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.  

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. 

If using a virtual office location, 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

If your motor carrier company is closing its operations or ceasing to function as a "motor carrier," follow the instructions here.  

To reinstate or reactivate your operating authority (MC, FF, or MX Docket Number), you must first:

• File your Proof of Insurance and Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) with FMCSA. Please see our Insurance Requirements website for more information; and
• Motor Carriers Only: Have an active USDOT Number with up-to-date contact information on file. Our systems will not allow users to request reinstatement if the USDOT Number is Inactive or Out of Service. You may submit a MCS-150 Form along with your reinstatement request to update your information.

The cost to request a reinstatement is $80.00. Authority is typically active within a week of application receipt and valid payment. FMCSA will notify you if your application is on hold, pending additional information or in vetting under review.

Passenger Carriers Only: You cannot request reinstatement if you have been placed Out of Service for being an "imminent hazard" or due to a final unsatisfactory safety rating ("UNSAT/UNFIT). Instead, re-apply for operating authority by using a paper OP-1(P) application form and paying the $300 application fee.

We are continuing to experience mailing delays due to COVID-19 and recommend that you request reinstatement using the below options. If you do choose to mail in your application and payment, please note that the processing time may take up to 8 weeks.

• Option 1: Request reinstatement online with your USDOT PIN here
• Option 2: Send a 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). This is the fastest option and you will receive a confirmation number by email.
  
  Note: You may also use this same form to request name and address changes at the same time.
• Option 3: Fax the MCSA-5889 Form to 202-366-3477
• Option 4: Mail the MCSA-5889 Form with payment to:
  
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  P.O. Box 6200-33
  Portland, OR 97228-6200

In general, companies that do the following are required to have interstate operating authority (MC number) in addition to a DOT number:

• Operating as for-hire carriers (for a fee or other compensation)
• Transporting passengers, or arranging for their transport, in interstate commerce
• Transporting federally regulated commodities or arranging for their transport, in interstate commerce

As of December 12, 2015, all entities applying through the Unified Registration System will obtain a USDOT number.

Operating Authority means the registration required by 49 U.S.C. 13902, 49 CFR part 365, 49 CFR part 368, and 49 CFR 392.9a.

FMCSA operating authority is also referred to as an "MC," "FF," or "MX" number, depending on the type of authority that is granted. Unlike the USDOT Number application process, a company may need to obtain multiple operating authorities to support its planned business operations. Operating Authority dictates the type of operation a company may run and the cargo it may carry. Mexico-domiciled carriers may click here for information on registering with FMCSA.

New Applicants must register online via the Unified Registration System. They will be issued a USDOT number and an MC/MX/FF number. Existing entities that already have a USDOT number and/or MC/MX/FF number must apply via the OP-1 series forms, or online (click here), providing their existing USDOT number (and MC/MX/FF numbers, if they are applying for an additional authority.)

All of this also dictates the level of insurance/financial responsibilities a company must maintain. Carriers not required to have operating authority include:

• Private carriers (carriers that transport their own cargo)
• "For-hire" carriers that exclusively haul exempt commodities (cargo that is not federally regulated
• Carriers that operate exclusively within a federally designated "commercial zone" that is exempt from interstate authority rules. A commercial zone is, for example, a geographic territory that includes multiple states bordering on a major metropolitan city, such as Virginia/Maryland/Washington, DC

More information on motor carrier insurance requirements can be found on our web site.

If you have suspended operations, you can request voluntary revocation of operating authority (OA) registration by following the steps below:

Step 1: Verify your current Operating Authority and USDOT 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 Inactivate or Update USDOT registration

 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).

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

1. Update online using your USDOT PIN; 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:

• 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 and Safety Information (MC-RS)

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room W65-206

Washington, D.C. 20590

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

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 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.

There is a $14 fee for a name change.

There are several ways to request a name change:

Online: You can request the change (requires a credit card and your USDOT PIN) online via our online registration website. Select "Filing a name change" and click "Continue." Please see the attached instructions for this process. Click here for information on getting your USDOT PIN. 

Submit a Ticket: If you are changing your legal or trade name and paying by credit card, you can upload a completed, printed, and signed MCSA-5889 Motor Carrier Records Change Form by submitting a ticket through our website at: Ask FMCSA using the Submit Us a Ticket icon at the top of the page. This is the fastest option, and you will receive a confirmation number by email. 

Fax: If you would like to submit your name change form via fax (legal or trade name) and are paying by credit card, please fax a completed, printed and signed MCSA-5889 Motor Carrier Records Change Form to 202-366-3477

Mail: If you would like to mail your name change (legal or trade name) and are paying with a personal check, cashier's check or money order, please send a completed and signed MCSA-5889 Motor Carrier Records Change Form to FMCSA, via the following method. Please note: paying by check may delay processing of your name change for 6-8 weeks, due to mail delays before and after the check is cashed:

• Regular Mail:
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  P. O. Box 6200-33
  Portland, OR 97228-620
• Overnight express mail:
  U.S. Bank Government Lockbox 
  Attn: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 6200-33
  17650 NE Sandy Blvd.
  Portland, OR  97230
• If you prefer to mail your name change and pay by credit card, you may mail your form with all the above information to:
  US Department of Transportation
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  Office of Registration and Safety Information (MC-RS)
  Room W65-206
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
  Washington, D.C. 20590

All completed MCSA-5889 forms must contain:

• Your DOT/MC numbers on each page
• Your contact phone number/e-mail address
• Your current address
• The current company name
• The new company name

If you are a sole proprietor or partnership, you must put your name/partnership name plus the "doing business as" name, if it's different.

For information on when a new USDOT number is required during a name change, ownership change or form of business change, click here.

If you are a corporation/LLC, you must register with the state first, then when you have received articles of incorporation from the state, fax a copy to 202-366-3477 with your completed MCSA-5889 or upload it as an attachment to our web form along with the MCSA-5889.

Please note that while you may have submitted a request for a name change on line or via the mail, NO NAME CHANGES WILL BE MADE UNTIL WE HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION. Name changes are usually completed within 7 business days after all required information is complete.

In addition, if you change the name associated with your US DOT number (via the MCS-150 form), it is NOT automatically changed on your MC number as well. You still need to go through the MC number name change procedure. If you change the name associated with your MC number, however, the name is also changed for your US DOT number.

For instructions on changing the company name on JUST your USDOT number record, click here.

Biennial updates can be completed online or by submitting the proper MCS-150 form.

Online: If your USDOT Number is active, you may update your registration online. Detailed instructions are attached to this FAQ.

Submit a form: Download the proper MCS-150 form: MCS-150 (Motor carriers), MCS-150B (Motor Carriers with HazMat Permit), or MCS-150C (Intermodal Equipment Providers); Submit the completed and signed form using one of the options below:

• Submit a ticket through our website at:  Ask FMCSA using the Submit Us a Ticket icon at the top of the page, completing the required fields, and uploading 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 – Refer to the mailing instructions on the form. This option will delay processing, we recommend the options above.

You can call 800-832-5660 to have an MCS-150 form mailed to you. Once you have completed the form, you can mail it to the address indicated on the form or submit it as indicated above. You cannot make updates verbally over the telephone; a signed form is required.

Biennial updates are processed immediately if done online, but updates filed by email, fax or mail may take three to four weeks to process.

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

Verify the USDOT number status on the SAFER Company Snapshot web page. If the status reads “Record Inactive” or “Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4); Biennial update of MCS-150 data not completed” you will need to complete, sign and submit a new Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) to reactivate the USDOT Number.

Click here to obtain the Form MCS-150 and directions. Please use forms directly from our website as other places may include expired forms by mistake. FMCSA does not accept expired versions of the MCS-150, MCS-150B and MCS-150C forms. 

If your USDOT status reads “Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4); Biennial update of MCS-150 data not completed” on the SAFER Company Snapshot, for fastest service, we encourage our customers to use their USDOT PIN and reactivate online here. Click here to request a new PIN or reset your existing PIN so you may reactivate online.

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

Click here if you also need to reinstate operating authority if it has been revoked. To avoid processing delays, please make sure you first have an active, up-to-date USDOT Number record before requesting reinstatement – or – submit a completed MCS-150 form along with your reinstatement request.

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

There are three ways to submit your address (or phone number/email address) change request:

• Online: Address changes can be requested via the Licensing & Insurance (L&I) system. Select “Filing a change of address” and click “Continue.” Please note that you must have a credit card and USDOT PIN to submit the request;
• Submit Form MCSA-5889: Complete and sign the MCSA-5889 Motor Carrier Records Change Form, then submit using one of the options below:
  • Option 1: Fastest option and you will receive a confirmation number by email - Submit a ticket through our site at Ask FMCSA using the Submit Us a Ticket icon at the top of the page.
  • Option 2: You can fax the form to 202-366-3477. Please do not fax it more than once, as that will delay the process.
  • Option 3: You can mail the form to:
    
    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    Office of Registration and Safety Information (MC-RS)
    Licensing Team, 6th Floor
    1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
    Washington, D.C. 20590

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

If you would like to update your USDOT# record, click here.

To check whether your operating authority has been issued (granted), go to the Licensing and Insurance website. If you have received a certificate of authority and/or your authority is listed as transed in L&I, you are approved to operate.

Click "Continue," then open the pull-down menu in the upper right

• Select "Carrier Search” and click "Go" 
• Enter MC Number or USDOT Number in the appropriate box 
• Click the box next to "I'm not a robot" and perform the verification task
• Click "Search"
• When the Carrier Search result comes up, click “HTML”
• Scroll to bottom and click on “Authority History.” This page will display the granted date of the operating authority

Normally, operating authority documents are sent out within 3-4 business days. If 10 or more business days have passed since the grant date and you have not yet received the operating authority document, call 800-832-5660 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time for assistance. You can submit a ticket through at Ask FMCSA using Submit Us a Ticket.

If you need to request a copy of your certificate of operating authority issued in the past, contact FMCSA at the above phone number, or submit a ticket through our site at Ask FMCSA using Submit Us a Ticket.

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

In general, a USDOT Number is required if you are operating in interstate commerce and meet the following criteria:

• You have vehicles that are over 10,000 lbs. (GVWR, GCWR, GVW or GCW)
• You transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, whether direct or indirect
• You transport 16 or more passengers
• You haul hazardous materials

Click here for a step-by-step tool that helps you determine whether you need a USDOT or MC number. There is no charge to get a USDOT number. For more information on how to get a USDOT number, please see the FAQ "How do I get a US DOT number?" For some definitions of FMCSA terms, click here.

If you would like information on getting operating authority as a for-hire carrier (MC/MX/FF numbers), click here.

If you are an existing company changing your form of business, click here. 

The compliance date for this requirement (49 CFR 390.19) occurred November 1, 2013.

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

• Before it begins operations
• Whenever there is a change in information (address, telephone number, email, # power units, etc.)
• 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.

You can file a biennial update prior to the time that an update is due. FMCSA considers any update of an MCS-150 or MCS-150C that was completed by a motor carrier, Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP), or carrier that has been issued a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP) at any time during the 12 months immediately preceding the biennial update due date to satisfy the biennial update requirement.

To find out the current status of your USDOT number, click here to search by name or number at the SAFER Company Snapshot.