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We speak English, Russian & Ukrainian | 📞 (315) 871-0833 | 💬 WhatsApp | truckernavi.com
~26,216
active freight brokerages in the US (August 2025) — the market is growing again after the shakeout
+25%
spot rates year-over-year (April 2026) — broker margins are coming back
$75,000
required BMC-84 bond — you pay only the annual premium, not the full amount

Service: Turnkey Broker Setup

We handle all the FMCSA paperwork for you — from LLC to ACTIVE status. Start with a $149 deposit.

Broker Authority — $499 Package

+ $300 FMCSA filing fee (paid to the government) · BMC-84 bond premium paid to the surety provider
$499
flat fee for the full setup
Broker MC Authority
FMCSA Motus registration
Login.gov identity verification
BMC-84 — bond shopping across providers
BOC-3 filing — free
LLC + EIN (if needed)
L&I status monitoring
Full support until ACTIVE
See What's Included →

Tools

Budget your launch before you commit — no surprises in month one.

🧮 Broker Startup Cost Calculator

A first-year budget based on your inputs: FMCSA fees ($300 MC + BOC-3), your BMC-84 bond premium by credit tier, load boards (DAT $159–499/mo, Truckstop $109–369/mo), TMS, broker insurance (contingent cargo, general liability, E&O), and cash flow for your first loads. A typical first-year all-in is $8,000–15,000.

Open the Calculator →

Broker Guides & Articles

Live, fact-checked material — from your Motus filing to surviving the protest period.

How to Start a Freight Brokerage in the USA — Complete 2026 Guide

Step-by-step 2026 path: LLC, Motus filing, protest period, the $75,000 BMC-84 bond, BOC-3 — to an active broker authority in 1–3 weeks. Full cost breakdown and broker economics.

Guide7 min read
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FMCSA Motus Explained (2026): The New Registration System

Motus replaced URS and the FMCSA Portal on May 14, 2026. Login.gov, identity verification with a face scan, claiming authority for ~800,000 existing registrants, and filing for broker authority.

Explainer7 min read
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FMCSA Broker Authority Protest Period 2026

What happens between your MC filing and ACTIVE status: how the protest period works, the $75,000 surety requirement, BMC-84 vs BMC-85, and what can delay your authority.

ExplainerDeep dive
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Ready to Launch? Turnkey Broker Setup for $499

Motus, MC Broker Authority, BMC-84 bond shopping, free BOC-3, and full support until ACTIVE. Start with a $149 deposit — typical timeline is 1–3 weeks.

TruckerNavi Service
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Freight Broker FAQ

How much does it cost to start a freight brokerage in the USA?

TruckerNavi's turnkey broker setup is $499 (start with a $149 deposit), with BOC-3 filing included free. Paid separately: the $300 FMCSA filing fee for MC Authority and the annual BMC-84 bond premium paid to the provider (~$938–2,500/year with normal credit). A realistic first-year all-in budget with load boards, TMS, and broker insurance is usually $8,000–15,000.

How long does it take to get broker authority?

We file through FMCSA Motus within 1–2 business days and the MC number is assigned after filing. Then comes the FMCSA protest period, followed by BMC-84 and BOC-3 filings — authority typically becomes ACTIVE within 1–3 weeks. Already have a DOT number and only need the bond? A BMC-84 can be issued in 24–48 hours.

What is the BMC-84 bond and how much does it cost?

FMCSA requires every freight broker to carry $75,000 in financial security (MAP-21 rule, in effect since October 1, 2013). BMC-84 is a surety bond: instead of depositing the full $75,000 (the BMC-85 trust fund option), you pay an annual premium of 1.25%–10% of the amount: ~$938–2,500/year with normal credit, $4,500–7,500 with bad credit (below 620). Renewal is annual with re-underwriting — after 1–2 claim-free years the rate drops. Important: since January 16, 2026, the immediate suspension rule applies — if available security falls below $75,000 due to valid claims and is not replenished within 7 calendar days, FMCSA suspends the authority.

What is FMCSA Motus and how is it different from URS?

Motus is FMCSA's new unified registration system, launched on May 14, 2026. It replaced URS and the FMCSA Portal. Filing requires a Login.gov account and identity verification: a government-issued ID plus a face scan. About 800,000 existing registrants must separately claim their authority in the new system. We walk clients through every step.

Does a broker need Clearinghouse or a Drug & Alcohol program?

No. A broker with no CDL drivers does not need the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, a D&A testing program, ELDs, or primary truck liability insurance. That is exactly why launching a brokerage is simpler and cheaper than launching a trucking company with trucks and drivers.

Ready to Become a Broker?

We'll walk you through the whole process in a free 10-minute call — in English or Russian.

💬 WhatsApp 📞 (315) 871-0833