discipline
Get on at least one major board. Set a floor RPM and use the lane check so slow weeks do not train you into cheap freight.
Rate boards & lane check6. Price empty miles
A good linehaul with a bad deadhead is still a bad decision. Run deadhead math before you accept out-of-way freight.
Deadhead calculator7. Compliance on the road
ELD, HOS, IFTA/IRP, and inspection readiness. Bookmark the driver links so the truck is not guessing mid-route.
Driver & compliance links8. Desk support (optional)
If you want a named dispatcher on your MC — booking, brokers, paperwork — SDS runs weekly retainers with no cut of your freight pay.
Request a desk review
All free tools: Tools hub.