Setting up your own MC number to haul freight for hire across state lines is way easier than you might think!
Follow these clear, simple steps to get your own MC Number and Motor Carrier Authority.
You can do this, guys!
CIS is here to help!
What is a MC Number
MC Number stands for Motor Carrier Authority, and it’s basically your ticket to operate legally.
If you’re hauling freight for hire across state lines, FMCSA requires an MC Number.
FMCSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety administration that oversees the Department of Transportation
If you’re an Owner Operator leased on to a Motor Carrier, you’re running under their MC number.
But if you want to haul freight for hire across state lines as an independent business, you’ll need to get your own MC number.
How Do You Get a MC Number
Here’s a handy cheat sheet summarizing your steps to start a new trucking authority:
- First get your insurance quote
- Apply for your DOT number
- Purchase your insurance
- File your BOC-3
- Your Motor Carrier Authority–MC number–is activated by FMCSA
Why get your insurance quote first?
Because there’s no point going through the MC number process if the insurance costs don’t fit your budget.
Make sure you know your overhead upfront so you can figure out you can turn a profit.
New MC Number Pros & Cons can help you think through your next move.
Once you’ve got a solid estimate for the truck insurance and it fits your budget, you’re ready to move forward and get your new MC number!
How to get DOT and MC Number
If you’re brand new without a DOT, here’s the steps to follow:
1. Decide your Business Name & Entity Type
- Make sure you know EXACTLY how you want your name and address to read before you start
- Sole Proprieter’s will need their social security number
- LLCs and Corporations will use their TAX EIN from IRS Employer ID Number
- If you try to change any of this info later, the delay time is ridiculous and you will have lost money before you even get on the road.
2. Start your FMCSA Registration
- Go to the Online FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS)
- Follow the prompts and hit NEXT at the end of each screen
- You will be assigned an Applicant ID
- This ID number is discarded within 30 days of creation if your app is not completed
- Complete the pages until you get to Vehicle Types
- Cargo Van & Sprinters ONLY–Enter 0 in all boxes on this page
- Then choose “1” on the number of drivers who will operate soley as Interstate, or across state lines
- FMCSA will determine that your Financial Responsibility to operate for hire across state lines at $300,000 Liability
- (If you have registered with a larger truck, your Financial Responsibility will show $750,000.)
- Identity Verification in the form of a QR Code is next, you will need your Phone and your Driver’s License or Passport.
- Once your Identity is verified, FMCSA will ask for their $300 application fee for your trucking authority.
- If you aren’t ready to pull the trigger, you can go back into the portal within 30 days with your applicant ID to resume
- Once paid, you receive a DOT number immediately and your MC number processing will begin in that portal.
[FMCSA’s Getting Started Link for more on brand new start ups.]
Adding an MC Number to an existing DOT Number
If you already HAD an existing DOT number, then FMCSA asks that instead of using the portal above, you to use their Legacy Registration System to request your Motor Carrier Authority to haul freight across state lines.
Yes, we agree, with 2 portals it’s certainly more confusing than it needs to be.
For years, FMCSA has been talking about combining the DOT and MC numbers into one, but it still hasn’t happened yet!
You have your DOT Number…Now What
Congrats! You’ve got your DOT number which is basically the ID for your vehicle.
This number is what the feds and states use to make sure you’re meeting safety standards through MCS-150 updates.
The DOT allows you to drive the vehicle within your state, Intrastate.
To legally haul freight across state lines or Interstate, you still need an MC number for a Motor Carrier Authority.
3. Time to Buy Your Insurance
Your Motor Carrier Authority request comes with a 10-day public protest period.
It’s during this time that you’ll set up your Commercial Auto Liability.
- If you’ve done your research, you already have your Transportation Insurance Specialist lined up…call her again now to start your policy.
- She’ll advise you on the most cost effective timing and amount of insurance to buy, and when to increase the limits.
- The insurance company will electronically send your proof of insurance to FMCSA. This is called your MCS90-91X.
4. Then get your BOC-3 Form
- The BOC-3 Form is officially named Designation of Agents for Service of Process.
- This authorizes a process agent in each state to receive legal documents on your behalf.
- Finding a Process Agent to handle this easy FMCSA requirement for you is affordable and a quick online search away.
What Activates your MC Number
The MCS90-91X insurance proof and BOC-3 form are what activates your DOT number to include an MC number–Motor Carrier Authority.
You’ll receive your official authority certificate in the mail approximately 2 weeks after your MC number becomes active.
Your MC number lets you legally haul freight for hire across state lines in your registered vehicles as an authorized motor carrier.
There’s a limited time period to set up your insurance and BOC-3 to activate your authority, so be sure to connect with us from the very beginning of your venture.
The better you have your ducks in a row, the least money spent on insurance and time wasted not hauling freight.
5. Do All Vehicle Types Require a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
Unified Carrier Registration(UCR): This registration is based on how many commercial vehicles you have and supports funding for state highway carrier registration and safety programs.
If you’re hauling freight for hire across state lines, including under 10,000 GVW Cargo Vans or Sprinters, you’ll need to complete your UCR.
It’s simple to do:
See Unified Carrier Do I Need To Register?
Do Vans Need an MC number
Yes, all the above rules apply to Commercial Vans under 10,001 GVW, like Sprinters and Transits when hauling freight for hire across state lines.
That said, the FMCSA rules for Cargo Vans and Sprinters are way more relaxed compared to bigger trucks.
For example, there’s no federal requirements for CDLs, DOT audits, inspections, HOS logs, drug testing, IRP, or IFTAs.
Cargo Van & Sprinter insurance requirements are lower at only $300,000 commercial auto liability Insurance
Hot Shot insurance and larger trucks requirements include a minimimum of $750,000 commercial auto liability.
What about IRP or IFTA
Both IRP and IFTAs are required for over 26,000 GVW Trucks, but not under 10,001 GVW Cargo Vans and Sprinters.
If you have a van or truck that is over 26,000 GVW then here’s what you need to know about IRP & IFTA:
International Registration Plan–IRP–This agreement between states simplifies the registration process for commercial vehicles nationwide.
International Fuel Tax Agreement–IFTA– is another agreement among the lower 48 states of the U.S. and Canadian provinces designed to simplify fuel taxes for truckers.
The IFTA account is very similar to the IRP form in listing of states you are active.
Where does FMCSA Post Proof of Insurance
The FMCSA’s SAFER system is where you can find company snapshots for all DOT Authorities across the country.
It’s where you’ll see your proof of minimum insurance posted under SAFER Licensing and Insurance.
Curious about a competitor?
Just pop their DOT number into the system, and you can uncover all kinds of details about their DOT Authority history:)
Why Does SAFER Show a Lower Insurance Limit Than You Purchased
One of the FMCSA’s main jobs is to make sure the public is protected from underinsured commercial truckers at the MINIMUM REQUIRED LIMITS.
The MCS90 is an endorsement on your policy that guarantees protection to the public in the minimum amounts required.
So think:
- Commercial Vans like Cargo Vans & Sprinters = $300,000
- Hot Shots and larger Trucks = $750,000
The 91X certifies that even if for whatever reason your $1,000,000 in insurance was not in place at the time of an accident, MCS90 acts as a bond to protect the public in the lower amounts required.
So what you’re seeing on Safer Licensing and Insurance is your insurance company’s promise to the public with your 91X Certification or Bond, for $300,000.
Why the Insurance Company Needs 35 Days’ Notice to Cancel
By law there is a mandatory 35-day waiting period before an insurance company can finalize a cancellation for a commercial auto policy with a filing. This gives the public enough time to be notified and stay informed if your insurance should lapse and the MCS-90 comes into play.
Just to clarify, if you bought $1,000,000 in truck insurance and your policy is active, you’re covered up to that full amount when you file a claim.
Your MCS90 only kicks in when you don’t have insurance in place.
Here’s more on how your MCS90-91X requirements factor into your commercial truck insurance.
Trucking Authority First Step
Before you dive into getting your own MC number, do yourself a favor—get a quick insurance quote first.
We can’t emphasize this enough.
You don’t want to drop $300 to the FMCSA, go through all the hassle, and then realize the insurance costs more than you’d actually earn.
It’s way better to figure out upfront if it’s really worth it.
That’s why having the right guidance is key.
At CIS, we’re here to help every step of the way, our ladies will show you how easy it can be.
We’ll walk you through the entire process, from finding the most affordable trucking coverage to handling your certificates of liability.
Plus, we’ll help you save money when it’s time to renew.
Check out our CIS 5-Star Reviews to see why so many truckers choose CIS!
Then give us a call (330) 864-1511.
If you already have your vehicle, you can start a Commercial Truck Insurance Quote Online with your basic information.
Once you’ve shared what you have so far, we’ll give you a call to chat and take it from there.
We’d love to help you get started on your journey to the independence and other benefits of having your own trucking authority!
We are CIS, and We Make Your Truck Insurance Easy!