To register for a USDOT number, you can apply online through the FMCSA's Unified Registration System (URS). The URS system will guide you through the registration process and help you determine what other registrations, permits, or authorities you may need. Before you register for a USDOT number, it is recommended that you review the FMCSA's guidance on registration requirements and ensure that you have all the necessary information and documentation. Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive a USDOT number that must be displayed on your vehicles and used in all your company's transportation-related activities.

For more information about registering with the FMCSA, go to the FMCSA Registration page. 

To find the status of an existing company/USDOT#, click here for the SAFER Company Snapshot page.

If your USDOT Number is active, online updates can be made via your FMCSA Portal account. Don't have an FMCSA Portal Account to Make Online Changes? 

If your number is inactive, you will need to submit a paper form. See our Registration Forms page for more information.

Check SAFER to verify your current USDOT Number status.

Biennial Update

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all entities under its jurisdiction to update their information every two years. You are required to provide this update every two years even if your company has not changed its information, has ceased interstate operations since the last update, or is no longer in business and you did not notify FMCSA.

Failure to complete a Biennial Update will result in deactivation of your USDOT number and may result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000.

Updating your information is free. We have included instructions below to help you complete your biennial update.

• Deadlines for Filing an Update
• Update via the FMCSA Ask Website
• Update via US Mail (may delay the process)

What is the Deadline to Update?

Filing schedule: Each motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider must file the appropriate form at the following times:

• Before it begins operations; and
• Every 24 months according to the following schedule:

If the next-to-last digit of its USDOT Number is odd, the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider shall file its update in every odd-numbered calendar year. If the next-to-last digit of the USDOT Number is even, the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider shall file its update in every even-numbered calendar year.

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.

The cost for each individual Operating Authority is a one-time fee of $300. Separate filing fees must be submitted with the application at the time of processing for each Authority sought. For instance, requests for Passenger Authority and Household Goods Authority will require two $300 fees ($600). Payments can be combined. If both authorities are the same type (like common and contract carrier authorities for property), there is only one fee. FILING FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

There is a $14 charge for processing of a name change and an $80 fee for requesting reinstatement of an authority if it is revoked. For more information on operating authority fees, click here.

You can file for the following operating authorities with the OP-1 Application For Motor Property Carrier and Broker Authority (definitions can be found in 49 CFR 390.5):

• Motor Common Carrier of Property except Household Goods
• Motor Contract Carrier of Property except Household Goods
• Motor Common Carrier of Household Goods
• Motor Contract Carrier of Household Goods
• Broker of Property except Household Goods
• United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo (except Household Goods)
• United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Goods
• United States-based Enterprise Owned or Controlled by Persons of Mexico Providing Truck Services for the Transportation of International Household Goods
• OP-1(FF) — Application for Freight Forwarder Authority
• OP-1(P) — Application for Motor Passenger Carrier Authority
• OP-1(MX) — Application to Register Mexico-based Carriers for Motor Authority to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.-Mexico Border
• OP-2 — Application for Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers under 49 U.S.C. 1302

No. URS stands for "Unified Registration System," 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. You can learn more about URS at this page.

UCR stands for "Unified Carrier Registration," which is not an FMCSA program. It refers to an agreement among the states set up by Congress governing the collection and distribution of registration information and UCR fees paid to states by motor carriers, private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 14504a.  The fees collected support state motor carrier safety activities. For more information, click here.

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.

To reactivate your USDOT number, you must submit complete and submit the appropriate MCS-150 series form, as applicable to your company. Please note that FMCSA strongly recommends using forms directly from our website as other online places may include expired forms by mistake. FMCSA does not accept expired versions of the MCS-150, MCS-150B and MCS-150C forms. 

If you are reactivating your USDOT Number after a New Entrant revocation, click here as there are separate instructions to follow.

If you also need to reinstate your operating authority, click here for separate instructions. 

To verify your current USDOT number status, visit our SAFER Company Snapshot web page. 

If you have questions about your USDOT status, please contact us by phone, email or chat. We can also walk you through the process on your computer using our co-browse functionality.

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 check the status of your operating authority registration (MC/FF/MX number) or application, follow these steps:

1. Visit the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance website.
2. Enter your MC Number or USDOT Number in the appropriate field.
3. Complete the CAPTCHA verification by checking the box next to “I’m not a robot.”
4. Click Search.
5. On the Carrier Search results page, click the "HTML" link under the “View Details” column.
6. Review the “Authority Status” column to confirm the current registration status.
7. To check the status of a pending application, click the “Application Pending” link at the bottom of the page.
8. For a record of historical application activity, click on the “Authority History” link at the bottom of the page.

Additional Notes:

• Operating authority documents are typically received via mail within 3–4 business days.
• You may also obtain an immediate electronic copy of your certificate, permit, or license by visiting the FMCSA Daily Registration Decisions page.
• For further assistance, contact FMCSA at 800-832-5660, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, or submit an inquiry through the Ask FMCSA page.

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

The FMCSA's policy is to assign a unique USDOT identification number to each person required to identify themself with FMCSA under 49 U.S.C. 13902, 31134 and 49 C.F.R. 390.19T or 390.200T.  USDOT numbers are not transferable and are assigned to only one person and remain assigned to that person forever.  A person includes an individual, corporation, partnership, or other business organization as authorized by state law.  Each separate and distinct person must have separate registration.

For corporations, partnerships and other business organizations, the USDOT number will remain the same when there is a change in company officials, address or other demographic information, and the corporation, partnership, or other business organization will continue operations as the same legal person/entity. In case of a change in demographic information, the motor carrier is required to file an updated Form MCS-150, Motor Carrier Identification Report, within 30 days of the change. 

We will allow a sole proprietor to maintain its USDOT number when it changes its current form of business, and the new entity will continue to operate virtually the same (absent the form of business change) as before the change.  There would be no change in company officials, address, or other demographic information and the new entity will maintain identical operations, employees and assets.  We will permit a change in the Tax ID number based on the new articles of incorporation.

It is important to note that the regulation has not changed.  The Office of Registration and Safety Information is often asked whether a new USDOT number is or is not required following motor carrier ownership, form of business, or operational changes.  The office recently provided clarification and direction for what must be done when these situations arise.

If you perform trade, traffic, or transportation exclusively in your business’s domicile state, this is considered intrastate commerce.

If your trade, traffic, or transportation is one of the following, this is considered interstate commerce. Source: 49 CFR 390.5.:

• Between a place in a state and a place outside of such state (including a place outside of the United States)
• Between two places in a state through another state or a place outside of the United States
• Between two places in a state as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or the United States