Frequently Asked Questions

FMCSA has separated the initial application requirements from those for maintenance and renewal of a HMSP.  Therefore, the conditions set forth in section 385.407 apply only to initial applicants and Temporary HMSP holders.

Once the HMSP goes into a non-temporary status, it is then subject to the conditions for suspension and revocations in section 385.421.  Specifically, for implementation of the recommendations mentioned in Question 3, section 385.421(a)(5) is used as the basis for determining whether a carrier is identified for enhanced oversight.

Basically, FMCSA has added 3 conditions to SMS in order to identify carriers for “enhanced oversight.”  These conditions are:

1. The Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance BASIC is above threshold for 2 consecutive months;

2. Two BASICs, other than the HM Compliance BASIC, are above threshold for 2 consecutive months; or

3. There is insufficient data (no BASIC scores) for 48 consecutive months and the safety rating is ≥ 4 years old.

Last Updated : July 29, 2015

Carriers and other regulated entities should NOT submit insurance certificates directly to FMCSA. They should request that their insurance company submit the insurance filings online. Please contact your insurance company directly to make these arrangements. 

Please send an e-mail to mc-ecc.comments@dot.gov requesting that your password be reset. Include your name, the company name, the account filer name, and phone number. 

You can search FMCSA's database to confirm if an interstate mover is registered, has insurance, is authorized to transport household goods or has received complaints.

Interstate moving companies and brokers must be registered with the federal government and have a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number. A company may be registered but not authorized to move household goods.

If you're moving to a new location within the same state, check with your state, county or local consumer affairs agency or state moving association. Each state has its own rules and regulations for moving household goods within the state. FMCSA may also have helpful data on your local mover regarding their interstate moves.

For interstate moves, you can avoid unexpected moving costs by visiting protectyourmove.gov. You can learn about consumer protection regulations regarding written estimates, binding estimates, and non-binding estimates.

Written Estimates

Your mover must provide you a written estimate of all charges, including transportation, accessorial, and advance charges. Your mover's "rate quote" is not an estimate. Be sure the estimate is based on actual or virtual inspection of your household goods.

Binding Estimates

A binding estimate guarantees that you do not have to pay more than the estimated amount at the time of delivery. However, if you include additional items and services to your shipment, or there are unforeseen circumstances such as stairs, elevators or required parking permits, in this case the mover must prepare a new binding estimate to include all services and items to be transported.

Non-Binding Estimates

A non-binding estimate helps you determine the cost of your move, but it is not a guarantee of your final costs. It should be reasonably accurate and include what your final charges will be based upon such as the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided, and the mover’s published tariff.

Under a nonbinding estimate, the moving company cannot require you to pay more than 110 percent of the non-binding estimate at the time of delivery. Learn more by reading  Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet.

If the amount of insurance on file with FMCSA needs to be raised or lowered, please send the request to mc-ecc.comments@dot.gov. Include the following information (preferably on company letterhead):

    USDOT#
    MC#
    Name of company
    Request to raise or lower the insurance, and the desired amount
    Signature of the requestor

Once that change has been requested, FMCSA insurance specialists will process it in our systems, provided that it reflects the amount of insurance you are required to have on file based on your type of operation.

For more information about FMCSA insurance requirements, click here.

For information on what you can expect from a moving company, see the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) web site "Protect Your Move."  This site gives summaries of your rights as a consumer, instructions on how to respond if there is a problem with your move, etc.

Customers can file a complaint against a motor carrier or broker online or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238). 

To check a moving company's FMCSA registration information and history, go to the Protect Your Move look-up page for household goods carriers.

You may also wish to check the company's status with the Better Business Bureau.

You can search FMCSA's mover database for up-to-date access to registered interstate movers and their complaint history. For more information, check FMCSA steps to select a mover.

To check whether your operating authority has been issued (granted), go to the Licensing and Insurance website. If you have received a certificate of authority and/or your authority is listed as transed in L&I, you are approved to operate.

Click "Continue," then open the pull-down menu in the upper right

• Select "Carrier Search” and click "Go" 
• Enter MC Number or USDOT Number in the appropriate box 
• Click the box next to "I'm not a robot" and perform the verification task
• Click "Search"
• When the Carrier Search result comes up, click “HTML”
• Scroll to bottom and click on “Authority History.” This page will display the granted date of the operating authority

Normally, operating authority documents are sent out within 3-4 business days. If 10 or more business days have passed since the grant date and you have not yet received the operating authority document, call 800-832-5660 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time for assistance. You can submit a ticket through at Ask FMCSA using Submit Us a Ticket.

If you need to request a copy of your certificate of operating authority issued in the past, contact FMCSA at the above phone number, or submit a ticket through our site at Ask FMCSA using Submit Us a Ticket.

To find the status of a USDOT number, click here.

You can contact the Medical Examiner that conducted your evaluation for a copy of your medical certification examination.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

If the medical examiner’s certificate has expired, you must obtain a new one and provide it to your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA). If you require a variance and it has expired, you must renew it with FMCSA. Your State may require retesting and additional fees to get back your CDL privileges. If allowed by your SDLA, you may also change your self-certification to an operating category that does not require a medical certificate.

More information can be found on the FMCSA medical program web site.

Contact the MRB staff on (202) 366-4001 or fmcsamrb@fmcsa.dot.gov

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

 For detailed instructions on how to reapply for a USDOT number after a New Entrant registration revocation, please see "Instructions for Reapplication after New Entrant Revocation."   

All insurance companies can contact e-mail the FMCSA Insurance Division at mc-ecc.comments@dot.gov.

Insurance companies that wish to file insurance (BMC-91, 91X, 34 and 84) online need to set up a filer account with FMCSA. There is a $10 fee for each filing filed with FMCSA.

Please send us a filer account request letter on company letterhead with the following information:

• Indicate the insurance type(s) to be filed (BIPD, Cargo, Surety Bond or Trust Fund coverage)
• Home office address of the insurance company
• Billing address (if different from the home office address)
• Name of a contact person with that insurance company
• Contact person's telephone and fax numbers
• Contact person's billing telephone and fax number (if different than above)
• Copy of the insurance company's state license
• E-mail address of the contact person (if available)
• Preferred user name for the account (if any)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service
  • Please provide the EIN in this format: XX-XXXXXXX

Please note that filer accounts are only available for the insurers, NOT for insurance agents. 

Submit your request to FMCSA by email at mc-ecc.comments@dot.gov, by submitting a ticket at Ask FMCSA using the Submit Us a Ticket icon at the top of the page, or mail it to:

FMCSA
Office of Registration (MC-RS)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W63-105
Washington, DC 20590
 

The Household Goods Consumer online complaint tool and toll-free hotline is your chance to help identify motor carriers and brokers who are reported to have engaged in violations of the commercial regulations.

The current hours-of-service (HOS) exception in 49 CFR 395.1(k) covers any motor carrier transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies to an eligible destination. The MAP-21 revision expands the current 100 air-mile radius to 150 air-miles (172.6 statute miles) and makes transportation from wholesalers to retailers eligible for the exception.

MAP-21 provides a new and broad exemption from many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for operators of “covered farm vehicles” (CFVs). The new definition of a CFV to be found in § 390.5 includes a variety of conditions and limitations involving the size of the vehicle, hauling distance from the farm or ranch, and cargo being transported. Perhaps most important, CFV operators must be farmers or ranchers, their families, and employees. Source: 78 FR 16189, March 14, 2013.

Last Updated : September 7, 2022

A carrier would file the MCS-150B form to start the application process. A carrier that does not have a USDOT Number will receive one by filing the MCS-150B.

Downloadable versions of the MCS-150B are available on our web site.

You can also apply online.

Last Updated : April 15, 2014

If a for-hire carrier, broker, freight forwarder or other regulated entity applies for the wrong type of operating authority, or changes the type of business they do, they may need to request a change of operating authority type.

If the original application is still pending, the entity can request the change with no additional fee. If the application has already been granted, the entity would need to pay an additional $300 fee to apply for a new authority.

Please submit your request containing the following information by uploading the documents via the ASK website (scroll to the bottom of the page, complete the required fields, and upload your documents), you will receive a confirmation number by email; or via fax to 202-366-3477

• The OP-series form appropriate to the new authority you are requesting:
  • OP-1 forms if requesting change to carrier, broker or household goods carrier authority
  • OP-1(FF) form if requesting change to freight forwarder authority
  • OP-1(P) form if requesting change to passenger authority
• A letter or email with a statement describing the change you are requesting (from household goods carrier to motor carrier, or freight forwarder to motor carrier, for example)
• The signature of the person requesting the change (must be from the applicant who signed the original application or the authorized representative listed on the application.  If the person requesting the change is the authorized representative listed in MCMIS but is not listed on the application, then a written statement from owner/applicant will be needed confirming that person's authorization to request the change on behalf of the carrier before the change can be made and the representative section is updated in L&I)
• Current MC/DOT/FF numbers if available
• Updated MCS-150 form

Your form will be reviewed and processed by FMCSA. More information on applying for operating authority can be found on our "Get Authority to Operate" web page.

To change the Entity type on your registration:

1. Complete an MCS-150 form ensuring that all applicable items are filled out. To avoid delays:
   1. Section 24: If you select Motor Vehicles and/or Drive Away/Towaway, you must select “Class 9” in section 25. Also, in section 25, C (Carried) and N (Non-bulk) must be checked.
   2. Section 30 and 31 must be filled out
2. Select "Biennial Update or Changes" as the "Reason for Filing" on the top of the form.
3. In the blank space at the top of the form, indicate the Entity type you need (i.e., Change Entity type to Motor Carrier)
4. Upload the form through our website at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/ (scroll to the bottom of hte page, complete the required fields, and upload your documents), you wil receive a confirmation number by email; or via fax to 202-366-3477. 

A company’s Entity type is the term used to describe the company’s operations. When filling out your application for a USDOT Number (and Operating Authority-OA), you will be answering questions that directly impact your Entity type: Carrier, Broker, Freight Forwarder, Cargo Tank, Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP). For additional information on this topic, check our How To Identify Entity Types video.

Note: Entity type is not the same as Operating Authority (OA) type; however, the entity type will have to correspond to your OA type. To change your type of OA, please review the information on this page.