Registration Modernization FAQs

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FMCSA is modernizing the registration experience by simplifying the registration process, streamlining identification, developing a new, user-friendly registration system, and incorporating enhanced verification tools. Read the following FAQs to learn more about registration modernization efforts.

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USDOT Numbers, MC Numbers, and Safety Registration

  • Will existing Docket Numbers (MC numbers) be replaced by USDOT Numbers?
    No. MC Numbers will not be replaced by USDOT Numbers. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (P.L. 112-141) (MAP-21) requires all FMCSA regulated entities to have a USDOT Number. To comply with MAP-21, FMCSA began assigning USDOT Numbers to brokers, freight forwarders, and motor carriers who operate non-commercial motor vehicles and did not already hold a USDOT Number. Motor Carrier Docket Numbers (MC Numbers) were never a statutory or regulatory requirement. Historically, MC Numbers were used by FMCSA to track proceedings related to a single operating authority registration and not to identify a specific person, employer, operator, motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. The need for separate tracking numbers for each type of registration became unnecessary when all operating authorities became nationwide, with the elimination of route-specific and common or contract authorities, and with the newer requirement for all regulated entities to hold a USDOT Number. Rather than being replaced by USDOT Numbers, MC Numbers will be phased out. Specific types of operating authority registration will instead be indicated by a suffix to the USDOT Number for each type an entity may hold.
     
  • Will FMCSA stop issuing MC Numbers?
    Yes, FMCSA will stop assigning MC Numbers with the release of its modernized registration system. Consistent with statutory requirements, the USDOT Number will be the sole identifier for all FMCSA registrants. Individual registrations held by a distinct employer or person will be identified by unique suffixes within FMCSA’s systems, as required by MAP-21.
     
  • What is the difference between a USDOT Number and safety registration?
    The USDOT Number is a unique identifier that FMCSA uses to identify an employer or person’s operations. MAP-21 added a new requirement for safety registration for every employer or person operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. All distinct registrations or permits (e.g., operating authority registrations, safety registration, cargo tank facility registration, hazardous materials safety permits) held by one entity will be associated with the USDOT Number. Safety registration is required for any employer or person operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. Safety registration is distinct from the USDOT Number. Before the Agency will issue safety registration, it must first determine that the applicant is willing and able to comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, is not affiliated with an unfit registrant or applicant, and has disclosed all relevant affiliations. In addition, MAP-21 requires every broker, freight forwarder, or motor carrier (whether operating commercial motor vehicles or not) to obtain a USDOT Number. FMCSA’s modernized registration system is specifically designed to implement these MAP-21 requirements.
     
  • Can a registrant have multiple suffixes after their USDOT Number?
    Yes, within FMCSA’s new registration system, a registrant may have multiple suffixes after their USDOT Number. Each suffix will identify a specific registration. An entity with multiple operating authorities will have more than one suffix reflected in FMCSA systems. Suffixes are not required for marking commercial motor vehicles but are required by statute for identification on documents for business transactions involving freight forwarders, brokers, or motor carriers (for-hire non-exempt carriers).
     
  • Will existing registrants get new USDOT Numbers or will they keep their current USDOT Number?
    Existing registrants will keep their current USDOT Number. Previously registered brokers, freight forwarders, and motor carriers operating non-commercial vehicles who never received a USDOT Number in the past will receive a USDOT Number, as required by statute.

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Account Creation, Identity Verification, and Business Verification

  • Will I need a Login.gov account to use the new FMCSA registration system?
    Yes. Any individual, business, insurance or financial institution, blanket company (BOC-3 filer), transportation service provider, or authorized agent using the new system will need Login.gov account credentials to access the system. Executive Order (EO) 14028, Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, and Office of Budget Memorandum (OMB) memorandum M-22-09, Moving the U.S. Government Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles (Federal Zero Trust Strategy), requires federal agencies to use multi-factor authentication for access to government systems. FMCSA’s new registration system will use Login.gov to provide this required multi-factor authentication.
     
  • If I’m not a regulated entity, do I still need an account to take action in the new FMCSA registration system to support my clients?
    Yes, all users who make filings or submissions with FMCSA will need an account to access the new registration system. Public users may access and view public data through the system's website without an account. FMCSA plans to allow all service providers, financial responsibility filers, blanket companies, and process agents to establish accounts in the new system before it is actively used for regulated entity registration management.
     
  • Will existing registrants have to go through identity verification and business verification?
    To ensure data integrity and accuracy in FMCSA’s new registration system, all existing registrants will complete identity and business verification before completing any transactions in the new system. FMCSA will share more information on when and how to complete this process in the future.
     
  • What happens if I can’t complete the identity verification when creating an account?
    To maintain data and integrity and to fulfill the Agency mandate to only register entities who are willing and able to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, FMCSA is introducing identity verification. If verification cannot be completed online, the user may complete the identity verification process at a designated physical location.
     
  • What does FMCSA consider a valid PPOB? And how will PPOB validation work in the new FMCSA registration system?
    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require employers and persons subject to the Agency’s safety jurisdiction to maintain records at the principal place of business (PPOB), or if the entity operates multiple locations those records must be available at the PPOB within 48 hours following a demand. The FMCSRs specifically define a principal place of business as “the single location designated by the motor carrier, normally its headquarters, for purposes of identification under this subchapter.” Further, in 2009, FMCSA published “Regulatory Guidance on the Definition of Principal Place of Business,” articulating how the Agency determines whether a designated location meets the definition of PPOB. The Agency reviews all applications for correctness and accuracy, and is required to review all applications for the applicant’s willingness and ability to comply with all applicable statutes and regulations. If FMCSA discovers evidence through the validation process or through registration vetting that an address submitted on an application could never satisfy the requirements of the FMCSRs, FMCSA is required to reject the application for registration.

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New Registration System Release and Functionalities

  • Why is FMCSA developing a new registration system?
    FMCSA is mandated by statute to build a unified registration system. FMCSA first established the system through rulemaking and with the completion of the Unified Registration System (URS) online application. FMCSA’s current modernization project will complete the system mandated in 49 USC 13908 and will incorporate key registration features required by MAP-21. FMCSA is also developing the new registration system to improve the registration experience and processes for users. The new system will provide a user-friendly, streamlined approach to managing the registration life cycle of regulated entities. It will be designed to provide fraud-resistant security features, validate submissions in real time, and integrate data with all required State and Federal systems. It will also provide role-based access to easily navigate accurate registration data.
     
  • When will the new FMCSA registration system go live?
    The first release of the new registration system is planned for 2025, with phased releases of additional functionalities to follow.
     
  • Will the new FMCSA registration system send automated notifications to users when updates are required?
    Yes, FMCSA will use the new registration system to provide automated electronic notifications. FMCSA also intends to allow registrants to opt in to receive automated service of registration related notices and orders by electronic means. If a registrant does not opt in for service, they will receive routine communications electronically, but any order (or a notice that could result in a change to registration status) will continue to be mailed.
     
  • Will I be able to access the new FMCSA registration system from my phone?
    Yes, the new registration system will be simple, secure, and seamless, and will be able to be accessed on mobile devices, tablets, and computers.
     
  • Will a carrier be able to make changes to their information in the new FMCSA registration system?
    Yes, the goal of the new system is to make changing information more intuitive and seamless. However, some changes require additional evidence or documentation, and FMCSA must review certain changes before allowing them to be reflected in the system.
     
  • Will I be able to download my own FMCSA letters and orders in the new FMCSA registration system?
    Registered entities will be able to download letters and orders related to registration actions using the new registration system. All documents will show original service dates. The information in the system is authoritative. Certificates or communications from the Agency are only valid to establish what information was in the system on the date that document was printed.
     
  • How will the new FMCSA registration system impact intrastate carriers?
    The system will still allow intrastate carriers to obtain a USDOT Number if their State requires it. Those carriers can submit an application for a USDOT Number as intrastate carriers and go through the same identity verification and business verification processes as other system users. Please note that FMCSA will not track or monitor State requirements in the new FMCSA registration system.
     
  • Is the registration fee expected to go up with the new FMCSA registration system?
    There are no planned changes to the registration fees associated with the initial release of the new system. Any adjustments to registration fees will be proposed during the publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the Unified Registration System Enhancements and Updates.
     
  • When will we learn more about the functionality in the modernized FMCSA registration system?
    A Federal Register Notice about the functionality of the new registration system will be published prior to the release of the new system. In addition, it is the intent of FMCSA to continue to share progress of development with the public.

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Legacy Systems and Processes

  • Will the current FMCSA Portal go away?
    The development of the new FMCSA registration system is part of a larger IT modernization effort that aims to eventually eliminate the FMCSA Portal and create a more centralized solution for all FMCSA regulated entities.
     
  • Will the information displayed in the new FMCSA registration system be in sync with information in other FMCSA systems?
    Yes. There are significant data modernization and centralization efforts occurring in conjunction with the development of the new registration system, which will allow FMCSA to eventually maintain data in one central system and avoid conflicting information.
     
  • Will registration updates, reactivations, and deactivations still require use of the USDOT PIN?
    Registrants will be required to access the new FMCSA registration system through Login.gov, removing the need for USDOT PINs. All electronic updates to company records, applications for reinstatement, applications for new registration, and requests for voluntary suspension or voluntary revocation, will be managed directly within the new system.
     
  • What about customers that are unable to complete transactions electronically? Will paper forms still be allowed?
    The new FMCSA registration system will make the registration process more efficient and will be easy to use on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Currently, updates submitted on paper take days to process, and conducting business online is cumbersome with multiple logins in addition to a personal identification number. The goal of the new registration system is to transition from a paper-based registration system to a completely online process where common transactions can be completed in minutes. We recognize, however, that a small percentage of applicants may not have a computer or smart device, Internet access, computer skills, or a combination of the above. The elimination of paper-based forms is a subject for future Agency rulemaking. Until there is a regulatory change, FMCSA will continue to accept the forms in place today after system launch. Paper-based requests are expected to take longer to process than those completed online in the new system. The additional time is needed for the Agency to manually review, verify/confirm, and process information that otherwise would be conducted automatically and electronically by the system.

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Blanket Companies (BOC-3 Filers)

  • How will registrants designate a blanket company in the new FMCSA registration system?
    Every motor carrier, except a motor carrier operating exclusively in Alaska or Hawaii, must designate process agents for all 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, unless its operating authority registration is limited to fewer than 48 States and DC. FMCSA regulations in 49 CFR part 366 require the regulated entity to make the designation(s), not the blanket company. Blanket companies (BOC-3 filers) must be registered with FMCSA and will be assigned an account number in the new system. FMCSA recommends registrants contact a blanket company before completing their registration. Blanket companies should provide their assigned account number to the registrant if they agree to represent the registrant. Motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders (registrants) will be able to designate a blanket company during the registration process by entering the blanket company’s account number. The blanket company will be notified of the designation and prompted to accept or decline that designation. If declined, the registrant will have the ability to designate a different company. If registrants share the blanket company’s account number with others, the blanket company will still be able to decline a designation received for an entity the company does not represent.
     
  • How will the registrant know which blanket company to choose?
    There is no change to the way in which regulated entities select or initiate a business arrangement with a blanket company. It is up to the registrant to independently select a blanket company to enter into a business arrangement. FMCSA recommends registrants contact a blanket company before completing their registration. During the registration process, the registrant will identify the blanket company by entering the blanket company’s account number.

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Financial Responsibility Filers

  • Will financial responsibility filers (insurance companies and financial institutions) use the new FMCSA registration system?
    Yes, insurance companies and financial institutions will be able to use the new system to submit the required financial responsibility filings, similar to the way they are electronically filed today.

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Transportation Service Providers

  • What will transportation service providers have to do when the new FMCSA registration system is released?
    Prior to launch of the new registration system, transportation service providers will be able to use their Login.gov accounts to access the system and proceed through the identity verification process to set up their user profiles and accounts. Both the Login.gov and identity verification process work in tandem to limit system access to authorized users and to secure FMCSA data. The Login.gov process authenticates the email that is used to create the account in the new registration system while the identity verification service confirms the identity of the individual creating the account using an acceptable form of identification. Once the required system checks have passed, the service provider can finish completing their registration system user profile and add client information to their account. After the service provider account is established in the new FMCSA registration, regulated entities will have the ability to authorize the service provider to assist in their registration. The new system will require regulated entities to review and submit data entry completed by service providers before FMCSA will begin processing any registration requests.
     
  • Will transportation service providers be able to start the registration application process on behalf of a registrant?
    When the new FMCSA registration system is released, new registrants (company official) will be required to start the application process and complete certain required information, including identity and business verification checks, before designating a transportation service provider to complete actions within the registration system on their behalf. The system will notify the service provider to confirm their relationship with the registrant. Once the transportation service provider has accepted the designation from the registrant, they will be able to complete actions on the registrant’s behalf in the registration system, including completing data entry for an application for registration. Note that the registrant (company official) will also need to review the transportation service provider’s entries and submit final oaths and certifications to complete a new application.
     
  • Has FMCSA solicited feedback on the new FMCSA registration system from transportation service providers given their role in helping registrants?
    Yes. All feedback is important and is used to inform FMCSA’s decision making. Valuable feedback was received from the industry, including transportation service providers, at Stakeholder Days in January, May, and October 2024. Feedback can be also shared via email at NewRegSys@dot.gov.

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Communications

  • Who can I contact if I have questions or feedback?
    Email us at NewRegSys@dot.gov if you have questions or need additional information about the new FMCSA registration system or the changes coming to FMCSA registration. Please note that this email account is intended to gather feedback regarding registration modernization. For inquiries not related to registration modernization or any issues that need immediate attention regarding FMCSA registration, please contact the FMCSA Registration Customer Service Center.
     
  • Where can I find the latest news and information about registration changes and the launch of the new FMCSA registration system?
    Visit the Registration Modernization Resources Hub to learn more about the changes coming to FMCSA registration and subscribe to email updates to stay informed about the latest news and resources.

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