The Motor Carrier (MC) Number is a fundamental regulatory identifier for any business transporting goods or passengers for compensation across state lines in the United States. Issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this number acts as the formal grant of operating authority. Without a valid MC Number, a carrier cannot legally engage in interstate commerce as a for-hire entity. The MC Number ensures the carrier has met the minimum federal standards for financial responsibility and compliance before operating on public roadways.
Defining the Motor Carrier Operating Authority Number
The MC Number is the unique sequence that certifies a carrier has been granted the legal permission necessary to operate in interstate commerce. This authority is specifically linked to the nature of the operation, particularly whether the carrier is transporting goods or passengers for a fee. The number is a core component of the FMCSA’s licensing and registration system, distinguishing authorized for-hire operations from private or exempt carriers.
The MC Number defines the carrier’s operating authority, which is permission rather than mere identification. This authority can be issued in different forms, such as “MC” for motor carriers and brokers, or “FF” for freight forwarders, based on the specific service provided. Obtaining this authority confirms that the carrier has demonstrated an ability to comply with federal safety and economic regulations.
Who Must Register for an MC Number
Interstate For-Hire Carriers
Any motor carrier that transports property or passengers for compensation across state lines must secure an MC Number to obtain interstate operating authority. This requirement applies to any transportation service where the carrier is hired to move another party’s goods from one state to another. This includes owner-operators and fleet owners who haul general freight.
Carriers Transporting Federally Regulated Commodities
The authority requirement is also triggered when a for-hire carrier transports federally regulated commodities, even if the route stays within a single state. Federally regulated commodities are generally items that have been changed from their natural state, and their transport falls under the jurisdiction of the FMCSA. This rule ensures that carriers handling specific goods meet specialized federal standards.
Carriers Arranging Transport (Brokers/Freight Forwarders)
Entities that do not physically move the freight themselves but arrange for its transport must also obtain their own form of operating authority. Freight brokers, who connect shippers with motor carriers, require a specific MC Number, often referred to as Broker Authority. Freight forwarders assemble and consolidate shipments and take responsibility for the entire transport, requiring an FF-designated authority. These authorities ensure that non-carrier entities arranging transportation are registered and financially responsible.
Foreign Carriers Operating in the U.S.
Motor carriers based in Mexico or Canada that intend to transport goods or passengers into or through the United States must obtain a specific type of operating authority. These carriers are issued an MX-designated operating authority by the FMCSA. This requirement ensures that international carriers operating within U.S. borders are subject to the same federal safety and compliance oversight as domestic companies.
Distinguishing the MC Number from the USDOT Number
The functions of the MC Number and the USDOT Number are fundamentally different within the regulatory framework. The USDOT Number serves as a universal identifier that allows the government to track and monitor a company’s safety and compliance data. It is required for all commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate commerce that meet certain weight or passenger thresholds, regardless of whether they are for-hire or private carriers.
The USDOT Number is the government’s tool for safety oversight, used to record crash history, inspection results, and audit findings. It functions like a Social Security Number for the business, following it throughout its career and never expiring, though it can be deactivated for compliance violations. Even private fleets hauling their own materials must obtain a USDOT Number for identification and safety monitoring.
The MC Number, in contrast, is the legal permission that grants authority to operate for compensation across state lines. Not every business with a USDOT Number requires an MC Number; a private company moving its own equipment interstate only needs the USDOT identifier. The MC Number is specifically required for for-hire operations and those transporting regulated goods, acting as the economic license to do business in the interstate market. The USDOT Number tells the government who the company is and tracks its safety record, while the MC Number shows what the company is legally allowed to do for profit.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Operating Authority
The process of obtaining operating authority begins with registering through the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS). All first-time applicants must use the URS portal, which guides them through the application for both a USDOT Number and the specific MC authority. Securing a USDOT Number is a prerequisite for the operating authority process.
The application involves submitting the appropriate form from the OP-1 series, or completing the equivalent fields in the URS, defining the specific type of authority sought, such as Motor Carrier of Property or Broker. A non-refundable filing fee of $300 is required for each type of operating authority requested. Once the application is submitted and the fee is paid, the FMCSA assigns the MC Number, but it is not yet active.
Following the initial application, a mandatory 21-day protest period begins, during which the application is published for public review. Any individual or organization can file a protest with the FMCSA, challenging the applicant’s fitness to operate. The authority will only be granted and activated after this 21-day period has passed without successful protest. Activation also requires all subsequent compliance filings, such as insurance and process agent designation, to be successfully completed and processed by the FMCSA.
Maintaining Active Authority and Regulatory Compliance
Once the MC Number is granted and activated, a carrier must continuously meet several requirements to maintain active operating authority status. The primary necessity is providing proof of financial responsibility, which involves liability insurance documentation filed directly with the FMCSA. Motor carriers of general freight must have their insurance provider electronically file a BMC-91 or BMC-91X form, demonstrating the required minimum coverage, often $750,000 for non-hazardous property carriers.
A mandatory filing is the designation of a Process Agent in every state where the carrier operates. This is accomplished by filing the BOC-3 form, which names a representative who can accept legal documents on the carrier’s behalf. Both the insurance and BOC-3 filings must be kept current at all times; any lapse in either filing will automatically result in the deactivation of the operating authority.
Carriers must also adhere to ongoing federal registration requirements. This includes annual registration through the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) system, which verifies active insurance coverage. Furthermore, the carrier is required to update its USDOT record by filing the MCS-150 form biennially, or every two years, ensuring the FMCSA has accurate operational data on file.
Verifying a Carrier’s Authority and Safety Record
For shippers, brokers, and logistics professionals, the MC Number is a practical tool used to verify a carrier’s legal status and fitness for service. The most direct method for checking a carrier’s status is by using the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System. By entering the carrier’s MC Number or USDOT Number into the SAFER system, third parties can access the company’s public snapshot.
This snapshot provides details on the carrier’s operating status, which is recorded in the FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance (L&I) system. Users can quickly determine if the authority is “Authorized,” meaning it is active and the carrier is compliant with insurance and process agent filings. Conversely, the status may show as “Not Authorized” or “Inactive,” indicating a failure to meet compliance requirements.