Getting my authority

[Randg1]

OK Dave, sorry I did'nt check my PM's for a while----
First, I'm only getting intrastate authority for Tx.. It is so much easier to do than messing with federal DOT.
I called OOIDA Business Services & they told me to call Tx. Dot & request a certificate & pin number. When I did, the guy at Tx. DOT ask for my name- address-phone # & name of the new business. Ask if I wanted a 1 year or 2 year certificate.
I then called Business Services & gave them the numbers. Next I called OOSI for the required ins. & told her that Business Services is handleing the authority for me so they can coordinate & send all the required papers to Tx..
I chose single state over Fed. because I don't have to maintain a employee file or drug screen file on myself. Don't have to sweat out a DOT inspection of all their required paperwork bs.
The authority will cost me $225.00 for 2 years & OOIDA is charging $100.00 to handle this for me. I Know I can do it myself but it would take a couple of days to put it together & I can make a lot more by paying them to do it for me.

[Big_Dave]

OK Dave, sorry I did'nt check my PM's for a while----
:rofl: No problem. Thanks for posting all the steps you had to take to do this. :cool:

Mind if I move this over to the O/O Forum?

[Randg1]

sure it's ok---

[Randg1]

For anyone contemplating getting their Fed DOT authority, I suggest contacting OOIDA for a package of all required forms & instructions on the process. I think OOIDA charges $300.00 to do the whole thing, which is quite complicated. I have the package & that is why I decided to with Tx. only.

[HSLD]

Bob,

Wished you had called me. We could have done this in about thirty minutes.

I'd also recommend (even though you don't have to in some areas because you're running TX intrastate) following US DOT Regs. It doesn't take a whole lot setting up your companies paperwork that way when you're first starting out. I figure, if and when the State of Texas audits me, they'll see that I'm not only following TX DOT regs, but US DOT as well, the audit process will go much smoother.

I also do that in the odd chance I decide to expand outside of intrastate operationsand get a US DOT number. But like I told you on the phone, I may start using trip permits and sticking with the TX DOT #.

Business services at OOIDA has an awesome check list for DOT audits. It's a great tool for someone who's just starting out and getting things set up. But, you're gonna have to get that fax machine of yours fixed or replaced.

v/r

HSLD

[Randg1]

You are right Ken. I do plan to set up the files to US standards for the reasons you stated. However, at this time I'm only planning to stay in Tx. or as you, go on a permit basis into adjoining states as the need arises.
Talked with OOSI today & forsome reason I'm covered with reefer ins. with no inspection requirements!! All I have to do is send a long form copy of my last DOT phy.... One of the joys of age....Wait til they see my BP!!! 124/78!!! Still the same as when I was 40 & working out :harhar: .

[HSLD]

You are right Ken. I do plan to set up the files to US standards for the reasons you stated. However, at this time I'm only planning to stay in Tx. or as you, go on a permit basis into adjoining states as the need arises.
Talked with OOSI today & forsome reason I'm covered with reefer ins. with no inspection requirements!! All I have to do is send a long form copy of my last DOT phy.... One of the joys of age....Wait til they see my BP!!! 124/78!!! Still the same as when I was 40 & working out :harhar: .

And they know it's a '94 model? :wtf:

Even though I told them they couldn't save me any money on insurance if they were going to require inspections on both units every 30 days on the '95 unit & 60 & 90 days on the '97, the lady keeps calling me. After reading this post, I'm thinking I got the "wrong" person on the phone. Thought about calling to see about getting the "right" person on the phone, but I'm sure I'm in thier computer now.

My current insurance company tried pulling that last year. And I told the agent that saving me $$$ on the insurance, but then requiring me to have reefer inspections every thirty days, wasn't REALLY saving me money and was making my reefer guy $$$$. So they backed off. I tried that with OOIDA when they brought that up, but they wouldn't budge. My unit doesn't run that much, so my annual hours on the unit are pretty low.

After this experience with the insurance, and business services, I'm really beginning to wonder what being a member of OOIDA is really doing for me. I mean the first time I try to use their services after being a paying member for a few years, and they came up short, kinda has me thinking that.

Anyway, I'm getting set up with quite a few other companies to haul for. There's so much regional reefer freight in Texas beyond what I knew of, it isn't funny. As soon as I get it all together, we'll get that cup of coffee we keep talking about, or if time keeps us from that, I'll email it to you.

v/r

Ken

[Randg1]

Ken--Yes they know all about the trlr.. They're carrying all the ins. on everything so they have all the info..
Looks like I'll be home on Weds. the 19th.. I'll give you a call Thurs. or Fri..

[HSLD]

Ken--Yes they know all about the trlr.. They're carrying all the ins. on everything so they have all the info..
Looks like I'll be home on Weds. the 19th.. I'll give you a call Thurs. or Fri..

Maybe I'll let the dust settle and call them again in a couple of months before my policy runs out where I'm at. You wouldn't happened to have written down or remember who it was you talked to, would you? Each time I renewed my policy it's gone down, but I'd like to see how much better of a rate I can get this time. I've been wearing my agent out this past couple of week sending certificates out.

I'll be gone come Weds and won't be back until sometime this next weekend. I'm loading for S. TX Weds morning and doing a local that afternoon with the other trailer.

v/r

Ken