The problem it solves
Before you apply for your own authority you need to know how much cash it takes to start, what rate per mile you must get to break even, and, if you are talking to a lender, a business plan with projections. This kit gives you a calculator for the numbers, an editable plan to put them in, and a guide and checklist for the filings.
See the actual files
Screenshots rendered from the files in the download. Numbers shown are the sample data that ships with each file.
What's included
- HaulLedger_Trucking_Startup_Guide.pdf (21 pages): Business model, entity and EIN, USDOT and authority, BOC-3, insurance, UCR, IRP, IFTA, Form 2290, drug and alcohol testing, ELD, new entrant audit, loads, brokers, factoring and your first 90 days.
- HaulLedger_Trucking_Startup_Cost_Calculator.xlsx: Tabs: Start Here, Inputs, Dashboard, Cash Runway, Projections Inputs, 3-Year Projections. Type only in the orange cells; other cells are formulas.
- HaulLedger_Trucking_Business_Plan_Template (.docx + .pdf, 15 pages): Editable business plan structured to follow the SBA's traditional format, with prompts and a sample.
- HaulLedger_New_Authority_Checklists.pdf (3 pages): Printable New Authority Checklist and First 90 Days Checklist.
- HaulLedger_Startup_Kit_Quick_Start.pdf (1 page): What's in the download and the order to use it.
Compatibility: what we tested
On Oct 11, 2026 we opened the calculator with openpyxl (707 formulas, 10 dropdown rules) and recalculated it in LibreOffice Calc with 0 formula errors. The .docx plan opened in LibreOffice and kept its 15 pages. Our product QA notes record a Google Sheets test on Oct 7, 2026 (all 707 formula cells matched) and a Google Docs import of the plan. Sheet protection does not carry over to Google Sheets. We have not opened these copies in Microsoft Excel for this page.
How delivery works
This is a digital download sold through our Etsy shop. After you buy, Etsy gives you an instant download of the ZIP file; nothing is shipped. Questions or trouble with a file? Email support@haulledgerstudio.com or message us through Etsy.
Example in use
With the sample numbers that ship in the calculator, the Dashboard works out $62,633 total cash needed to start, $16,984 monthly costs and a break-even rate of $2.14 per loaded mile. At the sample expected rate of $2.40 that is $0.26 per loaded mile of cushion. Type your own truck, insurance and fuel quotes over the orange cells and every number updates. Then copy the 3-year summary into section 8 of the business plan.