Support: 212-540-5236

About Dakota Group

Nationwide Trucking Compliance. Real Industry Experience. One Dedicated Compliance Partner.

Dakota Group is a nationwide trucking compliance and regulatory services company helping owner-operators, motor carriers, trucking companies, fleets, brokers, and transportation businesses navigate the regulatory requirements of operating in the U.S. transportation industry. Our team provides support with DOT and FMCSA registration, operating authority, MCS-150 filings and updates, MOTUS registration, BOC-3, Unified Carrier Registration, drug and alcohol compliance, FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements, permits, IFTA, IRP, DOT audit preparation, safety and registration updates, and ongoing federal and state compliance requirements. We work with transportation businesses throughout the United States, from individual owner-operators and newly established carriers to growing and established fleets. Our goal is simple: help trucking companies stay informed, navigate their compliance responsibilities, and keep their businesses moving.

Dakota Group is a private, third-party compliance services company. We are not the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA, or another government agency and are not affiliated with or endorsed by those agencies.

Who Is Dakota Group?

Dakota Group is a U.S.-based trucking compliance company focused on helping transportation businesses understand and manage the regulatory responsibilities associated with operating commercial vehicles. Our clients include owner-operators, new trucking companies, established motor carriers, growing fleets, freight brokers, freight forwarders, private carriers, and other transportation businesses. Trucking companies interact with federal and state regulatory requirements throughout the life of their business.

A carrier may need assistance when starting operations, establishing authority, updating company information, adding drivers or vehicles, maintaining registrations, filing annual renewals, responding to notices, preparing for audits, or expanding into new states. Dakota Group was built to help make those responsibilities easier to understand and easier to manage. We combine technology, regulatory research, operational processes, and direct human support to help carriers navigate their compliance obligations.

Dakota Group at a Glance

  • Company:

    Dakota Group

  • Industry:

    Trucking Compliance and Transportation Regulatory Services

  • Service Area:

    Nationwide, United States

  • Who We Serve:

    Owner-operators, motor carriers, fleets, brokers, freight forwarders, private carriers, and transportation businesses

  • Core Services:

    DOT registration, FMCSA compliance, MCS-150, MOTUS, operating authority, BOC-3, UCR, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse support, permits, IFTA, IRP, audit preparation, and ongoing motor-carrier compliance

  • Support Model:

    U.S.-based compliance support

  • Company Type:

    Private third-party compliance services company

  • Government Affiliation:

    None

Trucking Compliance Support Throughout the Carrier Lifecycle

A trucking company’s compliance responsibilities can change as the business starts, grows, adds drivers, adds vehicles, crosses additional state lines, or expands into new services. Dakota Group provides compliance support across multiple stages of a transportation business.

Starting a New Trucking Company

Starting a trucking company involves more than purchasing a truck and finding freight. Depending on the operation, a new carrier may need to address federal registration, operating authority, insurance filings, BOC-3, UCR, drug and alcohol requirements, FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, driver qualification files, vehicle records, permits, state registrations, and ongoing compliance obligations. Dakota Group helps new carriers organize the process and understand which requirements may apply to their operation.

We Help New Carriers Navigate:

  • USDOT registration
  • FMCSA registration
  • Operating authority
  • MC authority
  • MCS-150
  • MOTUS
  • BOC-3
  • UCR
  • Insurance filing requirements
  • Drug and alcohol testing requirements
  • FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements
  • Driver Qualification Files
  • New Entrant compliance
  • State registrations
  • Permits
  • Ongoing DOT compliance

Typical Compliance Journey

Business Setup

→

USDOT
Registration

→

Operating
Authority

→

Insurance

→

BOC-3

→

UCR

→

MCS-150

→

MOTUS

→

Drug & Alcohol Program

→

Clearinghouse

→

Driver
Compliance

→

Ongoing
Compliance

Not every requirement applies to every business. Dakota Group helps carriers understand which registrations and compliance requirements may apply based on how they operate. Our objective is not simply to complete one form. Our objective is to help carriers establish a compliance foundation that can support the business as it grows.

DOT & FMCSA Registration Support

Federal registration is one of the foundations of operating a regulated motor carrier.
Dakota Group assists transportation businesses with DOT and FMCSA registration processes, carrier information, operating authority, and required updates.

Services May Include:

  • USDOT registration
  • FMCSA registration
  • Operating authority
  • MC authority
  • Carrier registration updates
  • MCS-150 filings
  • Company information updates
  • SAFER-related information
  • New Entrant requirements
  • Federal carrier record support
We help carriers navigate the appropriate filing and registration processes while understanding the information being submitted.

MCS-150 Filing & Update Assistance

Motor carriers are responsible for keeping important information associated with their USDOT registration accurate and current.
Dakota Group assists carriers with MCS-150 filings, biennial updates, and other situations where carrier information may need to be reviewed or updated.

Information Commonly Reviewed During an MCS-150 Update Includes:

  • Legal business name
  • DBA information
  • Business address
  • Mailing address
  • Contact information
  • Operation classification
  • Cargo classification
  • Number of power units
  • Number of drivers
  • Mileage
  • Operational information
Our compliance specialists help carriers understand the filing process, review relevant information, and prepare the appropriate update.

MOTUS Registration & Support

FMCSA registration systems and carrier registration requirements continue to evolve. Dakota Group provides third-party assistance related to MOTUS registration and other applicable FMCSA registration processes. Our team helps carriers understand what information may be required, navigate the registration process, and identify carrier information that may need to be reviewed or updated. Because FMCSA systems and implementation requirements may change, Dakota Group regularly reviews current federal guidance when supporting carriers with MOTUS-related services.

Unified Carrier Registration Support

Unified Carrier Registration is an annual requirement that may apply to motor carriers and certain other transportation businesses operating in interstate commerce.
Dakota Group helps covered transportation businesses navigate UCR requirements.

UCR Support May Include:

  • Reviewing whether UCR may apply
  • Current-year UCR filings
  • Prior-year filings where applicable
  • Carrier information review
  • Power unit review
  • Filing-year review
  • Annual renewal support
  • Filing deadline guidance
Dakota Group also provides educational resources to help transportation businesses better understand UCR filing requirements and annual registration periods.

Operating Authority & BOC-3 Support

Certain transportation businesses must obtain operating authority in addition to maintaining a USDOT registration.
Dakota Group helps new and existing carriers navigate the federal operating authority process and related requirements.

Services may include assistance with:

  • MC operating authority
  • Federal authority applications
  • BOC-3 process agent filings
  • Insurance filing requirements
  • Authority-related registration steps
  • New carrier compliance requirements

We help carriers understand the steps involved in establishing or maintaining the authority required for their operation.

DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Compliance

Motor carriers operating with CDL drivers subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements have ongoing responsibilities.
Dakota Group provides drug and alcohol compliance support for owner-operators, trucking companies, and fleets.

Services May Include:

  • DOT drug and alcohol testing program support
  • Random testing program administration
  • Consortium support where applicable
  • FMCSA Clearinghouse support
  • Driver testing requirements
  • Program recordkeeping
  • Regulatory education
  • Ongoing compliance support
Our goal is to help carriers understand their responsibilities and maintain a program appropriate for their operation.

FMCSA Clearinghouse Compliance Support

The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is an important part of federal drug and alcohol compliance for covered employers and drivers.
Dakota Group helps transportation businesses navigate applicable Clearinghouse responsibilities.

Support may include:

  • Employer registration guidance
  • Driver-related requirements
  • Query requirements
  • Clearinghouse compliance education
  • Ongoing program support
  • Coordination with drug and alcohol testing programs
Our goal is to help carriers understand their responsibilities and maintain a program appropriate for their operation.

Driver Compliance & Qualification Support

Driver compliance involves more than confirming that a driver holds the appropriate license. Motor carriers may be responsible for maintaining driver records, qualification documentation, testing records, Clearinghouse information, and other required documentation.
Dakota Group helps carriers understand and organize driver-related compliance responsibilities.

Areas of Support May Include:

  • Driver Qualification Files
  • Driver documentation
  • Drug and alcohol compliance
  • Clearinghouse requirements
  • Recordkeeping
  • New driver onboarding requirements
  • Compliance reviews

Compliance Support for Growing Fleets

As a trucking company grows, compliance becomes more complex. More drivers, more vehicles, more states, and more regulatory responsibilities create more opportunities for something to be overlooked. Dakota Group works with growing and established fleets that need support coordinating registrations, filings, driver requirements, deadlines, vehicle information, and other compliance obligations. We can act as an external compliance resource that supplements a carrier’s internal management or compliance team.

DOT Audit & Compliance Review Support

Motor carriers may be subject to New Entrant reviews, DOT audits, safety reviews, or other regulatory inquiries. Dakota Group helps carriers prepare by reviewing applicable records, registrations, driver documentation, and compliance processes.

Audit preparation support may include:

  • Compliance record review
  • Driver file review
  • Drug and alcohol program review
  • Registration review
  • Vehicle-related documentation
  • Policy review
  • Recordkeeping review
  • Identification of potential compliance gaps

Our goal is to help carriers understand their responsibilities and maintain a program appropriate for their operation.

Interstate Registration, Permits, IFTA & IRP Support

Carriers operating across state lines may encounter additional registration, tax, permit, and mileage reporting requirements.

Dakota Group provides support with transportation-related requirements that may include:

  • IFTA
  • IRP
  • State permits
  • Mileage reporting
  • Highway use requirements
  • Form 2290 support where applicable
  • State transportation registrations
  • Interstate operating requirements
Requirements can vary based on vehicle type, weight, operation, jurisdiction, and where a carrier travels. Our team helps carriers identify and navigate applicable requirements.

Compliance Support for Owner-Operators

Owner-operators often have to manage nearly every part of their trucking business themselves. Driving, finding freight, maintaining equipment, handling insurance, managing customers, tracking expenses, and staying compliant can all fall on one person. Dakota Group provides owner-operators with access to compliance support without requiring them to become regulatory specialists themselves.

Depending on the operation, we can assist with:

  • USDOT registration
  • MCS-150
  • MOTUS
  • UCR
  • BOC-3
  • Operating authority
  • DOT drug and alcohol compliance
  • Clearinghouse requirements
  • Driver compliance
  • Permits
  • State registrations
  • Ongoing compliance support

Compliance Support That Grows With Your Business

A carrier’s compliance needs can change quickly as the business grows. Adding trucks, hiring drivers, entering new states, expanding operating authority, or changing business information can create new requirements. Dakota Group helps growing carriers create a more organized approach to compliance while providing direct support when questions arise. Our goal is to help transportation businesses spend less time trying to interpret administrative requirements and more time operating their businesses.

Support for Established Transportation Companies

Established fleets often require more than individual filing assistance.

They may need ongoing support coordinating:

  • Registrations
  • Driver records
  • Vehicle records
  • Filing deadlines
  • Renewals
  • Audits
  • Regulatory updates
  • Compliance reporting
  • Multi-state requirements

Dakota Group can work alongside internal compliance, operations, finance, safety, and management teams to provide additional support where needed.

Support Beyond Traditional Motor Carriers

Dakota Group also works with other transportation businesses when applicable.

These may include:

  • Freight brokers
  • Freight forwarders
  • Private carriers
  • Commercial vehicle operators
  • Logistics businesses
  • Transportation companies
  • Businesses establishing new transportation operations

Dakota Group also works with other transportation businesses when applicable.

Why Transportation Businesses Choose Dakota Group

U.S.-Based Compliance Support

Dakota Group provides access to U.S.-based support for transportation businesses navigating federal and state compliance requirements.

Real People

Technology should make compliance easier, but it should not eliminate access to knowledgeable human support. Our clients can speak with people who help them understand what they are completing and what steps may come next.

Transportation Industry Focus

Dakota Group focuses on trucking, transportation, DOT, FMCSA, and motor-carrier compliance. This allows our team to concentrate on the regulatory environment affecting transportation businesses.

Multiple Services Through One Compliance Partner

Carriers often encounter many different compliance obligations throughout the year. Dakota Group supports multiple areas of trucking compliance so customers do not necessarily have to manage a different provider for every filing, registration, driver requirement, or permit.

Nationwide Service

Dakota Group works with transportation businesses throughout all 50 states.

Education Alongside Service

We believe carriers should understand the important requirements affecting their businesses. Dakota Group publishes educational articles, industry updates, regulatory resources, guides, and trucking compliance information to help transportation businesses stay informed.

Compliance Without the Confusion

Regulations change. Businesses change. Fleets grow. Drivers come and go. Carriers add equipment, enter new states, update business information, and encounter new filing deadlines. A compliance partner needs to understand that transportation is constantly changing. Dakota Group focuses on making complicated regulatory requirements easier to understand and easier to manage. We combine compliance specialists, operational processes, technology, regulatory research, and direct client support to help transportation businesses stay focused on what they do best: moving freight and growing their businesses.

Nationwide Trucking Compliance Services

Dakota Group provides trucking compliance services to transportation businesses throughout the United States.

We support carriers based in and operating throughout:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

 

Our clients include carriers operating locally, regionally, interstate, and nationwide.
Whether a trucking business operates one truck in one state, a regional fleet across several states, or vehicles throughout the country, Dakota Group can help the business navigate applicable transportation compliance requirements.

Trucking Compliance Support Across Major U.S. Markets

New Jersey Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group provides trucking compliance support for New Jersey owner-operators, motor carriers, fleets, and transportation businesses. Our team can assist with federal requirements including DOT registration, MCS-150, MOTUS, UCR, operating authority, BOC-3, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse requirements, and other applicable transportation compliance responsibilities.

New York Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group works with New York transportation businesses that need support navigating federal motor-carrier compliance and applicable state requirements. We assist owner-operators, new carriers, and fleets with registrations, filings, driver compliance, UCR, MCS-150, MOTUS, authority, and ongoing compliance support.

Pennsylvania Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group provides compliance support for Pennsylvania-based motor carriers and transportation businesses. Services may include DOT and FMCSA registration support, MCS-150, MOTUS, UCR, operating authority, BOC-3, drug and alcohol requirements, driver compliance, permits, and ongoing regulatory support.

Texas Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group supports owner-operators, motor carriers, and fleets throughout Texas with federal trucking compliance and applicable transportation requirements. Our services include new-carrier registration, operating authority, MCS-150, MOTUS, UCR, BOC-3, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse support, and ongoing compliance assistance.

Florida Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group provides trucking compliance assistance for Florida owner-operators, new carriers, established carriers, and fleets. Our team supports businesses with DOT registration, authority, MCS-150, MOTUS, UCR, BOC-3, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse requirements, and other applicable regulatory obligations.

California Trucking Compliance

California carriers may need to navigate both federal motor-carrier requirements and separate state transportation requirements. Dakota Group assists transportation businesses with applicable federal DOT and FMCSA compliance, carrier registration, authority, UCR, MCS-150, MOTUS, drug and alcohol compliance, and related support. State-specific requirements should be evaluated separately based on the carrier’s operation.

Illinois Trucking Compliance

Our team can assist with DOT and FMCSA registration, MCS-150, UCR, MOTUS, authority, driver compliance, drug and alcohol requirements, and ongoing regulatory support.

Ohio Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group supports trucking companies and owner-operators throughout Ohio with federal carrier compliance and applicable transportation requirements. Services may include DOT registration, MCS-150, MOTUS, UCR, operating authority, BOC-3, drug testing compliance, and ongoing compliance support.

Georgia Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group works with Georgia motor carriers, owner-operators, and transportation businesses that need assistance navigating DOT, FMCSA, registration, driver, and fleet compliance requirements.

North Carolina Trucking Compliance

Dakota Group provides trucking compliance support to motor carriers and owner-operators throughout North Carolina. Our team assists with federal registration, authority, UCR, MCS-150, MOTUS, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse requirements, and ongoing carrier compliance.

Serving Transportation Businesses in All 50 States

  • Alabama

  • Alaska

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Florida

  • Georgia
  • Hawaii

  • Idaho

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Louisiana

  • Maine

  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Mississippi

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nebraska

  • Nevada

  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico

  • New York

  • North Carolina

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Oregon

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Vermont

  • Virginia

  • Washington

  • West Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

Trucking Compliance Resources & Regulatory Updates

Dakota Group does more than provide filing and compliance services. Our team also publishes educational content designed to help transportation businesses understand regulatory requirements and changes affecting the trucking industry.

Our compliance resources cover topics such as:

  • MCS-150 requirements
  • MOTUS
  • UCR
  • FMCSA registration
  • New carrier compliance
  • DOT drug and alcohol testing
  • FMCSA Clearinghouse
  • Driver compliance
  • Safety requirements
  • DOT audits
  • SAFER
  • CSA
  • Operating authority
  • BOC-3
  • State requirements
  • Regulatory changes
  • Enforcement trends

Frequently Asked Questions About Dakota Group

What is Dakota Group?
Dakota Group is a nationwide trucking compliance and regulatory services company that helps owner-operators, motor carriers, fleets, brokers, and transportation businesses navigate DOT, FMCSA, registration, driver, fleet, and state compliance requirements.
Dakota Group provides support with DOT and FMCSA registration, MCS-150 filings and updates, MOTUS, operating authority, BOC-3, Unified Carrier Registration, DOT drug and alcohol compliance, FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements, Driver Qualification Files, permits, IFTA, IRP, DOT audit preparation, and ongoing motor-carrier compliance.
Yes. Dakota Group works with individual owner-operators who need help navigating applicable DOT, FMCSA, drug testing, Clearinghouse, registration, filing, and other trucking compliance requirements.
Yes. Dakota Group supports small, growing, and established fleets with registrations, driver requirements, regulatory filings, compliance deadlines, audits, and other motor-carrier compliance responsibilities.
Yes. Dakota Group helps new carriers navigate many of the requirements associated with establishing a trucking operation, including DOT registration, operating authority, BOC-3, UCR, MCS-150, drug and alcohol compliance, Clearinghouse requirements, and other applicable registrations.
Yes. Dakota Group assists motor carriers with MCS-150 filings and updates, including reviewing carrier information that may need to be changed or updated.
Dakota Group provides third-party assistance for applicable MOTUS registration and related FMCSA registration processes.
Yes. Dakota Group assists transportation businesses with current-year and, where applicable, prior-year Unified Carrier Registration filings and related UCR requirements.
Yes. Dakota Group provides DOT drug and alcohol compliance support for motor carriers and owner-operators, including applicable testing program support and FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements.
Yes. Dakota Group helps transportation businesses navigate federal operating authority and related requirements, including MC authority, BOC-3, insurance filing requirements, and associated registration steps.
Yes. Dakota Group provides trucking compliance support to transportation businesses throughout all 50 U.S. states.

No. Dakota Group is a private, third-party compliance services company. Dakota Group is not the FMCSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, or another government agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by those agencies.

Many government registrations and filings can be completed directly with the applicable government agency. Dakota Group provides optional third-party assistance for transportation businesses that prefer professional help understanding and navigating applicable filing and compliance requirements.
Some transportation businesses prefer to manage regulatory requirements internally, while others choose to work with a third-party provider to help organize filings, understand deadlines, review information, and navigate compliance responsibilities. Dakota Group provides optional compliance assistance for businesses that want additional support.
Transportation businesses can contact Dakota Group by phone or through http://DakotaGroupUS.com to speak with a compliance specialist about applicable trucking compliance services.

Our Commitment to Transportation Businesses

For a trucking company, compliance is not simply an administrative task. It is part of the foundation of operating a transportation business.
Dakota Group is committed to helping carriers understand their obligations, maintain accurate registrations and records, navigate applicable regulatory requirements, and stay informed as the transportation compliance landscape changes. From a carrier’s first registration through the ongoing responsibilities of operating and growing a fleet, Dakota Group is here to provide support. Your trucks move America. We help you navigate the compliance that keeps them moving.

Have a Trucking Compliance Question?

Whether you are starting a trucking company, updating your DOT registration, reviewing an MCS-150, navigating MOTUS, filing UCR, establishing operating authority, managing DOT drug and alcohol requirements, preparing for an audit, or looking for ongoing compliance support, Dakota Group can help you understand your next steps.
Dakota Group is a private third-party service provider. Dakota Group is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, or any other government agency. Government filings may be available directly through the applicable government agency without the use of a third-party service provider.

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