I have a question
 

You don't have to buy permits for each state you run in because your motor carrier authority covers every state except the ones that require additional permits?

You are correct. Just as long as you registered your truck to run in all the states.

Do you have to pay a fee for each state or is it covered under the motor carrier authority?

You have to pick each state you want to run in. It's like a menu with all the states and a different price for each one. If you only plan to run the East coast you could pick like MA,NH,RI,VT,ME,NY,CT

To the original poster, the "permits" that you're asking about are IFTA permits?

yes...to as steve said, but if you pick all 48, you need additional, Kentucky, NY, New Mexico, and Oregon permits....i got all but Oregon so even though i have authority to run in Oregon i would have to stop to buy an additional permit.

No, I was just wondering when you got your motor carrier authority if you had to buy a seperate permit for each state to operate in.

Ahhh, 'scuse me then, I thought you were talking about which states to put on your cab card.wa

As far as authorities are concerned, I believe there are special states that are doing a tax grab thing (i.e. I think you need a Texas authority to run intrastate in Texas. I've also heard that you need to register with the staes of NJ if you P/U or del in that state).

There are about 11 states who require you to register in those states and have authority to run intrastate. Two of the big ones are Texas and California. These two are also the most expensive. You don't need intrastate authority in those states unless you pick up and deliver the same load within those states. If you haul over-sized in Texas you will need to have Texas authority. As of January of this year they require either a bond or authority to purchase over-sized permits for that state. If you are only running interstate freight and won't be doing over-sized loads in or through Texas, you don't need to concern yourself with getting intrastate authority in most states. Certain commodities also require additional permits, such as hazardous materials and whiskey, etc., Starting out, I would not worry about those additional permits.

yeah G-man....I found that strange, cuz I have Ca intrastate authority and have to post the ca # on my truck, even though I never have or will haul a load inside Ca
Why get it then you might ask? I was strongly advised by my tax n license people to get it, to be part of the CA bit system, although technically I shouldnt be required to have it.
See if two trucks are at a CA scale......and they want to hassle one, they will let the truck go thats part of the CA bit system, n hassle the one thats not.
Probably an illegal practice, but whata ya want to do, go kick Arnolds butt lol.