Authority age is the number one reason new carriers get turned down. The good news: it fixes itself. The table below shows when each broker opens up, so you can apply in order instead of collecting rejections.
No minimum authority age
You can apply the day your authority is active, if you meet their insurance and safety rules.
- Total Quality Logistics (TQL) · $1M auto · $100K cargo
- RXO · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Uber Freight · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
Up to 30 days
A few weeks after your authority goes active.
- C.H. Robinson · 7 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- ArcBest · 30 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
31 to 90 days
The most common rule of thumb for new authorities.
- J.B. Hunt (ICS / Carrier 360) · 90 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Knight-Swift Logistics · 90 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Werner Logistics · 60 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo
- Armstrong Transport Group · 90 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo
- MoLo Solutions (ArcBest) · 90 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
91 to 180 days
Plan on about six months.
- Evans Delivery · 180 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Becker Logistics · 180 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
More than 180 days
Usually a year. Build history with other brokers first.
- Echo Global Logistics · 360 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Arrive Logistics · 365 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Schneider Logistics · 270 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- MODE Global · 365 days · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
Not published
These brokers don't publish an authority-age rule. Ask their carrier team, or tell us what happened when you applied.
- Landstar
- Nolan Transportation Group (NTG) · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- GlobalTranz (WWEX) · $1M auto · $100K cargo
- Loadsmart · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Ascent Global Logistics · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Covenant Transport Solutions · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
- Ryan Transportation · $1M auto · $100K cargo · Satisfactory/Unrated
Beyond authority age
Insurance is the second big filter: most of these brokers want $1M auto liability even though the federal minimum is $750K. Read why brokers ask for $1M and what new authorities pay for insurance. Then get your carrier packet ready.
Questions carriers ask
Why do brokers require 90 days of authority?
Authority age is a quick fraud and risk filter. Double brokering and identity theft cluster in brand-new authorities, and many brokers' own insurers ask for it. After the Supreme Court's May 2026 Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling, brokers can be sued for negligently selecting a carrier, so many tightened vetting.
How do I get loads with a brand-new MC?
Start with brokers that have no published minimum (listed above), and make sure your insurance meets their limits, usually $1M auto liability and $100K cargo. Load boards, shipper-direct freight, smaller regional brokers and factoring companies' broker credit checks also help while your authority ages.
When does the authority-age clock start?
Usually on the date FMCSA granted your operating authority. If your authority was revoked and later reinstated, some brokers count from the reinstatement date instead.
Is a new authority automatically Unrated?
Yes. New carriers don't have an FMCSA safety rating until a compliance review. Most brokers accept Unrated; a Conditional rating is what gets you rejected at many large brokers.
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Get the exact day each broker opens up for you.
Enter your USDOT or MC. We read your grant date from FMCSA and count down to every broker's rule, then email you when each one opens (optional).