Please Note: Our e-mail address when we reply to you will show as "FMCSA Customer Service". To ensure timely and effective e-mail delivery, please check your spam folders and settings to allow e-mails from this address.

What is Operating Authority (MC number) and who needs it?

Published 12/05/2014 05:42 PM   |    Updated 11/21/2017 02:53 PM

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.

Was this answer helpful?
Your rating has been submitted, please tell us how we can make this answer more useful.

Print