Frequently asked questions

IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) is a cooperative agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces that simplifies fuel tax reporting for interstate motor carriers. If you operate a qualified motor vehicle (vehicle with two axles and a gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds, or three or more axles regardless of weight) across multiple jurisdictions, you need an IFTA license and must file quarterly fuel tax reports. Learn more about our IFTA filing services.

IFTA quarterly reports are due on the last day of the month following the end of each quarter: Q1 (January - March): Due April 30; Q2 (April - June): Due July 31; Q3 (July - September): Due October 31; Q4 (October - December): Due January 31. Late filings can result in penalties and interest charges.

IFTA requires you to maintain detailed records for at least four years, including: Fuel purchase records (receipts showing date, location, gallons, fuel type, seller); Distance records (trip sheets, GPS logs, ELD data); Vehicle information and identification; Trip origin and destination; Route traveled; Beginning and ending odometer/hubodometer readings; Total miles traveled per jurisdiction.

With proper documentation (fuel receipts, mileage logs), IFTA filing typically takes 1-2 business days when working with Consultran. The key is maintaining accurate quarterly records. We recommend using our services to ensure accurate calculations and timely filing to avoid penalties.

IRP (International Registration Plan) is a registration reciprocity agreement for commercial vehicles operating in more than one jurisdiction. Instead of registering your vehicle in each state you operate, IRP allows you to register once in your base jurisdiction and receive apportioned plates. Registration fees are distributed among the jurisdictions based on the percentage of miles you travel in each. See our IRP registration page for detailed information.

IRP registration costs vary based on several factors including vehicle weight, jurisdictions traveled, and mileage distribution. Base fees in Minnesota start around $200-300 per vehicle, but total costs depend on your specific operation. Contact Consultran at (651) 482-1124 for a detailed quote based on your fleet.

Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax) is due annually by August 31st for vehicles placed in service during July. For vehicles first used after July, the return is due by the last day of the month following the month of first use. Form 2290 is required for highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Vehicles traveling 5,000 miles or less (7,500 miles for agricultural vehicles) may be eligible for a tax suspension.

Missing the Form 2290 deadline results in penalties and interest charges from the IRS. Additionally, you cannot renew your vehicle registration without a stamped Schedule 1 (proof of payment). Consultran can help you file late returns and minimize penalties.

A DOT number is a unique identifier assigned by the FMCSA to companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce. An MC (Motor Carrier) number is operating authority that permits a company to operate as a for-hire carrier transporting regulated commodities. Private carriers only need a DOT number, while for-hire carriers need both DOT and MC numbers.

Basic costs for obtaining DOT authority include: FMCSA filing fee: $300; BOC-3 process agent designation: $50-150; UCR registration (2026): $46-$44,836 (based on fleet size; brokers/forwarders/leasing companies pay $46); Insurance requirements: Minimum $750,000 for general freight; State-specific authority fees (varies by state). Consultran can help you navigate these requirements and ensure proper filing.

The FMCSA typically processes DOT/MC authority applications within 10-15 business days. However, you must wait an additional 18-20 days before your authority becomes active (to allow time for protests). Total timeline is approximately 4-6 weeks from application to active authority.

A consortium (formally a consortium/third-party administrator, or C/TPA) pools CDL drivers from many companies into one random testing pool. It administers the FMCSA-required program on their behalf: random selections, test scheduling, Medical Review Officer result verification, Clearinghouse queries and reporting, and audit-ready recordkeeping. Consultran runs a DOT consortium for fleets and owner-operators.

Yes. If you operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that requires a CDL, you must comply with FMCSA drug and alcohol testing regulations. This includes pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing. Consultran runs a DOT drug testing consortium for owner-operators and small fleets, so you stay compliant.

Because FMCSA requires random selections to come from a pool of two or more covered drivers (49 CFR 382.103(b)). An owner-operator who employs only themselves can't run a compliant random program alone. Joining a consortium pool is the only way to satisfy the requirement. Enrollment with Consultran takes one phone call.

The FMCSA requires annual random drug testing at a minimum rate of 50% of the average number of driver positions, and random alcohol testing at 10%. Tests must be truly random and spread throughout the year.

Less than most carriers expect. A single owner-operator pays a small annual enrollment fee. Per-driver pricing steps down as fleet size grows. Tell us how many CDL drivers you have and Consultran will give you a clear, no-obligation quote the same day — call (651) 482-1124.

Yes. Every employer of CDL drivers must register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse — including owner-operators who employ themselves. You must run a full query before a new driver's first safety-sensitive work. You must also query every driver at least annually. Consultran walks you through registration and handles consents, queries, and reporting as part of consortium enrollment.

A full Clearinghouse query releases a driver's actual record and requires the driver's specific consent. It's mandatory before pre-employment. A limited query only tells you whether any information exists. It can satisfy the annual query requirement. But if it comes back with a hit, you have 24 hours to run a full query — or remove the driver from safety-sensitive duty.

A positive test or a refusal removes the driver from safety-sensitive duty immediately. The violation goes into the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Returning to driving requires the DOT return-to-duty process. That means a Substance Abuse Professional evaluation, the prescribed education or treatment, a negative return-to-duty test, and at least six unannounced follow-up tests in the first 12 months back.

Yes, with narrow exceptions. FMCSA's testing rules apply to anyone required to hold a CDL — including drivers who operate only within Minnesota. A few operations exempt from CDL requirements (certain farm vehicles, emergency services, and active-duty military) fall outside the rules. If your vehicles are big enough to require a CDL and no exemption applies, your drivers belong in a compliant testing program. Crossing state lines doesn't matter.

Absolutely. If you already use a clinic for collections, keep it — we don't make you switch. If you don't have one, we'll point you to a site nearby. We enroll carriers nationwide; collections happen at a clinic near you.

Non-DOT workplace testing is available only to companies enrolled in our DOT consortium. We're a compliance firm, not a collection clinic — we don't offer individual, court-ordered, or walk-in testing.

UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is an annual registration required for motor carriers, motor private carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies that operate in interstate commerce. For 2026, registration fees range from $46 (0-2 vehicles; also the amount brokers, forwarders, and leasing companies pay) up to $44,836 (1,001+ vehicles). UCR registration must be renewed annually.

Registration for the upcoming year opens October 1 and must be paid by December 31. The registration year runs January 1 through December 31, and enforcement begins January 1. Operating in interstate commerce without current UCR can mean citations and out-of-service orders at roadside.

Starting a trucking company requires several key steps: 1) Form a legal business entity (LLC, Corporation, etc.); 2) Obtain a DOT number and MC authority (if for-hire); 3) File BOC-3 process agent designation; 4) Secure proper insurance coverage; 5) Register for UCR; 6) Obtain IFTA and IRP credentials; 7) Implement a DOT drug testing program; 8) Ensure driver qualifications and vehicle inspections are compliant. Consultran can guide you through each step and handle the regulatory paperwork. Call us at (651) 482-1124 to get started.

Yes! While we are based in Roseville, Minnesota, we assist motor carriers nationwide with federal compliance requirements including IFTA, IRP, Form 2290, DOT authority, UCR, and drug testing. We can handle state-specific requirements for Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and other states throughout the country.