A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is defined as any motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport property or passengers when the vehicle:

• • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is single or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or more than 15 passengers if not receiving compensation for the transportation.
  • Any size vehicle that transports hazardous materials that require federal placarding

On the other hand, a non-Commercial Motor Vehicle would not meet the above criteria. For example, consider a vehicle where either the power unit alone or when combined with a trailer does not meet the minimum weight threshold of 10,001 pounds. For instance, a pickup truck with a GVWR of 7,000 pounds and a trailer with a GVWR of 2,000 pounds would not qualify as a CMV.

Visit the vehicle configuration page to learn more about the different types of CMVs

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

As of January 1, 2024, users will be required to use Login.gov to access their FMCSA Portal account.  Username and Password will no longer be available. If you don't have a Login.gov account yet, you must set up an account using your FMCSA Portal account email address in order to link the accounts.

The Federal Cybersecurity plan under White House Executive Order 14028, Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, and Office of Budget Memorandum M-22-09, Moving the U.S. Government Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles (Federal Zero Trust Strategy) requires all Federal agencies to adopt secure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to enhance information security by Dec. 31, 2023.

As FMCSA introduces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to its systems, all users with credentials for any FMCSA system will be required to transition to a Login.gov account in lieu of their current credentials to access FMCSA systems.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a method to verify your identity requiring two or more pieces of evidence (factors). These factors can be something you know (like a password), something you have (like an access card) or something you are (like facial recognition or fingerprint). 

You cannot designate as your PPOB any location where your entity is not actively engaged in business operations. FMCSA will not accept a P.O. Box, a private mailbox, post office box centers that hold mail or packages for pickup, or other location with no legal or functional relationship to the applicant’s business including process agents. 

The entity’s physical address or PPOB is the designated central location where the company is engaged in business operations.  Normally, this is where officials routinely report to work, and where safety records and/or business records are regularly maintained.  

The entity must make safety records available for inspection at this location within 48 hours upon FMCSA’s request.  

When submitting FMCSA Registration forms, all required fields must be complete and required supporting documentation must be attached.  Incomplete applications are returned to the applicant and must be resubmitted, which delays the process. 

Note: Each form is prefaced with detailed instructions to assist filling out the form.  

7 reasons your MCS-150 may be incomplete and not processed: 

• Sending expired forms 
  Ensure you have the latest version. The expiration date is located at the top right of each page of the form.  The current FMCSA Registration forms are here. 

• Acceptable form of ID not submitted  
  With exception of New Applications, a Driver’s License of the individual signing the form must be submitted (and must match a company officer listed on Line 30). An MCS-150 form to request updates cannot be processed until the proper Driver’s License is submitted and verified. 

• Section 1 – Legal Business Name  
  The name must match the company name on record unless you are requesting a Name Change.  In that case, Articles of Incorporation or Amendment are required. If your company has Operating Authority, an Operating Authority Name Change request is required. 

• Section 22 and 23 must correspond (Interstate + Authorized For-Hire) 
  If Interstate and Authorized For-Hire are selected but the company does not currently have an Operating Authority, the form cannot be accepted. You must either apply for Operating Authority or make the appropriate selection on the MCS-150 and resubmit the form. 

• Section 24 and 25 must correspond (Motor Vehicles, Driveaway/Towaway and Class 9/Carried/Non-Bulk)  

If Motor Vehicles or Driveaway/Towaway is selected on line 24, Class 9, Carried, and Non-bulk must be checked on line 25 (for miscellaneous hazardous material like flammable liquids). 

• Section 31 - Company Officer Signature (i.e., owner, president, partner) 
  A signature is required and must match a company officer listed on line 30  

• Section 31 - Filing Date  

If you update your MCS-150 online, the system will be updated as of that date.  If you send a paper MCS-150 on the same date or earlier, it cannot be processed. Ensure the date on your MCS-150 is greater than the last online update

An application for operating authority is Dismissed if the applicant fails to provide evidence of financial responsibility (proof of insurance) and a designation of process agent Form BOC-3 approximately 90 days from the date of filing of the application. 

A dismissal is the equivalent of a rejection, and you have two options to proceed:  

1. Submit an Appeal: If you have evidence that insurance was filed on time and the dismissal was made in error, you can choose to submit an appeal. Make sure to provide the necessary documentation to support your appeal. 

2. File a New Application: You can file a new application for operating authority. You have the option to apply online or by sending the corresponding OP series form as applicable. Additionally, you will need to pay the appropriate fee of $300 per type of operating authority requested. Applications following a rejection/dismissal must be filed under the same USDOT and MC/FF numbers.   

Important Note:  Any subsequent applications following a rejection or dismissal cannot be filed via the Unified Registration System.  

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.

For questions regarding transportation of hazardous materials, cylinders, scuba tanks, etc., please contact the The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). 

• Website: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
• Toll-free Number: 1-800-HMR-4922 (1-800-467-4922)
• Alternative Phone Number: 202-366-4488.

For the PHMSA regional offices, the site is: Offices | PHMSA (dot.gov)

For Hazmat Regulations and Interpretations, the site is: Regulations and Compliance | PHMSA (dot.gov)

To access HAZMAT regulations and interpretations, please see 49 CFR 171-185. (Note: This link is to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-cfr).

An exempt for-hire motor carrier transports exempt (unregulated) property owned by others for compensation. The exempt commodities usually include unprocessed or unmanufactured goods, fruits and vegetables, and other items of little or no value. 

For a partial listing of exempt and non-exempt commodities, please refer to Administrative Ruling 119.

For information about who needs an MC number, click here.

If you are a motor carrier based in Mexico and plan to operate beyond the commercial zone in the United States, you must register with FMCSA by completing the appropriate forms: MCS-150, OP-1MX and BOC-3 Forms.

To download the forms, click here. 

Please note the online FMCSA registration process is not available for these type of operations at this time. 

More guidance for Mexican carriers is here.

Carriers who transport exempt commodities under part 387, subpart A are still required to maintain proof of financial responsibility on a designated form, the MCS-90, under 387.7(d), but the form is not required to be filed with FMCSA. Pursuant to 387.9, a for-hire property carrier is required to maintain a minimum level of $750,000. The only other reason you could be exempt from the minimum financial responsibility requirement is if you are not operating Commercial Motor Vehicles (i.e., your vehicles are less than 10,001 lbs.). Otherwise, you should have the appropriate documentation of financial responsibility.

Private motor carrier of passengers (business) means a private motor carrier engaged in the interstate transportation of passengers which is provided in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise and is not available to the public at large. 

For example, this would include a company transporting its own employees between job sites, but not selling seats to anyone else.  

Private motor carrier of passengers (nonbusiness) means private motor carrier involved in the interstate transportation of passengers that does not otherwise meet the definition of a private motor carrier of passengers (business). (49 CFR 390.5)

For example, this would include a place of worship transporting people to services or other events, not for a profit.

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.

We updated SAFER to clarify how information is displayed on the website. These updates include how the Company Snapshot defines the operating authority statuses in SAFER. The “NOT AUTHORIZED” message linked to the USDOT Number status resulted in misunderstandings about the statuses of entities. 

 The current operating authority statuses will now be correctly displayed in the Company Snapshot. Operating authority statuses are defined as the following: 

 Operating Authority Status 

•  AUTHORIZED FOR (Passenger, Property, Household Goods [HHG]): This will list the specific operating authorities the carrier (or broker) is allowed to operate. 

• NOT AUTHORIZED: The entity does not have any operating authority and/or is not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations. 

• OUT-OF-SERVICE: Carrier is under any type of out-of-service order and is not authorized to operate. 

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

Please send your CAP to the appropriate FMCSA Office:

Western: AK, American Samoa, AZ, CA, CO, Guam, HI, ID, , MT, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY, Northern Mariana Is.

E-mail: WSCCAP@dot.gov      
Phone: 303-407-2347
Fax: 877-547-0383

Midwestern: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI
E-mail: MSCCAP@dot.gov  
Phone: 708-283-3564
Fax: 877-547-0381

Southern: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN
E-mail: SSCCAP@dot.gov 
Phone: 404-327-7351
Fax: 877-547-0380

Eastern: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VA, VI, VT, WV
E-mail: ESCCAP@dot.gov 
Phone: 443-703-2269
Fax: 877-547-0379