How to start a flatbed trucking business

Starting a flatbed truck business takes the same paperwork as any trucking company, plus a trailer, a securement kit and the know-how to use them. This guide puts the steps in order with the official links, then covers the trailer and gear, the costs and what your first 30 days should look like.

Steps in order

1. Form the business. Most owner-operators choose an LLC or a sole proprietorship. Talk to an accountant about which fits you, then get an EIN from the IRS.
2. Register for a USDOT number and MC authority. Interstate for-hire carriers with a vehicle of 10,001 lb or more need a USDOT number (FMCSA) and operating authority. FMCSA moved registration to its new Motus system in May 2026 and now requires identity verification for new registrants (FMCSA Registration). The filing fee is $300 per authority, not refundable (FMCSA filing fees).
3. File a BOC-3. A process agent files this form so you have a legal representative in each state. Many companies do it for a small fee.
4. Get insurance and have it filed. At least $750,000 auto liability for general freight (49 CFR 387.9), plus cargo and physical damage. Most flatbed brokers ask for $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo. Your insurer files proof with FMCSA. Our flatbed insurance guide covers the details.
5. Wait out the protest period and check that your authority shows as active before you haul.
6. Register for UCR at ucr.gov, with the fee based on fleet size.
7. Get IRP plates and an IFTA account through your base state, so you can run in other states and report fuel tax.
8. File IRS Form 2290 for the heavy highway vehicle use tax on trucks with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lb or more (IRS).
9. Set up drug and alcohol testing. Join a testing consortium and register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
10. Set up your files. Driver qualification file, maintenance records and logs. FMCSA runs a new entrant safety audit within a new carrier's first 12 months, and these records are what it checks.

Trailer choice and gear checklist

Flatbed or step deck? A 48 ft flatbed sees the most loads and is the easiest start. A 53 ft flatbed takes longer freight. A step deck takes the taller freight and machinery a flatbed cannot haul legally. Our what is flatbed trucking guide compares the trailers.

Securement gear checklist (quantities are a common starting kit; adjust to your freight):

• 16 to 20 ratchet straps, 4 in, with WLL labels.
• 8 to 10 grade 70 chains, 3/8 in, and matching binders.
• Edge protectors and corner protectors.
• Two lumber tarps (24 x 27 ft, 8 ft drop) and two steel tarps.
• A smoke tarp and plenty of bungees.
• Coil racks, chocks and wood dunnage if you will haul coils or pipe.
• Gloves, a strap winder, a winch bar and a headache rack or toolbox to store it all.

Read the load securement rules before your first load; the tiedown count and working load limit tests decide how much of that kit you use.

Startup costs (EXAMPLE budget)

We do not publish average startup costs because they swing with your truck, credit and state. These are the categories, with the sourced figures we have and EXAMPLE placeholders you should replace with real quotes.

First 30 days

• Week 1: Confirm authority is active, insurance is filed, and your packet (MC, W-9, certificate of insurance) is ready to send. Set up with several flatbed freight brokers.
• Week 2: Book short regional loads you know you can secure well. Photograph every load at pickup and delivery.
• Week 3: Track your real cost per mile and set your minimum rate. Run offers through the rate and profit calculator.
• Week 4: Review which brokers paid well and fast, and focus on them. Keep receipts and logs ready for the new entrant safety audit.

Own authority or lease on first?

If the setup list feels like too much at once, leasing on to a carrier for a while is a valid start. Our guide to flatbed companies for owner-operators shows what to compare. And when the first truck is busy every week, our flatbed fleet dispatch page shows how a second and third truck run on one desk.