Registration Forms
Webpage Content
- FMCSA L&I Registration Options Page Advisory
- Apply for New Registration (USDOT and Operating Authority Numbers)
- Update Your USDOT Number
- Update Your Operating Authority
- Apply for Emergency (Temporary) Operating Authority
- Notice for Sole Proprietors
- Process Agent Designation and Insurance Filings
FMCSA L&I Registration Options Page Advisory
January 13, 2025 Update: The FMCSA Registration Options have been moved into the FMCSA Portal to ensure compliance with the Presidential mandate for Multi-Factor Authentication. No changes have been made to accessing the Unified Registration System to apply for new registration.
Both Company Officials and Associates of a Company can access the new Registration menu through their FMCSA Portal accounts to make registration changes.
Company Officials who created an FMCSA Portal account will see the new menu "Registration" when logging into their account.
Associates of a Company (company employees and third-party transportation service providers) can request access to the new menu by registering for a Portal account or request the necessary roles within an already existing non-Company Official Associate account.
If an associate account already exists, the appropriate roles to select would be “Portal View Sensitive Company Information” and “Portal Modify Company Information.” After selecting these roles and updating your account, the Company Official of the Portal account will be notified and they will determine whether to approve or deny roles.
If an associate account does not exist, please create an account and include these roles during registration.
The new menu allows users to complete the following updates online:
- Applying for additional operating authority
- File a biennial update (MCS-150)
- Change of address
- Reinstate operating authority
- Reapplication for USDOT Number after revocation
- Update cargo tank
- Update HM Safety Permit
Other transactions, like legal name change requests, that required paper forms before will also continue to be submitted on paper.
We will continue to accept forms at the contact center; however, please expect a minimum timeframe of 8 business days for review and processing. Step-by-step instructions to register for the FMCSA Portal are detailed in the FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates. Contact the FMCSA Contact Center if you have any questions.
Apply for New Registration (USDOT and Operating Authority Numbers)
Applying for a New USDOT Number?
Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number. Also, commercial intrastate hazardous materials carriers who haul types and quantities requiring a safety permit must register for a USDOT Number.
The USDOT Number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company's safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections. For more information about whether you need a USDOT Number can be found on the “Do I need a USDOT Number?” webpage.
First-time applicants must register for their USDOT Number and/or operating authority using the Unified Registration System (URS). Instructional videos on how to register for a USDOT Number on URS can be found on FMCSA’s “How To” video webpage. If you have any issues with applying for your USDOT Number via URS, you may contact the FMCSA Contact Center online by submitting a ticket or call 1-800-832-5660.
For a complete submission, customers are required to submit supporting documents with their application/updates, including a valid government-issued ID. FMCSA will accept the following government-issued IDs as supporting documents:
- U.S. Passport
- Driver’s License
- Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card)
Applying for New Operating Authority (MC Number/FF Number/MX Number)?
A company may apply for operating authority based on the company’s business operations. For-Hire, Interstate Motor Carrier entities, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders are required to have operating authority in addition to a USDOT Number.
If you have an existing USDOT Number and want to apply to have operating authority, submit the appropriate MCS-150 series form (MCS-150, MCS-150B, or MCS-150C) in combination with the appropriate OP-1 Form.
|
I am a… |
What form do I need? |
Supporting Documents? |
|
Motor Carrier |
Government Issued ID (Company Officer - #31) |
|
|
Motor Carrier that Transports Hazardous Materials |
Government Issued ID (Company Officer - #37) |
|
|
Intermodal Equipment Provider(s) (IEP) |
Government Issued ID (Company Officer - #22) |
|
I am a… |
What form do I need? |
Supporting Documents? |
|
Motor Carrier |
Fee: $300 |
|
|
Freight Forwarder |
Fee: $300 |
|
|
Passenger Carrier |
Fee: $300 |
|
|
Mexico-Based Motor Carrier (U.S. Long-Haul Operations) |
Fee: $300 |
|
|
Mexico-Based Motor Carrier (U.S. Commercial Zone-Only Operations) |
Fee: $300 |
Please note the entities that do not require 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.
- Intermodal Equipment Providers.
- Cargo Tank Facilities.
Update Your USDOT Number
Use the table below to find the correct form(s) to request an update to your existing USDOT Number. Updates made to a company’s current USDOT Number information will be visible at the SAFER System’s Company Snapshot.
|
I need to… |
What form do I need? |
Can I do This Online? |
Supporting Documents? |
|
Complete a Biennial Update (Two Year Requirement) |
You may make changes online through the FMCSA Portal using your Login.gov e-mail account. You may also submit a ticket with the attached forms or fax to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee Other applicable supporting documents based on changes |
|
|
Changes to Company Operation Type
|
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee Other applicable supporting documents based on changes |
|
|
Update my Hazardous Material (HM) Safety Permit |
You may make changes online through the FMCSA Portal using your Login.gov e-mail account. You may also submit a ticket with the attached forms or fax to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee Other applicable supporting documents based on changes |
|
|
Update/Report Changes to EIN/SSN |
MCS-150 series (MCS-150, MCS-150B, or MCS-150 C)
|
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (Form SS-4) |
|
Out of Business (OOB) Request – No longer using USDOT Number |
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee |
|
|
Reactivate USDOT Number |
MCS-150 series (MCS-150, MCS-150B, or MCS-150 C)
|
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee |
|
Re-Application After Revocation |
MCS-150 series (MCS-150, MCS-150B, or MCS-150 C)
|
You may make changes online through the FMCSA Portal using your Login.gov e-mail account. You may also submit a ticket with the attached forms or fax to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee Please see the FMCSA’s instructional videos on “How to Reregister After Revocation” |
* 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.
IMPORTANT: Seven Common Reasons Your Application Will Be Returned as Incomplete
Update Your Operating Authority (MC Number/FF Number/MX Number)
|
I need to… |
What form do I need? |
Can I do This Online? |
Supporting Documents? |
|
File a Name Change Request |
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
$14 processing fee Articles of Incorporation or Amendments, as issued by the Secretary of State |
|
|
File an Address Change Request |
You may make changes online through the FMCSA Portal using your Login.gov e-mail account. You may also submit a ticket with the attached forms or fax to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee Articles of Incorporation or Amendments (as issued by the Secretary of State) |
|
|
Request an Operating Authority Reinstatement |
MCS-150 Form (Motor Carriers only), |
You may make changes online through the FMCSA Portal using your Login.gov e-mail account. You may also submit a ticket with the attached forms or fax to 202-366-3477. |
$80 Reinstatement fee Proof of Insurance* |
|
Request for Revocation of Operating Authority |
No, the user must submit a ticket online or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477. |
No Processing Fee |
* Insurance forms can be obtained from (or, in many cases filed online by) your insurance company. For more information on insurance requirements, visit our Insurance Requirements page.
Apply for Emergency (Temporary) Operating Authority
Applications for temporary authority require a determination that there is, or soon will be, an immediate transportation need that cannot be met by existing motor carrier service [49 CFR 365.107T(f)]. Such applications are only entertained in exceptional circumstances, during natural disasters or national emergencies [49 CFR 365.107T(g)]. In most circumstances, the Agency will only entertain applications for temporary authority when an emergency declaration has been issued, consistent with 49 CFR 390.23.
Links to current FMCSA emergency declarations can be found on the Emergency Declaration, Waivers, Exemptions, and Permits webpage. The temporary authority is only valid for 120 days or until the emergency declaration expires, whichever comes first. All temporary authorities will be revoked once the emergency declaration expires.
|
I need to… |
What form do I need? |
Can I do This Online? |
Supporting Documents? |
|
Apply for Emergency Operating Authority (Only applies when emergency declaration has been issued) |
MCS-150 series (MCS-150, MCS-150B, or MCS-150 C) (only if carrier does not have a USDOT Number) OP-1 series |
No, the user must submit a ticket online (Select Inquiry Type: Operating Authority (Docket Number) > Request) or fax the completed forms to 202-366-3477 (Cover Sheet stating “Emergency Temporary Authority”). |
$100 Processing Fee Articles of Incorporation or Amendments, as issued by the Secretary of State Proof of Insurance* Statement Addressing the Need for Operating Authority
|
OP-1 applications for temporary authority should be processed within 48 business hours of receipt. However, the authority will not be granted until the carrier’s evidence of financial responsibility (insurance) and BOC-3 form are on file with FMCSA.
If a carrier wishes to apply for permanent authority, they need to apply using the same MC/USDOT number granted for the temporary authority. The applicant would be required to pay the $300 fee for permanent operating authority registration.
* Insurance forms can be obtained from (or, in many cases filed online by) your insurance company. For more information on insurance requirements, visit our Insurance Requirements page.
Notice for Sole Proprietors
- Sole proprietor owner(s)/operator(s) are strongly encouraged to use an EIN to register with FMCSA.
- If personal information is used for registration purposes to obtain a USDOT Number or operating authority, this information will be publicly available on FMCSA websites. This published information may include, but is not limited to, the sole proprietor owner/operator's home address, telephone number, and email address when the contact information serves as the business contact information.
Process Agent Designation and Insurance Filings
Public liability Insurance (Form BMC-91 or BMC 91X) and cargo insurance forms (Form BMC-34 or BMC83) must be submitted electronically by a registered electronic filer (a representative of an insurance company, surety company, or financial institution.) FMCSA does not furnish copies of these insurance forms.
Process Agent
|
Form |
Description |
|
Designation of Process Agents - Motor Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders |
Insurance
|
Form |
Description |
|
Endorsement for Household Goods Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Cargo Liability Under 49 U.S.C. 13906 |
|
|
Application for Authority to Self-Insure Under 49 U.S.C. 13906 |
|
|
Property Broker's Trust Fund Agreement Under 49 U.S.C. 13906 or Notice of Cancellation of the Agreement |
|
|
Motor Carrier Public Liability Surety Bond under Sections 29 and 30 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 |
|
|
Motor Carrier Public Liability Surety Bond |
|
|
Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability under Sections 29 and 30 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 |
|
|
Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability under Section 18 of the Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982 |
* For more information on insurance requirements, visit our Insurance Requirements page.
Last updated: Tuesday, February 4, 2025