MC NUMBER
How to get your Trucking Operating Authority!

Your motor carrier authority number (“MC Number”) is one of the first steps to becoming a professional truck driver. The authority is issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and permits you to transport commodities across state lines for hire. Before 1996, during the existence of the Interstate Commerce Commission, you could apply for your MC Number as either a ‘common carrier’ or ‘contract carrier’, but today there is no actual difference.

Besides a “basic” operating authority, you may be required to have additional authority based on the specific type of equipment you plan on operating and specific types of cargo you’ll be carrying. Hauling cargo categorized as “Hazardous Materials”, for example,  will require additional FMCSA authority (and you might be surprised at some of the cargo categorized as “hazardous’).

Your MC Number isn’t the only thing you’ll need, of course. You’ll also need a DOT number, which is a unique code number used by the Department of Transportation to identify your trucking business for the purpose of audits, safety inspections, and compliance reviews. Even if you are planning on only operating INTRA-state (operating wholly within the borders of one state), a DOT number is considered a “must-have” as over 50% of the states require a DOT number before you’ll be permitted to operate. If this is your first time applying for a USDOT number, you’ll be required to pass an 18-month safety and performance review before you’re given permanent registration.

Many potential drivers overlook a crucial first step to entering the trucking industry: Insurance. You’ll be required to have One Million Dollars liability coverage and at least $100,000. cargo insurance. You can be granted an MC Number without this, but you’ll never be allowed to actually use the number and operate your trucking business without insurance. Make sure you can afford it before you proceed!

You will likely also need a BOC-3 filing. What’s this? The FMCSA requires that you have a designated process agent in every state that you do business in (which includes merely passing through). There are several reputable companies that offer “blanket” process agent service in all 50 states and can file your BOC-3 with the FMCSA for a moderate cost.

Getting confused about what you need? Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to get your MC Number and all the other operating authorities you will need to begin trucking is by using a filing service which specializes in the trucking industry. For a reasonable cost, they’ll be able to guide you through the entire process, helping you determine exactly which permits you need (and don’t need). Their experience and ability is well worth the price. You’ll find sponsored links to several reliable companies near the top of this page.

Happy Trucking!