A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is defined as any motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport property or passengers when the vehicle:

• • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is single or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or more than 15 passengers if not receiving compensation for the transportation.
  • Any size vehicle that transports hazardous materials that require federal placarding

On the other hand, a non-Commercial Motor Vehicle would not meet the above criteria. For example, consider a vehicle where either the power unit alone or when combined with a trailer does not meet the minimum weight threshold of 10,001 pounds. For instance, a pickup truck with a GVWR of 7,000 pounds and a trailer with a GVWR of 2,000 pounds would not qualify as a CMV.

Visit the vehicle configuration page to learn more about the different types of CMVs

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a method to verify your identity requiring two or more pieces of evidence (factors). These factors can be something you know (like a password), something you have (like an access card) or something you are (like facial recognition or fingerprint). 

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.  

A process agent is a legal representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each state in which it is authorized to operate and for each state traversed during such operations (using Form BOC-3). Brokers are required to list process agents in each state in which they have an office and in which they write contracts. Many commercial firms will arrange process agents in any state for a fee.

Carriers who operate exclusively in either Alaska or Hawaii need only designate a process agent in that state.

Mexican carriers operating in the Commercial Zone need only designate a process agent in the states they will be operating in.

A list of process agents can be found in the instruction packet accompanying an application or on our website.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

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.