No MC or DOT authority needed
You run under the dispatch-fm authority from day one. No filing, no waiting on FMCSA, no reinstatement headache.
No MC? No problem
Own a truck but no MC authority? Run under ours.
Getting your own MC authority means FMCSA filings, a BOC-3, and commercial insurance before you turn a wheel — thousands of dollars and weeks of waiting. Leasing onto an established carrier skips all of it. You keep your truck, you stay your own boss, and you run under our operating authority instead of your own.
What you get
What the lease covers
Because your freight moves under the dispatch-fm authority, we are the carrier of record on every load you run. That is what lets us put loads in front of you from day one, without you holding any authority of your own.
Insurance and factoring covered
Commercial liability and cargo coverage, plus your factoring fee — both sit inside the 15% rather than coming off your settlement.
Loads waiting on day one
You get the same dispatch team, the same warehouse network and the same 24/7 support as every other carrier with us.
Pricing
Two fees, both quoted up front
15% of gross
Authority, insurance & factoring
+ from 5%
Dispatch, by truck type & fleet size
From 20% of gross, all in — quoted in full before you haul anything.
Dispatch is billed separately, starting at 5% of gross and set by your equipment type and how many trucks you run. Physical damage on your own truck, fuel and maintenance stay with you. Invoicing runs through our factoring. A written lease agreement is required, and we quote both rates in full before you haul anything.
Compare
Lease-on vs. your own authority
Neither is better in the abstract. It depends on your capital, your volume, and how soon you need to be earning.
| Lease onto our MC | Your own authority | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None — no filing fees, no insurance deposit | Typically $3,000–$10,000 for filings and insurance down payment |
| Time to first load | 24–48 hours after paperwork | 4–8 weeks for FMCSA authority to activate |
| Liability & cargo insurance | Included in the 15% | You buy and maintain your own policy |
| Factoring | Included in the 15% | You arrange it, typically 1.5–3% of gross |
| Total fee on gross | From 20% (15% lease + dispatch from 5%) | From 5% dispatch, plus your own insurance and factoring costs |
| Compliance & filings | We handle them | You are responsible for IFTA, UCR, audits and renewals |
| Best for | Starting out, rebuilding after an authority issue, or testing the market | Established operators with capital and steady volume |
Getting started
What we need from you
- Driver's licence or CDL, depending on your equipment
- Truck registration or title
- Physical damage insurance on your own truck
- Completed W-9
- Signed lease agreement, which we send once we have the rest
Most drivers are moving within 24 to 48 hours of the paperwork being complete. Call (516) 454-1107 and we will confirm exactly what applies to your equipment.
FAQ
Lease-on questions
What does leasing onto your MC authority actually mean?
You keep ownership of your truck and stay an independent contractor, but your freight moves under the dispatch-fm operating authority instead of your own. We become the carrier of record on every load, which means we carry the compliance obligations, the liability and cargo insurance, and the FMCSA filings. You drive and get paid.
Do I need my own MC or DOT number?
No. That is the whole point of the programme. You do not file for authority, you do not wait on FMCSA, and you do not buy your own commercial liability or cargo policy. Drivers whose authority was revoked or who are mid-reinstatement can also run this way while they sort it out.
What does the 15% cover?
Three things: use of the dispatch-fm operating authority, the commercial liability and cargo insurance required to run under it, and your factoring fee. Those normally sit as three separate bills — here they are one number taken off the gross.
Is dispatch included in the 15%?
No, and we would rather say so plainly than surprise you at settlement. Dispatch is billed on top, starting at 5% of gross and set by your equipment type and how many trucks you run. So the realistic all-in figure is from 20% of gross. Both numbers are quoted to you in writing before you haul anything.
What am I still responsible for?
Physical damage coverage on your own truck, fuel, maintenance, and any occupational accident or health coverage you want for yourself. Invoicing runs through our factoring arrangement. A written lease agreement has to be signed before dispatch begins.
Can I switch to my own authority later?
Yes, and plenty of drivers do exactly that. Once your own authority is active you drop the 15% entirely and pay only the dispatch rate, from 5%. There is no penalty for leaving and no long-term commitment holding you in the lease.
Am I an employee of dispatch-fm?
No. You remain an independent contractor and the owner of your truck. The lease governs the use of our authority for your freight — it does not make you an employee, and it does not give us ownership of your equipment.
How quickly can I start running?
Most drivers are moving within 24 to 48 hours of the paperwork being complete. There is no waiting on FMCSA, because the authority already exists.
Already hold your own MC authority? See our dispatch-only pricing.
Get Started
Ready to get more loads?
Fill out the form and our dispatch team will reach out within 24 hours to discuss your trucking needs and find the best plan for you.
- No commitment required
- Free consultation call
- Custom quotes for fleets