Key facts
| Typical time to active | About 3-4 weeks after the authority is granted |
|---|---|
| Protest period | 10 days after FMCSA publishes the application |
| Required filings | BMC-91/91X liability insurance + BOC-3 process agents |
| Insurance deadline | Filed within 90 days of the grant, or the application can be dismissed |
| FMCSA application fee | $300 per type of authority |
| Where to check status | FMCSA SAFER / Licensing & Insurance (L&I) system |
Step by step
Get a USDOT number and apply for authority
Register through FMCSA's online registration system and request for-hire motor carrier operating authority. Pay the $300 fee per authority type.
Have your insurer file BMC-91 or BMC-91X
Your insurance company files proof of at least the federal minimum liability coverage electronically with FMCSA. You can't file it yourself.
Have a process agent file your BOC-3
A blanket process-agent company files your BOC-3 electronically, naming an agent in every state. It's usually a one-time fee.
Wait out the protest period
After FMCSA publishes your application, anyone has 10 days to protest it. Most new carrier applications get no protest.
Confirm the authority shows active
Search your USDOT or MC number in FMCSA's Licensing & Insurance system. Only haul for-hire interstate loads once the authority status says active.
Checklist
- USDOT number issued
- Operating authority application submitted and fee paid
- BMC-91 or BMC-91X filed by your insurer
- BOC-3 filed by your process agent
- 10-day protest period passed
- Authority status shows ACTIVE in FMCSA L&I
- UCR registration paid for the current year
- IRP plates and IFTA license in place before crossing state lines
FAQ
Why is my MC number still pending?
Usually because FMCSA hasn't received your insurance filing (BMC-91/91X) or your BOC-3, or the 10-day protest period hasn't ended. Check your record in FMCSA's Licensing & Insurance system to see which item is missing.
Can I haul loads while my authority is pending?
Not as an interstate for-hire carrier under your own authority. Until it shows active you can drive under another carrier's authority, for example by leasing on to a carrier.
Are MC numbers going away?
FMCSA has announced plans to make the USDOT number the single identifier for carriers and retire MC numbers. Check FMCSA's registration pages for the current status before you apply.
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Official sources
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your exact situation with the agency linked above.