By Evan Reid, Founder of Haul Handbook · Updated Aug 27, 2026
The Alabama requirements table
Application fee schedule by authority type
Alabama charges one application filing fee per class of authority, so what a carrier pays depends on the certificate being applied for rather than on a term or a fleet size.
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Who the requirement covers
Alabama insurance minimums
State minimums can differ from the federal filing levels; the federal side is covered in our insurance filings guide.
- Liability minimum
- State intrastate liability minimum not yet verified against the agency page; rendered as Not confirmed.
Minimum liability by operation type
General freight is not the floor for every carrier. Hazmat and larger passenger operations carry higher minimums; buy against the row that matches what you haul.
Other Alabama insurance requirements
More Alabama authority rules
Who needs PSC operating authority
The general trigger is for-hire operation: a motor carrier transporting property or passengers for compensation in intrastate commerce needs PSC authority. Private carriers not operating for hire are outside the requirement. The trigger fields below carry the PSC's own wording so you can judge your case against the source.
Filing and fees
Alabama issues authority as a certificate or permit depending on the operation. The application is filed with the PSC, and the state charges filing and statutory fees that the PSC publishes. Your insurer files proof of liability coverage with the state as part of the application. The fee table on this page lists each amount from the PSC page.
Insurance minimums and filings
Alabama sets liability minimums for authorized carriers, and your insurance company makes the filing with the PSC, not you. The minimums table on this page lists each operation type with its amount from the PSC page.
Renewal and processing
Authority is renewed on the PSC schedule, and your insurer must keep proof of coverage on file continuously. After approval you manage the certificate through the PSC Motor Carrier Services Section.
Where this fits in the Alabama launch
A cell reading "Not confirmed" means the agency did not publish a figure we could verify, so we left it open rather than guessed. For the full launch order, work through start a trucking company in Alabama, then line up IRP registration and IFTA if you run beyond state lines. To compare every state at once, see the national intrastate authority table.
Frequently asked questions
Does Alabama require intrastate operating authority for for-hire trucking?
- Yes. For-hire motor carriers transporting property or passengers in intrastate commerce need a certificate or permit from the Alabama Public Service Commission. Private carriers not operating for hire are outside the requirement.
Do I need a USDOT Number before PSC authority?
- Yes. A valid USDOT Number is a prerequisite for the federal and state credentials Alabama references, even for carriers that never leave the state.
What insurance does Alabama require for intrastate carriers?
- Liability minimums set by operation type, filed by your insurer with the PSC. The sourced table on this page lists each amount.
What does Alabama authority cost?
- The total depends on the filing and statutory fees the PSC publishes for the authority type you need. The fee table on this page carries each amount from the PSC page.
Haul Handbook publishes educational information about trucking registration and compliance requirements. This is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Rules, fees, and deadlines change; confirm with the agency before you file or pay.