How to Get Freight Broker Authority in the US: Step by Step (2026)
Eight steps, about three weeks, and one $75,000 requirement that stops most people. Below is the exact sequence — and if you would rather not do it yourself, TruckerNavi Inc runs the whole thing for a flat $499, in Russian if that is your language.
Freight broker working load boards and lane maps — a logistics business run without owning a truck.
The eight steps
1
Register the company and get an EIN. An LLC or corporation and an IRS EIN come first — the FMCSA application asks for both. If you do not have a company yet, this is part of the package.
2
Create a Login.gov account and verify identity. Since FMCSA moved registration to the Motus system on May 14, 2026, every applicant passes Login.gov identity verification. This is the step where most self-filers stall.
3
File the OP-1 broker application in Motus. Choose broker authority for property, enter the company details exactly as they appear in state records, and pay the $300 FMCSA filing fee.
4
Designate process agents with BOC-3. A blanket BOC-3 covers all states. Without it your authority stays pending regardless of everything else.
5
Secure the $75,000 financial guarantee. Either a BMC-84 surety bond, commonly starting around $1,000 per year depending on credit, or a BMC-85 trust with the full $75,000 deposited. The provider files it with FMCSA directly.
6
Wait out the protest window. FMCSA publishes the application with a 10-day protest window. Protests against new brokers are rare.
7
Authority granted, around day 21. Once the BOC-3 and the financial responsibility filing are both on record and no protest was filed, authority is typically granted about three weeks after submission.
8
Set up to actually operate. Carrier packet, contracts, load board access and a factoring or quick-pay plan. Getting the authority is the paperwork; getting paid is the business.
The $75,000 requirement: BMC-84 or BMC-85
BMC-84 surety bond
from ~$1,000/year
A surety company guarantees the $75,000 for you; you pay an annual premium that depends on your credit profile. Your capital stays in the business. This is what most new brokers choose.
BMC-85 trust fund
$75,000 deposited
You place the full amount in a trust. The money is still yours, but it is frozen and cannot be used as working capital.
Whichever route you take, the provider files the form with FMCSA directly — the authority does not go active until that filing is on record.
Or we do all eight steps for you
$499
Broker MC Authority through Motus, Login.gov verification, BOC-3 included, BMC-84 quotes gathered from several surety providers, LLC and EIN if you need them, and support until your authority shows active. The $300 FMCSA fee is paid to the government on top.
The entire process runs in Russian if that is easier for you
This is what most filing services cannot offer. Every call, every document and every FMCSA form is explained to you in Russian, by people who went through the same paperwork themselves. You are never left decoding a federal form in a second language while your money and your start date are on the line.
Calls, WhatsApp and email in Russian, English or Ukrainian — your choice
Login.gov and FMCSA Motus identity verification walked through screen by screen
Documents reviewed before submission, so a typo does not cost you three weeks
Available 7 days a week, including Saturday and Sunday
Serving Russian-speaking owner-operators in New York, New Jersey and Florida since 2019
Русскоязычным клиентам: всё оформление ведём на русском — от Login.gov до активной authority. Звоните (315) 871-0833 или пишите в WhatsApp.
What we are — and what we are not
We are
✅ TruckerNavi Inc — a New Jersey company operating since 2019
✅ A filing and compliance service: we prepare and submit your FMCSA paperwork
✅ A flat-fee provider — the price is published on this page
✅ Reachable by phone, WhatsApp and email, 7 days a week
We are not
❌ Not a law firm — we do not provide legal representation
❌ Not a licensed insurance agency — insurance is placed through licensed partners
❌ Not the FMCSA — government fees are paid to the government, not to us
❌ We do not promise approval: FMCSA decides, we make sure the filing is correct
Before any payment you get a written scope of work listing exactly what is filed, what the government fees are, and what happens if the application is rejected. Ask for it — it is standard here, not an exception.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get freight broker authority in the United States?
Register a legal entity and get an EIN, create a Login.gov account, file the OP-1 broker application through the FMCSA Motus system and pay the $300 fee, designate process agents with a BOC-3, and secure a $75,000 financial guarantee — either a BMC-84 surety bond or a BMC-85 trust fund. Authority is typically granted about 21 days after filing, following a 10-day protest window.
How much does it cost in total?
The FMCSA filing fee is $300. A BMC-84 surety bond commonly starts around $1,000 per year depending on your credit profile, while a BMC-85 trust requires depositing the full $75,000. TruckerNavi handles the entire setup for a flat $499 on top of the government fee.
What is the difference between BMC-84 and BMC-85?
BMC-84 is a surety bond: a surety company guarantees the $75,000 on your behalf and you pay an annual premium. BMC-85 is a trust fund: you deposit the full $75,000 yourself and the money sits frozen. Most new brokers choose BMC-84 because the capital stays in the business.
Do I need a truck or a CDL to be a freight broker?
No. A freight broker arranges transportation rather than performing it, so no truck and no CDL are required. This is why brokerage is a common next step for dispatchers and for owner-operators who want to stop driving.
Can the whole process be done in Russian?
Yes. Every step — Login.gov verification, the Motus application, bond paperwork and BOC-3 — is explained and handled in Russian, English or Ukrainian. For Russian-speaking clients this is usually the deciding factor, because the identity verification and bond underwriting steps are where language becomes expensive.
What happens during the protest period?
FMCSA publishes your application and allows a 10-day window for third parties to file a protest. Protests are uncommon for new brokers. If none is filed, the application moves forward and authority is typically granted about 21 days after submission.
Why does my broker authority still show as pending?
Broker authority does not go active until both the BOC-3 designation and the $75,000 financial responsibility filing are on record with FMCSA. A pending status almost always means one of those two is missing or was filed with mismatched company details.
Can you do it if I already started the application myself?
Yes, and it is common. We pick up applications stuck at Login.gov verification, at a rejected OP-1, or at a bond that was never filed. Send us your MC or USDOT number and we will tell you exactly what is missing before you pay anything.
We open freight brokerage companies end to end for $499 — Motus, BOC-3, bond quotes and support until your authority is active. Russian-speaking team, available 7 days a week.
TruckerNavi Inc — FMCSA compliance services for owner-operators and new carriers. Serving New York, New Jersey and Florida since 2019.
We speak Russian, English and Ukrainian.
TruckerNavi Inc is a filing and compliance service company. We are not a law firm and not a licensed insurance agency; insurance is placed through licensed partners.
