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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

An authorized for-hire motor carrier transports passengers, regulated property or household goods owned by others for compensation. If you are a for-hire carrier, in addition to the USDOT number you will also need to obtain operating authority (MC number).

You can review the different types of authority by clicking here.

For information on how to apply for for-hire authority, click here.

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.

You are no longer licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Your SDLA will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted interstate commerce.

You can find contact information for your state’s driver licensing agency on the USA.gov website.

For more information, click here. 

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 FMCSA determines the safety audit discloses the new entrant has adequate basic safety management controls, the Agency will provide the new entrant written notice as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after completion of the safety audit, that it has adequate basic safety management controls. The new entrant’s safety performance will continue to be closely monitored for the remainder of the 18-month period of new entrant registration.

A broker must maintain a surety bond or a trust fund agreement in the amount of $75,000 to comply with FMCSA’s financial security requirements.

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

No, you are not considered a Motor Carrier of Household Goods (HHG), and do not need HHG Operating Authority registration. The term “Motor Carrier of Household Goods” does not include any motor carrier that delivers furniture, appliances, or other furnishings between a factory or a store and an individual's household.  If you are not a moving company, you are not considered a Motor Carrier of Household Goods (HHG).

A Motor Carrier of Household Goods (HHG) is an authorized for-hire Motor Carrier that transports only household goods for the public in exchange for payment based on published tariff rates.  HHG carriers are paid to transport/move someone’s possessions from one “dwelling/office” location to another “dwelling/office” location.
HHG motor carriers also offer some or all the following additional services:  binding and nonbinding estimates; inventorying; protective packing and unpacking of individual items at personal residences; and/or loading and unloading at personal residences.  

Note: Motor Carriers of Household Goods must file proof of both public liability (BI & PD) and cargo insurance with FMCSA to obtain interstate Operating Authority.

Yes, you will keep the same MC number if you change your name. However, you will not receive a new certificate or permit, but you will receive a re-entitlement decision which should be attached to your original operating authority.

For information on how to change the name on your operating authority, click here.

There are situations where a legal name change, ownership change or form of business change may require a new USDOT number. For more information, click here.

First-time broker applicants who don't already have a US DOT number or other operating authority must register online with the FMCSA via the Unified Registration System (URS).

If you already have a US DOT number and/or other operating authority, you must apply by submitting the OP-1 form to FMCSA until URS is fully implemented. Please note: on January 17, 2017, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice suspending the January 14 and April 14, 2017 URS effectiveness dates.

For more information on registering as a broker, click here.

After the MC Number has been assigned, to complete the application process, brokers must also take the following steps:

• For brokers of property: Proof of Insurance Coverage: a Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement (Form BMC-85) in the amount of $75,000
• For brokers of household goods: Proof of Insurance Coverage: a Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement (Form BMC-84) in the amount of $75,000
• Form BOC-3, Designation of Process Agent Form (brokers may designate themselves as their own process agents in the State in which they are writing contracts)
• Application processing fee: $300 (non-refundable)
• Application processing time: Approximately 4-6 weeks

Note: Effective October 2013 all bonds for brokers increased to $75,000.00.

Your best option is to renew them prior to the expiration date. If your certificate does expire, you must have a new medical examination and obtain a new medical certificate. You must then provide the State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) the new medical examiner’s certificate. You are also responsible for applying to FMCSA for a renewal of your variance per CFR§391.51(b)(8)

For a copy of the medical examiner’s certificate, see Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875 located in CFR§391.43(f)

You can find contact information for your state’s driver licensing agency on the USA.gov website.

To search for a medical examiner, click here.

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.

You cannot transport regulated commodities in interstate commerce (for hire) until you have obtained operating authority (certificate and/or permit) and received your single-state registration. The act of applying for operating authority is not sufficient. You cannot operate until the certificate and/or permit has been issued.

If you are transporting exempt commodities (see below) and have a USDOT number, you may operate as an exempt for-hire interstate motor carrier without an MC number. You are still required to abide by your state regulations.

On our website you will find Administrative Ruling No. 119, which is a guide to what is and is not exempt. The booklet no longer is in print, but the information still is accurate. The list of exempt commodities changes, but this can be used as a general guide. A list of non-exempt commodities can be found in the FMCSR in Section 372.115.

Who is eligible to obtain temporary authority?

A motor or passenger carrier wishing to apply for temporary operating authority registration authorizing for-hire commercial motor and passenger vehicle operations, while providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting supplies, equipment and persons into or from the zone where the emergency is taking place.

When is temporary authority available?

Applications for temporary authority require a determination that there is, or soon will be, an immediate transportation need that cannot be met by existing motor carrier service.  49 CFR 365.107T(f). Such applications are only entertained in exceptional circumstances, during natural disasters or national emergencies.  49 CFR 365.107T(g).  In most circumstances, the Agency will only entertain applications for temporary authority when an emergency declaration has been issued, consistent with 49 CFR 390.23.

Where can I find information on current emergency declarations?

Go to https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency for links to current FMCSA emergency declarations. The temporary authority is only active as long as the emergency declaration is in effect. All temporary authorities will be revoked once the emergency declaration expires.

How can a carrier apply for this temporary authority?

• If a carrier does not have a USDOT number, they must apply for one by submitting a signed MCS-150 form (write “Emergency Temporary Authority” at the top) with their OP-1, rather than filing via URS. To access the MCS-150 form, click here. Carriers that are subject to an FMCSA Out of Service Order are not eligible for temporary authority.
• A carrier must file a signed form OP-1 with “Emergency Temporary Authority” written at the top along with the specific Emergency Declaration found at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations by fax/web form rather than online. To access form OP-1, click here. You can submit it by:
  • Submitting a ticket through our website at: ask.fmcsa.dot.gov. Select Inquiry Type: Operating Authority (Docket Number) > Request temporary operating authority due to an emergency declaration – This is the fastest option; or
  • Fax: 202-366-3477 (Put “Emergency Temporary Authority” on the fax cover sheet)
• The application fee has been waived.  
• The carrier must also file proof of insurance and have form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) on file with FMCSA. For more information on insurance requirements click here, and for and BOC-3 requirements, click here.
• Pursuant to 49 CFR 365.107T(g), the carrier is also required to provide a statement on why they need temporary operating authority, appended to Form OP-1 for property carriers, Form OP-1(MX) for Mexican property carriers and, Form OP-1(P) for motor passenger carriers.

How long does it take for temporary authority to be granted?

OP-1 applications for temporary authority should be processed within 48 business hours of receipt. However, the authority will not be granted until the carrier’s evidence of financial responsibility (insurance) and BOC-3 form are on file with FMCSA.

The authority is valid for 120 days or until the emergency declaration expires, whichever comes first.

If a carrier wishes to apply for permanent authority, they need to apply using the same MC/USDOT number granted for the temporary authority. The applicant would be required to pay the $300 fee for permanent operating authority registration, as well. For more information, click here.

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.