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.

You may change the company address or phone number of your operating authority (MC number) record, by submitting your request following any of the options below:

• Online: Request reinstatement online via your FMCSA Portal account (Don't have an FMCSA Portal Account to Make Online Changes?)
• Paper: Send your completed and signed MCSA-5889 Form to us by submitting a ticket via our ASK website (scroll to the bottom of the page, complete the required fields, and upload your document). You will receive a confirmation number by email. Alternatively, you may fax a completed and signed MCSA-5889 Form to 202-366-3477. Paper submissions may take up 8 days for review and processing. 

Your completed form must contain:

• The MC number
• The name of the company
• The former and current addresses and telephone numbers
• Signature of the applicant or applicant's representative

To update the company’s Legal/DBA name or phone number associated with your USDOT Number record, you can use one of the following options. Updating your USDOT Number record is free of charge. 

Option 1: Online Update

Complete the process online using your USDOT PIN. You can find detailed instructions for the online process attached to this FAQ.

Option 2: Submit a Form

Download the appropriate MCS-150 form: MCS-150 (Motor Carriers), MCS-150B (Motor Carriers with HazMat Permit), or MCS-150C (Intermodal Equipment Providers). Once completed and signed, submit the form using one of the options below:

• Submit a ticket through our website at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov (scroll to the bottom of the page, complete the required fields, and upload your documents). This is the fastest option, and you will receive a confirmation number by email.
• Fax the form to 202-366-3477 or 606-330-3802.
• Mail the form using the instructions provided on the form. Please note that this option may result in a delay in processing, and we recommend using one of the first two options.

In some cases, a legal name change, ownership change, or change in form of business may require a new USDOT number. For more information on this, click here.

Please note that if you change the name associated with your USDOT number, it will not automatically update your MC number. You will need to go through the MC number name change procedure separately. However, if you change the name associated with your MC number, it will also be updated for your USDOT number. There is a $14 fee for an MC number name change.

To check a company's safety rating, you can visit the FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) website. On the SAFER website, you can search for a company by name, USDOT number, or MC/MX number. Once you have found the company you are looking for, you can access their safety rating and other important information, such as their inspection and crash history. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact the FMCSA's Safety Compliance and Safety Accountability (CSA) program.

The most efficient way to request and track a review of Federal and State crash or inspection data is using the DataQs system, which automatically forwards your Request for Data Review (RDR) to the appropriate office for resolution and collects updates and responses for current requests.

Please note: Entities that are registered in MCMIS (for examples, interstate motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, IEPs, etc.) must log in to the FMCSA Portal to request access to DataQs. If you don't already have a Portal account, you can learn how to set one up by clicking here. Once you have a Portal account, then you can request DataQs access.

If you aren't a registered entity in MCMIS, click here.

Please follow the step-by-step directions, which can be found on the FMCSA website, to establish your account.

You can determine the status of your USDOT number in these ways:

• Online: Go to the SAFER website and search by name, USDOT number or MC number
• Submit a ticket: Visit our website at: ask.fmcsa.dot.gov. Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the required fields (and upload any documents, if applicable). You will receive a tracking number;
• Chat: Initiate a live chat with FMCSA Customer Service
• Phone: Call 800-832-5660 to speak to FMCSA Customer Service

You are subject to FMCSA regulations if you operate any of the following types of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce:

• A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating (whichever is greater) of 4,537 kg (10,001 lbs.) or more (GVWR, GCWR, GVW or GCW)
• A vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, whether direct or indirect
• A vehicle designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers including the driver and not used for compensation
• Any size vehicle used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100-177). This includes INTRASTATE Hazardous Materials carriers

If you meet the above criteria, you must comply with the applicable U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations concerning:

• Controlled substances and alcohol testing for all persons required to possess a CDL
• Driver qualifications (including medical exams)
• Driving of commercial motor vehicles; parts and accessories necessary for safe operations
• Hours of service
• Inspection, repair and maintenance

You can find FMCSA regulations in the US GPO’s Code of Federal Regulations website. Select the most recent year, then go to Title 49, then parts 300-399.

For some definitions of FMCSA terms, click here.

For the purpose of complying with the new requirements for medical certification, it is important to know how you are using the CMV. To help you decide, follow these steps:

Step 1: Do you, or will you, use a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a CMV in interstate or intrastate commerce?

• Interstate commerce is when you drive a CMV:
  • From one State to another State or a foreign country
  • Between two places within a State, but during part of the trip, the CMV crosses into another State or foreign country
  • Between two places within a State, but the cargo or passengers are part of a trip that began or will end in another State or foreign country
• Intrastate commerce is when you drive a CMV within a State and you do not meet any of the descriptions above for interstate commerce
• If you operate in both intrastate commerce and interstate commerce, you must choose interstate commerce

Step 2: Once you decide whether you operate (or will operate) in interstate commerce or intrastate commerce, you then must decide whether you operate (or expect to operate) in a non-excepted or excepted status.

Interstate Commerce:

• You operate in excepted interstate commerce when you drive a CMV in interstate commerce only for the following excepted activities:
  • To transport school children and/or school staff between home and school
  • As Federal, State or local government employees
  • To transport human corpses or sick or injured persons
  • Fire truck or rescue vehicle drivers during emergencies and other related activities
  • Primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel when responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response such as damage to a propane gas system after a storm or flooding
  • In response to a pipeline emergency condition requiring immediate response such as a pipeline leak or rupture
  • In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm machinery and supplies used in the custom harvesting operation to and from a farm or to transport custom harvested crops to storage or market
  • Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees
  • Controlled and operated by a farmer, but is not a combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (no placard-able hazardous materials) to and from a farm and within 150 air-miles of the farm
  • As a private motor carrier of passengers for non-business purposes
  • To transport migrant workers
• If you answered yes to one or more of the above activities as the only operation in which you drive, you operate in excepted interstate commerce and do not need a Federal medical examiner’s certificate
• If you drive for more than just the above activities, you operate in non-excepted interstate commerce and are required to provide a current medical examiner’s certificate (49 CFR 391.45), commonly referred to as a medical certificate or DOT card, to your SDLA. Most CDL holders who drive CMVs in interstate commerce are non-excepted interstate commerce drivers
• If you operate in both excepted interstate commerce and non-excepted interstate commerce, you must choose non-excepted interstate commerce to be qualified to operate in both types of interstate commerce

Intrastate Commerce:

• You operate in excepted intrastate commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce activities which your State of licensure has determined do not require you to meet the State’s medical certification requirements
• You operate in non-excepted intrastate commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce and are required to meet your State of licensure’s medical certification requirements
• If you operate in both excepted intrastate commerce and non-excepted intrastate commerce, you must choose non-excepted intrastate commerce

Step 3: Provide your State Driver Licensing Agency with your self-certification of your operating status. If you self-certify to non-excepted interstate, you must provide your SDLA with either the original or copy of your current medical examiner’s certificate as required by your SDLA.

If your medical examiner’s certificate is only valid with a variance granted by FMCSA, you may also be asked by your SDLA to provide a copy of that variance document.

To determine if a violation is attributed to either a motor carrier or an IEP during a roadside inspection, see “Intermodal Equipment Violation Attribution.”

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

You may file a complaint electronically using the National Consumer Complaint Database or by dialing the toll-free number at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238). The HOTLINE is a nationwide toll-free number where consumers, movers and brokers can call between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday through Friday Eastern Time.

If you feel you may been scammed by a household goods moving company, broker or other carrier, contact FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database online or toll-free at: 1-888-368-7238.

Consumers may also report an allegation of household goods fraud to the OIG's Fraud Hotline using any of the following methods:

Online: OIG Hotline Complaint Form

Call: 1-800-424-9071

E-mail: hotline@oig.dot.gov

Mail: DOT Inspector General, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, West Bldg. 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20590

Your complaint could trigger a federal investigation. Learn more at ProtectYourMove.gov.

Spanish

^{_{To change your company’s Legal Business and/or “doing business as” (DBA) name(s) associated with your Operating Authority registration, you can follow these steps:}}

1. ^{_{Obtain the necessary form: To complete a name change request, you will need to submit the MCSA-5889 - Motor Carrier Records Change Form.}}
2. ^{_{Fill out the form: Fill out the MCSA-5889 form with accurate and up-to-date information. To complete the MCSA-5589 form for a name change request, complete the following sections:}}
   1. ^{_{Section A – Complete Section A with the current Legal Business and/or DBA name on file with FMCSA.}}
   2. ^{_{Section C – Complete Section C with the updated Legal Business and/or DBA name.}}
   3. ^{_{Section E – Provide your payment information so FMCSA may process the $14 fee associated with a name change request. Please note, if your operating authority application is “Pending,” there is no fee required and Section E can be left blank.}}
3. ^{_{Gather supporting documents: Along with the MCSA-5889 form, you will need to provide supporting documents that verify the name change.}}
   1. ^{_{Sole Proprietors/Partnerships: Documents may include a marriage/death certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal documentation.}}
   2. ^{_{Corporations: Documents may include Certificates of Amendment (typically includes the old and new company names); Amended Articles of Incorporation; Articles of Incorporation in cases where the Secretary of State does not provide Articles of Amendment.}}
   3. ^{_{All Requestors: The Company Officer signing the Applicant’s Oath in Section A of Form MCSA-5889 must also submit a copy of his/her current Driver’s License.}}
4. ^{_{Submit the request: Once you have completed the MCSA-5889 form and gathered all the required supporting documents, submit the request and documentation to FMCSA. You may submit your documents by either:}}
   1. ^{_{Submitting a Ticket to the FMCSA Contact Center (complete the required fields and upload your documents).}}
   2. ^{_{Faxing the form and supporting documents to 202-366-3477.}}
5. ^{_{After the documents are submitted: Once you have submitted the name change request along with all the required documentation, the form will be reviewed for processing.}}
   1. ^{_{Requests are processed in the order that they are received. For additional information about processing times for registration forms, please see our FMCSA Registration Forms page.}}
   2. ^{_{Once FMCSA notifies you that your request has been processed, please allow 24-48 hours for the new name to be visible on the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance Public website. You can verify the updated information there.}}
   3. ^{_{Additionally, a hard copy of the Re-entitlement letter will be mailed to you via the United States Postal Service (USPS). You can also print the letter via the Daily FMCSA Registration Decisions.}}

^{_{FMCSA may contact you for additional information regarding your name change request.}}

^{_{After FMCSA issues your Re-entitlement letter, the amended BOC-3 form and proof of insurance filings need to be filed with FMCSA within thirty (30) days of the name change. Your operating authority registration will be at risk of being revoked if the amended BOC-3 form and insurance requirement are not updated in a timely manner. For more information on insurance requirements, visit our Insurance Requirements webpage.}} 

A process agent is a legal representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each state in which it is authorized to operate and for each state traversed during such operations (using Form BOC-3). Brokers are required to list process agents in each state in which they have an office and in which they write contracts. Many commercial firms will arrange process agents in any state for a fee.

Carriers who operate exclusively in either Alaska or Hawaii need only designate a process agent in that state.

Mexican carriers operating in the Commercial Zone need only designate a process agent in the states they will be operating in.

A list of process agents can be found in the instruction packet accompanying an application or on our website.

FMCSA does not issue commercial drivers’ licenses; they are issued by the individual state driver licensing agencies (SDLA).

See also our background information on the commercial driver’s license program.

You can may also want to find your state in this index of state government agencies.

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

If you already have a USDOT number, you must complete the appropriate motor carrier operating authority forms (OP-1 series) and submit them to FMCSA for processing. Please read the instructions for the appropriate OP-series form carefully to avoid errors.

If you do not already have a US DOT number or other authority, you must begin the online registration process via our Unified Registration System. This process requires a credit card.

There is a $300 fee for each operating authority requested.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLY FOR THE CORRECT TYPE OF MOTOR CARRIER OPERATING AUTHORITY. THE $300 FILING FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

You must submit the Form MCS-150 and select the reason for filing as “Out of Business.” Please provide a copy (as an attachment) of the Driver’s License from the individual who signed the certification statement either #31 on the Form MCS-150, #37 on the Form MCS-150B, or #22 on the Form MCS-150 C. 

If you have an active operating authority linked to your USDOT Number, you must submit the Form OCE-46 along with the Form MCS-150. The Form OCE-46 must be notarized or signed in the presence of an FMCSA staff member. 

You can submit the completed and signed forms using the following options:

• Submit a ticket via the FMCSA Registration Contact webpage. 
• Fax: You can fax the completed and signed form and letter to 202-366-3477. 

Please note FMCSA strongly encourages users to submit a ticket via the FMCSA Registration Contact webpage for a faster processing time.

If you would like to suspend operations, you can request voluntary revocation of operating authority (OA) registration by following the steps below:

Step 1: Verify your current Operating Authority registration status.

Step 2: Fill out Form OCE-46

Complete Form OCE-46 to request Voluntary Revocation of your authority (MC/MX/FF). 

The form must be notarized or signed in the presence of a FMCSA staff member.

Step 3: Fill out Form MCS-150 or MCS-150B to: (A) Inactivate or (B) Update USDOT registration

 A) To inactivate your USDOT number, follow these steps:

1. Complete either an updated MCS-150 or MCS-150B form (for Hazmat Carriers).
2. In the "reason for filing" section of the form, check the box labeled "Out of Business Notification." This applies even if your company remains in operation for other purposes.
3. Ensure that you complete items 1-16 and 30-31 on the form.
4. Include a copy of a Driver's License from the individual who signed either #31 on the MCS-150 or #37 on the MCS-150B certification statement (as an attachment).

B) To update your USDOT (to continue operations that do not require Operating Authority):

1. Update ONLINE via your FMCSA Portal account. Don't have an FMCSA Portal Account to Make Online Changes? ; or
2. Complete and submit either an updated MCS-150 or MCS-150B form (for Hazmat Carriers).
   1. In the "reason for filing" section of the form, check the box labeled "Biennial Update or Changes."
   2. Ensure that you complete all applicable items 1-16, 21, 30-31 and any others where information has changed since the last update.
   3. Include a copy of a Driver's License from the individual who signed either #31 on the MCS-150 or #37 on the MCS-150B certification statement (as an attachment).

Step 4: Submit Your Form(s)

You can submit the completed and signed forms using one of the following options (expect up to 8 days for review and processing):

• Submit a ticket. This is the quickest option, and you will receive a confirmation number via email.
• Fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477.
• Mail to:
  
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  Office of Registration (MC-RS)
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room W65-206
  Washington, D.C. 20590

Your mover is responsible for the value of the goods you asked them to transport. There are two types of moving company liability coverage interstate movers must offer their customers: full value protection or released value protection. With full value protection, your mover is liable for the total replacement value of any lost or damaged items in your shipment. With released value protection, there’s no additional cost but you’ll only receive up to 60 cents per pound for an item.

This liability coverage is different from a moving company’s own business liability insurance which typically covers their facilities, equipment, vehicles, and employees. You can read about the two types of liability in the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet.

If you select released value from your mover, you may want to buy movers insurance from a third party. Before buying insurance, check your homeowner’s policy to see if you’re already covered.