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 (non-business) 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.

Yes. Beginning November 1, 2013, FMCSA is issuing a warning letter by mail to the address on file at least 30 days in advance of a biennial update deadline.

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.

Either the applicant or process agent, on behalf of the applicant, can file Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agents) with the FMCSA. Only one completed form may be on file. It must include all states for which agency designations are required. One copy must be retained by the carrier or broker at its principal place of business.

For more information on filing form BOC-3 with the FMCSA, click here.

Insurance forms must be filed by the insurance company, not the carrier or broker. For information on how insurance companies can make these filings online, click here. 

• Form MCS-82, Motor Carrier Public Liability Surety Bond under Sections 29 and 30 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980
• Form MCS-82B, Motor Carrier Public Liability Surety Bond under Section 18 of the Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982
• Form MCS-90, Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability under Sections 29 and 30 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980
• Form MCS-90B, Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability under Section 18 of the Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982
• Form BMC-34 for proof of cargo liability insurance is used to make cargo insurance filings for household goods carriers with FMCSA. FMCSA do not provide these forms. The insurance company making the filing maintains their own supply of forms. Many insurance carriers are set up to make the required insurance filings with FMCSA electronically
• Form BMC-84 for broker surety bonds is used to make the bond insurance filing for the broker authority with the FMCSA. FMCSA does not provide these forms. The insurance company making the filing maintains their own supply of forms. Many insurance carriers are set up to make the required insurance filings with FMCSA electronically
• Form BMC-85 for broker trust fund agreements is used to make the trust agreement for the broker authority with the FMCSA. This form can only be completed by a financial institution (insured bank, commercial bank or trust company, agency or branch of a foreign bank in the U.S., insured institution of the National Housing Act, a thrift institution, a loan or finance company).
• Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X for proof of bodily injury and property damage (BI & PD) insurance are both used to make liability filings with the FMCSA. FMCSA does not provide these forms. The insurance company making the filing maintains their own supply of forms. Many insurance carriers are set up to make the required insurance filings with FMCSA electronically

For more information about insurance requirements and filings, click here.

Starting on January 30, 2012, when you:

• Apply for a CDL
• Renew a CDL
• Apply for a higher class of CDL
• Apply for a new endorsement on a CDL
• Transfer a CDL from another State

You will be required to self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on your driver license application form. Based on that self-certification, you may need to provide your SDLA with a current medical examiner’s certificate and show any variance you may have to obtain or keep your CDL. Source: 76 FR 70661

A USDOT number usually applies to the company, not a particular branch office or vehicle. Generally the corporate office or headquarters should register the company, and should inform its branches of the USDOT number. For companies with multiple branches, maintaining proper registration with the FMCSA requires good communication between the corporate headquarters and the terminal offices. The company's headquarters then can then interact with the FMCSA to ensure that all of its branches are properly accounted for.

An Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP) is a person or entity that makes intermodal equipment available to motor carriers for interchange.  Additional information and responsibilities are identified in 49 CFR section 390.40 of Subpart C.  

The term “intermodal equipment” refers to trailing equipment (mainly Intermodal containers, chassis but can also include trailers) used in the transportation of cargo by highway in interstate commerce.

An example of an IEP is someone who provides a container chassis to move containers when they come off either a ship or rail. An IEP may provide a chassis which will move the container to a motor carrier or provide the chassis for the intermodal movement.

To register with FMCSA as an IEP, go to the Unified Registration System (URS).

Note: If you are transporting intermodal equipment, it does not mean you would register as an IEP. In this case your entity type would be motor carrier.

To learn about other entity types, check out our How To Identify Entity Types video.

Yes. If you transport hazardous materials in commerce, you are required to register with the FMCSA. This includes both intrastate and interstate transportation of hazardous materials. In addition to registration, you may also need to obtain specific permits or certifications, depending on the nature of the hazardous materials you are transporting. Please refer to the FMCSA website or contact our Hazardous Materials Division for more information on registration requirements and applicable regulations.

If the amount of insurance on file with FMCSA needs to be raised or lowered, please create a ticket. 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.

A broker or freight forwarder who knowingly engages in interstate brokerage or freight forwarding operations without the required operating authority is liable to the United States for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 and can be liable to any injured third party for all valid claims regardless of the amount (49 U.S.C. 14916(c)). The penalties and liability to injured parties apply jointly and severally to all corporations or partnerships involved in the transportation and individually to all officers, directors, and principals of these business forms (49 U.S.C. 14916(d)). Under 49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(3), a broker of household goods (HHG) who engages in interstate operations without the required operating authority is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not less than $25,000 for each violation. Source: 78 FR 54720.

To report such a violation, click here to contact the National Consumer Complaint Database.

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.

After a new entrant satisfies all applicable preoperational requirements, it will be subject to the new entrant safety monitoring procedures for a period of 18 months. During this 18-month period:

• The new entrant’s roadside safety performance will be closely monitored to ensure the new entrant has basic safety management controls that are operating effectively
• A safety audit will be conducted on the new entrant, once it has been in operation for enough time to have sufficient records to allow the agency to evaluate the adequacy of its basic safety management controls
• Failure to demonstrate basic safety management controls may result in the carrier having its new entrant registration revoked

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 online by creating a ticket.

The Unified Registration System (URS) is a new electronic on-line registration system that will streamline and simplify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) registration process and serve as a clearinghouse and depository of information on all entities regulated by the Agency, including motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities. The URS will combine multiple registration processes, information technology systems and forms into a single, electronic online registration process.

Note: The initial phase of URS affected only new registrants (Dec. 12, 2015). Later phases  will affect all regulated entities.

For more information, please see the October 21, 2015 Federal Register Notice.

On January 17, 2017, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice suspending the January 14 and April 14, 2017 URS effectiveness dates.

Puerto Rico is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  Entities engaged in For-Hire (for compensation) and Interstate operations are required to obtain operating authority (MC number).

Even if you're solely operating within Puerto Rico, you may still be required to obtain operating authority (MC number) if the property you're transporting originated from or is destined for another location within the United States. 

No, a broker assumes no responsibility for the shipment and does not touch the shipment. A claim must be filed with the appropriate motor carrier, which usually would be the delivering carrier or the carrier causing the loss. Brokers may, however, assist shippers in filing claims with the motor carrier on the shipper’s behalf.