California · New carriers
Start Your California Trucking Company: LLC, EIN & DBA Filings
Starting a trucking company in California means getting the order right: LLC, EIN, DBA, USDOT, Motor Carrier Permit and Form 2290. We prepare your California LLC and related filings so your business starts out compliant.
Sound familiar?
Where a New California LLC Trucking Company Gets Stuck
Most new carriers aren’t short on drive. Instead, they get stuck on paperwork that has to happen in a certain order.
Filings in the wrong order
A new carrier needs its business entity, EIN, USDOT number and tax filings to match. For example, a name that doesn’t match across filings can hold up the next step.
A deactivated USDOT number
FMCSA says a missed MCS-150 biennial update will deactivate your USDOT number and may bring civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, up to $10,000.
A new FMCSA login system
FMCSA is moving registration to Motus, which uses Login.gov and identity verification. Consequently, many carriers get stuck before they can even start the filing.
No Schedule 1, no registration
The IRS tells truckers to use the stamped Schedule 1 as proof of payment when registering with the state. So if your truck runs at 55,000 lbs or more, registration stalls without it.
Sources: FMCSA: Updating Your Registration · FMCSA: Move to Motus · IRS Form 2290 instructions
How we fix it
Your California LLC and Carrier Filings in One Place
We line up your business and carrier filings in the right order, so each one matches the next. That way, you can start hauling sooner.
- California LLC and county DBA filings prepared
- Federal EIN application
- USDOT number and Motor Carrier Permit help
- Form 2290 e-filed when your truck goes into service
California LLC, EIN & DBA Filings
The Filings a New California Carrier Needs
A new trucking company needs its business records to match everywhere: the California Secretary of State, the IRS, FMCSA, the DMV and your insurance. Mismatched names and numbers are one of the most common reasons filings and permits get delayed.
Key facts
- California LLC: Articles of Organization filed with the California Secretary of State, followed by a Statement of Information.
- EIN: your federal tax ID from the IRS, needed for your USDOT number, Form 2290 and your bank account.
- DBA: a Fictitious Business Name statement filed with your county clerk (for example, Riverside County), usually followed by newspaper publication.
- Ongoing: Statements of Information every two years and California’s annual LLC franchise tax.
Then We Get You Road-Ready
- USDOT number and MCS-150
- California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP)
- Commercial DMV registration
- Form 2290 e-filing and Schedule 1
- CARB Clean Truck Check ($110, mobile, no trip fee)
- EPN enrollment for your drivers
Pricing
Flat preparation fees per filing. State and county filing fees are paid to the agency. We’re a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and don’t give legal or tax advice.
California Business Filings FAQ
What do I need to start a trucking company in California?
Usually a California LLC, an EIN from the IRS, a USDOT number, and a California Motor Carrier Permit if you operate commercial vehicles in California. Trucks 55,000 lbs and over also need a Form 2290 filing.
Do I need a DBA?
Only if you’ll do business under a name that’s different from your LLC’s legal name. In California it’s a Fictitious Business Name statement filed with your county clerk, and it generally must be published in a local newspaper.
Are there ongoing California LLC requirements?
Yes. California LLCs file a Statement of Information shortly after forming and then every two years, and most LLCs owe California’s annual minimum franchise tax. We’ll walk you through the dates.
Are you attorneys?
No. We prepare and file documents. For legal or tax advice about how to structure your business, talk to an attorney or CPA.