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.

FMCSA also requires you to update your registration information within 30 days of any change.  FMCSA considers updates completed by a motor carrier, Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP), or Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP) holder if changes are reported within 12 months prior to the biennial update due date.  In which case the entity will not receive a Biennial Update Reminder until the next biennial update due date. 

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

To check a company's safety rating, you can visit the FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) website. On the SAFER website, you can search for a company by name, USDOT number, or MC/MX number. Once you have found the company you are looking for, you can access their safety rating and other important information, such as their inspection and crash history. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact the FMCSA's Safety Compliance and Safety Accountability (CSA) program.

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 reinstate your operating authority (MC, FF, or MX Docket Number), you will be required to:

• Comply to with the minimum financial responsibility requirements and Designation of Process Agent (BOC-3 Form) on file 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 an 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.

Please note: 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). 

You may submit your operating authority reinstatement 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. 

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 would like to suspend operations, you can request voluntary revocation of operating authority (OA) registration by following the steps below:

Step 1: Verify your current Operating Authority 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: (A) Inactivate or (B) Update USDOT registration

 A) 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).

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

1. Update ONLINE via your FMCSA Portal account. Don't have an FMCSA Portal Account to Make Online Changes? ; 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 (expect up to 8 days for review and processing):

• 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 (MC-RS)
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room W65-206
  Washington, D.C. 20590