DOT Operating Authority

DOT Operating Authority

Start, reactivate or deactivate a commercial transportation business.

Authority Types:

  • Motor Carrier (MC) – Common Carrier, Contract Carrier or Broker Authority
  • Mexican Domiciled Authority (MX)
  • Freight Forwarder Authority (FF)

What is Operating Authority (MC number)?

The term “operating authority” pertains to the legal permission granted to a motor carrier for operating a commercial motor vehicle throughout the U.S. for the following purposes:

  • Operating as for-hire carriers (for a fee or compensation).

  • Transporting passengers or arranging their transport in interstate commerce.

  • Transporting federally regulated commodities or arranging for their transport in interstate commerce.

Companies engaging in the these activities must get an interstate operating authority (MC number) along with a DOT number.

FMCSA Operating Authority
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What are the consequences for Non-Compliance?

Operating without an authority poses risks to your business. Carriers operating without authority may face being put Out of Service. Additionally, companies operating without an authority are subject to fines.

Do I Need Operating Authority Or Not

To know whether you require operating authority, consider the following questions:

  • Do you conduct trade, traffic, or transportation exclusively within your domicile state?

  • Are you a private carrier?
  • Are you available for hire to transport exempt commodities (goods not regulated by the government)?
  • Do you operate exclusively in a federally-designated zone exempt from interstate authority?


If your answer is “Yes” to any of the provided categories, you do not require operating authority. However, if you don’t fit into these categories, you will be classified as an entity involved in interstate commerce, and consequently, you will need operating authority.

  • If you handle hazardous materials, you require operating authority, regardless of your travel destinations across the U.S.
  • Even if you don’t venture beyond your domicile state, engaging in interstate commerce is applicable if your cargo crosses state lines or if you pick up property from a railhead, ocean, or river port.

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GET STARTED

Ready to start you commercial transportation business? Apply today and get your business on the road.

REACTIVATION

Need to reactivate your operating authority? Get started today and put your business back on the road.

DEACTIVATION

Going out of business and need to deactivate your authority? We can help you start the process.

usdot mc number

Applying For Your MC Number

Applying for a new MC Number typically takes a minimum of twenty to twenty-five business days to complete. Once you’ve applied and completed the process, your information will be published in the federal registry.

To successfully obtain your MC Number, you must fulfill additional requirements, including filing your BOC-3 (Blanket of Coverage) process agent designation, securing a surety bond, insurance, and more. You have at least eighty business days to comply with these requirements. Failure to do so may result in application dismissal, requiring an additional fee for a new MC Number or operating authority.

List Of Operating Authority Types

The type of authority or authorities you need will be determined by the category or categories you belong to.

  • Motor Carrier of Property (except Household Goods).
  • Motor Carrier of Household Goods (Moving Companies).
  • Broker of Property (except Household Goods).
  • Broker of Household Goods.
  • United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo (except Household Goods).
  • United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Goods.
  • Freight Forwarder Authority.
  • Motor Passenger Carrier Authority.
  • Non-North America-Domiciled Motor Carriers.
  • Mexico-based Carriers for Motor Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.-Mexico Border.
  • Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers.
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Motor Carrier (MC) Number

An MC Number is necessary if you participate in interstate commerce, meaning crossing state lines. The following must have interstate operating authority (an MC Number) along with a USDOT Number:

  • Businesses transporting passengers in interstate commerce for a fee, either directly or indirectly.

  • Those involved in transporting federally regulated commodities owned by others or arranging transport for a fee in interstate commerce.

Mexican Carrier (MX) Number

The “MX” prefix is designated for a motor carrier owned or controlled by a Mexican citizen, specifically someone domiciled in Mexico.

According to the FMCSA, Mexico-domiciled motor carriers entering the U.S. must possess an FMCSA-assigned MX Number, a valid FMCSA Certificate of Registration for commercial-zone operations, or long-haul Provisional or Standard Operating Authority Registration, along with a USDOT Number, irrespective of the distance traveled into the U.S.

The MX Number is also assigned to brokers and interstate for-hire motor carriers applying for operating authority. The time required to obtain an MX Number varies based on the application submission date and origin. Refer to the guidelines outlined in the Unified Registration System (URS) under Commercial Zone Authority for specific details.

Freight Forwarder (FF) Number

Freight Forwarders receive FF Numbers, while brokers and carriers receive MC Numbers. As Freight Forwarders are not involved in transporting goods between states, there’s no provision for them to obtain single-state registration.

Freight Forwarders are responsible for coordinating the transportation of goods through FMCSA-licensed carriers. They issue bills of lading to shippers and bear responsibility for any loss or damage to the goods. Registration with FMCSA is mandatory for Freight Forwarders. When granted permission by FMCSA Operating Authority to arrange for interstate or foreign commerce, an FF Number is assigned. Forwarders must register with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) by filing a Form OP-1 (FF).

Broker Authority

A broker authority is for individuals, partnerships, or corporations that arrange transportation for others by obtaining an authorized Motor Carrier (MC) Number. Types of Broker Authority:

  • Broker of Property/Freight – Arranging transportation of belongings for others (excluding household goods) using an authorized Motor Carrier.

  • Broker of Household Goods – Arranging transportation of household goods (personal items and property used at home) for others using an authorized Motor Carrier.

Once your MC Number is assigned, complete the following for the process:

  • For Brokers of Property/Freight: Fill out the BMC-85 form (Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement) of $75,000.

  • For Brokers of Household Goods: Fill out the BMC-84 form (Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement) of $75,000.

  • Both Broker Types: Must complete the BOC-3 form (Designation of Process Agents).

Note: Brokers do not assume responsibility for the property and never take possession of it.

Mexican Certificate Of Registration

A Mexican Certificate of Registration permits Mexico-domiciled public and private motor carriers to transport freight in commerce from Mexico within a 20-mile radius of the U.S. border.

Forms required for obtaining a USDOT number and operating authority registration:

  • Start by acquiring a USDOT number through the filing of an MCS-150 form.

  • Complete the OP-2 application if your operations are within the commercial zone, or fill out the OP-1 (MX) if your activities extend beyond the commercial zone.

Note: The OP-1 (MX) form is not required if the business is domiciled in the U.S., and the owner or person controlling the company is a Mexican citizen.

Mexican Certificate Of Registration

Revocation of operating authority occurs when an existing motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder is no longer in operation.

In instances where an individual, partnership, or corporation has suspended its operations and no longer wishes to function as an operator, they can choose voluntary revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your company intends to transport or arrange transportation for property, household goods, or passengers for compensation in interstate commerce (crossing state lines or national borders), obtaining an Operating Authority is a mandatory requirement.

  • Motor Carrier of Property (excluding Household Goods).
  • Motor Carrier of Household Goods (Moving Companies).
  • Broker of Property (excluding Household Goods).
  • Broker of Household Goods.
  • United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo (excluding Household Goods).
  • United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Goods.
  • Freight Forwarder Authority.
  • Motor Passenger Carrier Authority.
  • Non-North America-Domiciled Motor Carriers.
  • Mexico-based Carriers for Motor Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.-Mexico Border.
  • Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers.

The process usually takes 20-25 days from your application date. Keep in mind that meeting additional requirements is essential for obtaining your Operating Authority. This includes filing your BOC-3 process agent designation and ensuring the proper insurance is on file with the FMCSA.

A process agent (BOC-3) is someone who can receive legal papers if there’s a court case involving a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. You need to have this in place before you can get Operating Authority.

No, it’s not allowed. You cannot engage in interstate commerce until you have received your certificate/permit along with the required state registrations.

Intrastate commerce involves conducting transportation solely within your base state, without crossing state lines or international borders. However, be aware of certain exceptions that might categorize you as an interstate carrier (refer to the caveats below).

On the other hand, interstate commerce entails crossing state lines or international borders.