So it turns out that the "authority" MC# dept. seems to have a deal with telemarketers from:
1.Factoring Co's
2.Drug testers
3.Load boards
4.Dispatch services
I have been blasted by these guys, probably 8 to 10 calls a day, for the last week.
Well, anyway,
I'm headed to Tallahassee on Monday to get my base plates, and jump through their fiery hoops of BS.
For those of you planning this in Florida, I'll post the results, and if the process is as simple as DMV claims.

Have you checked into any of the services down here (you're in south florida too no?) about getting the baseplates? I was told by one that they would do it overnight obviously for a fee. What about all your other permits are you doing that on your own?

good luck in Tallahassee.

Merrick,
As I stumble through this process, I am trying to get things done,
So far I have done everything myself with the execption of my BOC3, and I don't even know what the hell that does, but OOIDA said they would file it for me.
After I get my base plates, I'll probably find something I forgot,....or it will happen as I'm staring directly at the person at the DMV. You know the look,...its the "I called you on the phone 3 days ago, and you said all I need is what I brought,....now you want a DNA test also?"
I fully expect to have this happen, but there are some trailers up that way I want to look at, so maybe I can save the trip if I spend more money,....LOL!!

Doghouse, the BOC-3 is the form you need to file for your registered agents. Carriers are required to have a registered agent in every state in which they do business. A registered agent can accept service should you get sued in a particular state. OOIDA can take care of that for you at no charge if you are a member. There are also services around that can do it for a fee.

Thanks Gman, I'll have OOIDA cover that one. I'll get the hang of this eventually,....its so different from driving while a big company holds your hand, but then again there's a lot of good and bad with that.

You are welcome, Doghouse. Each aspect of this industry has it's pro's and con's. You just need to find the one which best meets your needs.

What a time consuming process.
I live in St Petersburg, so I had to make the 600 mile round trip to get my base plates. All went smooth,..here is what you need if your in Florida.
1.You will have to:
a.wait 4 to 6 weeks for delivery of your plates if you do it at your local DMV.
b.Go to Tallahassee yourself and wait in the lines.
c.Pay a carrier services person to do it for you and overnight the plate to you. (the one in Tally that is in the same shopping center at the DMV commercial services building is called Carrier Services of Florida, his name is Johnathan Rabon 850-942-7323)
I'm telling you about this guy because he was very helpful and had I known about him, I would have had him do it for me, but I accidentally went into his place (same color business sign as the DMV one) also the location has changed for the commercial division of the DMV. It is located in a shopping center at the corner of Capitol Circle, and Appalacee. It is next to a Big Lots, Quiznos, in the same center. The guy who's office I went into is on the North side of the parking lot with the same large blue sign as the DMV.
OK that's how you get there,...here's how the process went.
1.Go in take a number
2.Wait to be called
3.You will need to show them your:
a.2290 with a paid stamp on it.
b.valid CDL with your address on it.
c.Utility bills showing the same address as your CDL.
d.Insurance info
e.If your truck has sat for any time not being used or registered you have to fill out a non-use affidavit.
f.Articles of incorporation if you are an Inc.
g.Smile,.. laugh at their jokes and then go get a certified bank check or cash because for your first 2 years they won't accept anything else.
Its as easy as that,..now I don't know what the guy I ran into at the Carrier Services of Florida would have charged me, but he said it would have been less than the gas money I used to get there and back to St Pete.
Also he was very knowledgeable and hooked me up with papers I did not have with me.
There you go, I went home threw the plate on the truck and took it out for the first time since I bought it 10 months ago.
All in all it ran really good and the numbers are like this.
1. Top speed 72mph@ 1800rpm
2. 62mph@1500rpm
3. 55mph@1450rpm
It took me a good hour in the city before I was able to shift it without destroying the tranny. And the best news is that with all the stuff I added, the truck weighs in at 20,680lbs, I thought it would be closer to 23,500lbs. This little tidbit allows me to get a 9,000lb trailer, and be able to scale 50,320lbs. I wanted to be around 49,000lbs, and I made it under the wire on that one.

I forgot to add the IFTA stickers $4.00 add the registration and the price,........$1,286. :roll: it better be worth it.

It seems to me that the very first thing you should have done is taken care of the medical and drug. Those are the lowest cost hurdles that will stop your trucking company "dead in its tracks." Imagine, if you will, what would happen if you fail either of the two? Insurance, registration, base plates, authority, flushshshshshhssh swirl swirl down the toilet.

I'm not worried about the drug or medical aspect. I've been adventure racing for 15 years, don't drink often at all,don't smoke, and don't take anything stronger than ibuprofen.
I've seen some of the guys who can pass a DOT physical and a drug test,,,. I'm confident that I can pass those hurdles,but thanks for the advice, everything helps.