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.

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.

To interline a shipment is to transfer the shipment between two or more carriers for movement to final destination. For example, where the point of origin is Washington, DC and the final destination is Los Angeles, CA, Motor Carrier “A” may transport a shipment from Washington, DC and then interline with Motor Carrier “B” in San Antonio, TX. Motor Carrier “B” will then complete the transportation of the shipment to Los Angeles, CA.

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.

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.

Once you have your USDOT number, you will be able to operate as a private motor carrier. You will not be able to operate as a for-hire motor carrier until you have operating authority (an active MC number).  For more information on operating authority, click here.

There is a $300 fee for each operating authority requested.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A private motor carrier transports its own cargo, usually as a part of a business that produces, uses, sells and/or buys the cargo that is being hauled. A private motor carrier transports its own goods and is required to have a USDOT number but does not need operating authority (MC number).

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. 

Yes - if you are for-hire and engaging in interstate commerce (crossing state lines, going to the airport or port of entry).

A for-hire passenger carrier is a company that provides transportation of passengers for compensation.

You can be a for-hire passenger carrier regardless of whether:

• You are compensated directly or indirectly for the transportation service provided, or
• The compensation is paid or not paid by the passengers

To apply for passenger carrier authority, first-time applicants must begin the online registration process via our Unified Registration System. This process requires a credit card.

If you already have a US DOT number and/or an additional operating authority, you must apply via our existing application procedures.

Yes if you are operating interstate commerce and one of the following apply to you:

• Your vehicle is designed or used to transport 9 to 15 passengers (including the driver) and is operated for compensation, whether direct or indirect
• Your vehicle is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver)
• Your passenger-carrying vehicle has an actual weight or gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds (4,536 kg) or more

For information on how to apply for a US DOT number, click here.

You are subject to FMCSA regulations if you operate any of the following types of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce:

• A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating (whichever is greater) of 4,537 kg (10,001 lbs.) or more (GVWR, GCWR, GVW or GCW)
• A vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, whether direct or indirect
• A vehicle designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers including the driver and not used for compensation
• Any size vehicle used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100-177). This includes INTRASTATE Hazardous Materials carriers

If you meet the above criteria, you must comply with the applicable U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations concerning:

• Controlled substances and alcohol testing for all persons required to possess a CDL
• Driver qualifications (including medical exams)
• Driving of commercial motor vehicles; parts and accessories necessary for safe operations
• Hours of service
• Inspection, repair and maintenance

You can find FMCSA regulations in the US GPO’s Code of Federal Regulations website. Select the most recent year, then go to Title 49, then parts 300-399.

For some definitions of FMCSA terms, click here.

While an application for FMCSA operating authority is typically granted within 25 business days, the process may be extended if the application requires additional review. This review, referred to as "Vetting", ensures that operating authority applicants demonstrate a willingness and ability to comply with applicable statutes and regulations to obtain and maintain operating authority registration. During the Vetting process, your application will be listed as "Suspended" in FMCSA systems.

FMCSA evaluates, among other things, the following factors to determine whether an operating authority applicant is willing and able to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements:

• The nature and extent of existing or past violations;
• the degree to which existing or past violations will affect, or have affected, the safety of operations, taking into account any crashes, deaths, or injuries associated with the violations;
• whether existing or past regulatory or statutory violations are the result of a willful failure to comply with applicable requirements;
• the existence and nature of pending and closed enforcement actions;
• whether adequate safety management controls exist to ensure acceptable compliance with applicable requirements; and
• the existence of corrective action, if any.

FMCSA does take into account attempts to correct past violations, corrective action and other similar corrective action plans. FMCSA also considers the existence of any mitigating circumstances surrounding the regulated entity's conduct. Additional information about Vetting can be found here.

FMCSA will notify you by e-mail if your application is subject to vetting and by e-mail and/or mail if additional information is needed for the review.  If you don’t hear from FMCSA within 2 weeks from the day you applied for operating authority – and – your application status is Suspended in FMCSA systems, please contact us by webform, phone or chat. 

Once the Vetting process is complete and the application status is changed from Suspended to Accepted in FMCSA systems, you must comply with additional requirements, including your Process Agent Designation (BOC-3 form), proof of insurance and/or surety bond or trust fund agreement. Only then, FMCSA will grant you operating authority. 

Tips to help your application be processed as efficiently as possible:

1. Motor Carriers: Ensure your USDOT Number is in an Active status.
2. Motor Carriers: Provide a valid Principal Place of Business as your physical address. Do not use a P.O. Box, UPS Store, etc.
3. Contact information (phone, e-mail) in FMCSA systems must be valid and up-to-date.
4. Corporations (LLC, Inc., etc.): Make sure your company name on the application matches what you filed with the Secretary of State.
5. Sole Proprietors: Make sure your legal name is your personal name. Trade name/DBA will be your company name.
6. When filing the application for operating authority, remember to answer whether you currently have, or had within the last 3 years of the date of filing the application, any relationships involving common stock, common ownership, common management, common control or familial relationships with any FMCSA-regulated entities.

Depending on the state you are operating in, you may be required to obtain a USDOT number even if you only operate intrastate and your cargo or vehicle never crosses state lines. Some states have their own intrastate regulations that require carriers to obtain a USDOT number, while others may not. It is recommended that you check with your state's Department of Transportation or responsible state agency to determine if you need a USDOT number. Additionally, even if you are not required to obtain a USDOT number, you may still need to comply with other state and federal regulations, such as safety and insurance requirements. 

You may also refer to the FMCSA Registration Page.