New Authority Package (MC Number)
USDOT, MC authority, BOC-3, and UCR in one package.
To haul regulated freight for pay across state lines under your own name, you need operating authority, usually called an MC number, on top of a USDOT number. Getting it active takes several filings in the right order, and a mistake in any one of them can hold up your first load.
Our new authority package handles the whole sequence: the USDOT number if you need one, the MC application, your BOC-3, and your UCR registration, with a checklist for the insurance filing your agent has to make.
What Is Included
- USDOT number application, or verification of your existing number
- MC operating authority application for the authority type you need
- BOC-3 filing with blanket process agent coverage in all 50 states and DC
- UCR registration for the current year
- Insurance filing checklist for your agent (BMC-91 or BMC-91X)
- Status tracking until your authority shows active
Who Needs MC Authority?
- For-hire carriers hauling regulated freight for pay across state lines
- Freight brokers (broker authority)
- Freight forwarders
- Household goods movers operating interstate
Private carriers hauling only their own goods, and carriers hauling only exempt commodities, may not need MC authority. We confirm which authority type fits before filing.
How Long It Takes
After the application is submitted, FMCSA publishes it and holds a protest period. Your authority is granted only once that period ends and both your insurance filing and BOC-3 are on file. Plan on roughly three weeks or more from application to active authority. FMCSA may take longer for applications selected for extra vetting.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| FMCSA application fee | $300 per authority type, paid in Motus |
| UCR fee | From $55 for 0 to 2 vehicles |
| ICR Filings package fee | $499 |
Insurance is bought separately from your insurance agent. Most general freight carriers need at least $750,000 in liability coverage.
Before You Start
- Business entity formed and EIN letter
- Legal name and address exactly as on the EIN letter
- Company official available for a Login.gov identity check
- Vehicle details and the type of freight you will haul
- An insurance agent who writes new-authority trucking policies
How It Works
- Complete our questionnaire and choose your authority type.
- Your company official verifies their identity in Motus. We guide you through it.
- We prepare and submit your USDOT and MC applications, and you pay the FMCSA fee in Motus.
- We file your BOC-3 and your UCR, and send your insurance agent the filing checklist.
- We track your application and tell you the day your authority is active.
Ready to Get Started?
MC Authority Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an MC number cost?
FMCSA charges $300 per authority type. Our package is $499 and includes the BOC-3 and UCR filing work.
When can I start hauling?
Only once FMCSA shows your authority as active, after the protest period and with your insurance and BOC-3 on file.
Do I need insurance before applying?
You can apply first, but your insurer must file proof of coverage before the authority is granted. Start getting quotes right away.
Are MC numbers going away?
Not for now. FMCSA's Motus system still issues MC numbers.