The MC Number is a fundamental piece of regulatory identification for commercial trucking companies operating within the United States. Issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this number grants the necessary operating authority for businesses to transport goods or passengers for compensation across state lines. Obtaining and maintaining an active MC Number is mandatory for compliance, permitting a company to legally engage in interstate commerce. This authorization ensures carriers meet federal standards before fulfilling transportation contracts nationwide.
Defining the Motor Carrier (MC) Number
The Motor Carrier (MC) Number represents an entity’s official operating authority, which is the legal permission to conduct specific for-hire transportation activities. This authority is required for companies that move federally regulated commodities or passengers between states, a process known as interstate commerce. The FMCSA uses this number to classify and track the type of business a company is authorized to perform, such as transporting household goods or non-household property. The requirement for this operating authority is codified in federal regulations governing the registration of motor carriers. A company may hold multiple authorities, each represented by a distinct MC Number, depending on the variety of services it offers.
The Difference Between MC and USDOT Numbers
Both the MC Number and the USDOT Number are identification numbers issued by the FMCSA, but they serve distinctly different regulatory purposes. The USDOT Number is primarily a tracking mechanism, functioning as a unique identifier that monitors a carrier’s safety data, compliance reviews, and audit results. It is required for all commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate commerce, and sometimes for intrastate commerce, regardless of whether the carrier is for-hire or private.
The MC Number, conversely, is an operating license that grants permission to operate as a for-hire carrier in interstate commerce. This authority is specifically tied to the transport of regulated commodities or passengers for compensation. A private carrier requires only a USDOT Number, but not an MC Number. The USDOT Number focuses on safety oversight, while the MC Number provides market entry authority for specific interstate activities. Carriers engaging in regulated interstate transport typically require both numbers to ensure compliance with safety and economic regulations.
Who Is Required to Obtain an MC Number?
The requirement for an MC Number is triggered by the combination of interstate travel and for-hire compensation. For-hire motor carriers transporting passengers or federally regulated commodities across state lines must obtain this authority. This includes Common Carriers, who serve the general public, and Contract Carriers, who operate under specific agreements with shippers.
Non-carrying intermediaries who arrange freight movement must also secure an MC Number, even though they do not operate commercial vehicles. This includes property brokers, who connect shippers with authorized motor carriers, and freight forwarders, who assemble and consolidate shipments before arranging transport. Entities exempt from this requirement include private carriers hauling their own cargo and for-hire carriers exclusively transporting commodities that the federal government does not regulate.
The Process for Obtaining an MC Number
The application process for operating authority begins with establishing a USDOT Number, which is a prerequisite for the MC Number application. Applicants must file through the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS) or submit the appropriate OP-1 series forms, selecting the specific type of operating authority they require. A non-refundable filing fee of $300 is required for each separate authority requested, such as Common Carrier of Property or Broker of Property.
Once submitted, the FMCSA posts the request in the Federal Register, initiating a 21-day protest period during which the application can be challenged. After this period concludes and the necessary financial and process agent filings have been completed, the FMCSA officially grants the authority. The process typically takes several weeks to complete, provided all required supporting documentation is submitted correctly and on time.
Maintaining MC Authority and Compliance
Maintaining an active MC authority requires continuous compliance with regulatory and financial obligations to avoid suspension or revocation. A core requirement is filing proof of financial responsibility, which involves securing public liability insurance. The insurance provider must file a BMC-91 or BMC-91X form with the FMCSA. Carriers of household goods must also file proof of cargo insurance using a BMC-34 form.
Carriers must designate a process agent in every state where they operate or maintain an office by filing the BOC-3 form. This agent is a legal representative who can receive court papers on the carrier’s behalf. Active carriers must also pay the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee and complete the biennial update of their company information via the MCS-150 form to keep their records current with the FMCSA.