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New MC authority checklist: how to get your own authority
Your own operating authority costs $300 per authority in FMCSA filing fees, and your insurance filing and BOC-3 must reach FMCSA within 20 days of FMCSA publishing your application. Sources: FMCSA, Get Operating Authority (checked Oct 24, 2026); 49 CFR 365.109T(a)(5)-(6).
- FMCSA fee$300
- Insurance + BOC-3Within 20 days
FMCSA moved registration to Motus, its new USDOT Registration System, which launched May 19, 2026 (FMCSA). FMCSA's registration home links to it at motus.dot.gov. Some FMCSA pages quoted here still describe the older system. The deadlines below are quoted from the regulations on eCFR. Authority stuck or showing inactive: Motus problems and what each status means.
This list is for interstate, for-hire property carriers. Hauling passengers or household goods, or only inside one state? FMCSA's Get Operating Authority page covers those.
The first 90 days
- Day 0
Apply for USDOT number and operating authority; pay $300
- 20 to 25 business days
FMCSA's stated processing time for a new application
"URS applications (new applicants only) may take 20-25 business days, unless they are subject to further review by the agency, in which case it could take an additional 8 weeks or longer" (FMCSA)
- Within 20 days of publication
Proof of insurance (BMC-91 or 91X, the form your insurance company files with FMCSA for you) and your BOC-3 on file with FMCSA
Watch for your application in the FMCSA Register; the 20 days run from that date. The 10-day protest period runs from the same date: the MC number waiting period.
- Before your first load
Authority showing active on FMCSA's lookup, not just an MC number issued. Then a negative pre-employment drug test, a Clearinghouse query and a registered ELD in the truck
"A motor vehicle providing transportation requiring operating authority must not be operated— (1) Without the required operating authority" (49 CFR 392.9a)
- End of the month after first use
Form 2290 due, if the truck is 55,000 lbs or more
- About 3 months in
New-entrant safety audit can be scheduled (by month 12)
Every step, in order
USDOT number and operating authority (MC number)
Needed if you haul federally regulated freight owned by others for pay across state lines: "Transport federally-regulated commodities owned by others or arranging for their transport, (for a fee or other compensation, in interstate commerce)"
- Cost
- $300 per authority. "Separate fees must be submitted for each kind of authority sought. Please note that there are NO REFUNDS for mistaken applications."
- Time
- 20 to 25 business days for new applicants, per FMCSA
- Where
- Motus (motus.dot.gov), linked from FMCSA Registration
Sources: FMCSA Get Operating Authority (page updated Apr 20, 2026); "An application for motor carrier operating authority, a certificate of registration for certain foreign carriers, property broker authority, or freight forwarder authority $300." (49 CFR 360.3T(f)).
Liability insurance on file with FMCSA
Proof of coverage goes to FMCSA on Form BMC-91 or 91X (49 CFR 365.109T(a)(5)-(6)). For general freight in a truck over 10,000 lbs the federal minimum is $750,000.
- Cost
- Set by your insurer; FMCSA sets the minimum coverage, not the premium. Published cost data and what moves it: owner-operator insurance
- Deadline
- "Financial responsibility is indicated by filing within 20 days from the date an application notice is published in the FMCSA Register"
Sources: "For-hire (In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) Property (nonhazardous) $750,000" (49 CFR 387.9); 49 CFR 365.109T(a)(5)-(6).
BOC-3 filing (process agents)
A BOC-3 names a person in each state who can accept legal papers for you. "Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each State in which it is authorized to operate and for each State traversed during such operations."
- Cost
- Set by the process-agent company that files it
- Deadline
- "Applicants also must submit Form BOC-3—designation of legal process agents—within 20 days from the date an application notice is published in the FMCSA Register."
Sources: 49 CFR 366.4T, 49 CFR 365.109T(a)(5)-(6).
Drug and alcohol testing: consortium and Clearinghouse
"Working with a C/TPA to manage a drug and alcohol testing program is a requirement of all owner-operators (employers who employ themselves as CDL drivers, typically a single-driver operation)."
- Before driving
- "Prior to the first time a driver performs safety-sensitive functions for an employer, the driver shall undergo testing for controlled substances as a condition prior to being used" (49 CFR 382.301(a))
- Clearinghouse
- A pre-employment query, then "Employers must conduct a query of the Clearinghouse at least once per year for information for all employees subject to controlled substance and alcohol testing under this part" (49 CFR 382.701)
- Cost
- $1.25 per Clearinghouse query (FMCSA Clearinghouse); consortium prices are set by each consortium (C/TPA, the outfit that runs your random-testing pool)
An ELD on FMCSA's registered list
Check yours in the FMCSA ELD list. "A motor carrier required to use an ELD must use only an ELD that is listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's registered ELDs list" (49 CFR 395.22(a))
- Cost
- Published prices start at $5.00 a month; see ELD prices
- Check
- Is a device registered?
UCR registration
Interstate carriers register every year: UCR registration 2027 fees and deadline.
- Cost
- $55 for 0 to 2 vehicles in 2027 (Federal Register)
- Deadline
- Before January 1 of the registration year (UCR Plan)
- Where
- ucr.gov only. UCR fees and deadline
Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax
Work out yours with the Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax calculator. For trucks with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more. You need an EIN: "allow four weeks for your new EIN to be established in our systems before filing your Form 2290." (IRS)
- Cost
- $100 to $550 a year by weight, less after July; e-filing from $6.95 (prices)
- Deadline
- Last day of the month after first use (IRS). 2290 calculator
IFTA fuel tax license
Quarterly dates: IFTA fuel tax deadlines. For a qualified motor vehicle running in more than one IFTA jurisdiction: two axles and over 26,000 lbs, three or more axles, or a combination over 26,000 lbs (IFTA Articles R245).
The same trucks need IRP apportioned plates from your base state, on the same weight tests: IRP apportioned plates.
- Where
- Your base state's IFTA office
- Deadline
- Quarterly returns, due the last day of the month after each quarter. IFTA deadlines
New-entrant safety audit
Prepare with the new-entrant safety audit checklist. "The New Entrant will be monitored during the initial 18-month period." FMCSA says the audit comes "within 12 months after beginning operations" (FMCSA).
- Prepare
- 16 violations fail the audit automatically. New-entrant safety audit checklist
MCS-150 update every two years
Find your month: MCS-150 biennial update due date.
- Due
- Every 24 months, in a month set by the last two digits of your USDOT number (49 CFR 390.19T(b)). Find your month
Box truck, hotshot or semi: what applies at your weight
Most of the steps above start at a weight rating. The four that matter, with the rule for each:
| Weight rating | Typical truck | What starts here | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10,001 lbs | Cargo van, pickup with a light trailer | UCR still applies to interstate carriers: you pay the lowest bracket, $55 for 2027 | A carrier like this "it would ordinarily pay a UCR fee in the lowest bracket, because it operates no commercial motor vehicles." (UCR Plan) |
| 10,001 lbs or more | Box truck, hotshot pickup and trailer | It's a commercial motor vehicle: hours of service and an ELD, unless an exception fits. Counts toward your UCR bracket | "any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle— (1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater" (49 CFR 390.5T) |
| 26,001 lbs or more | Heavy straight truck, tractor-trailer | CDL, so drug and alcohol testing. A one-driver company has to join a random testing pool. IFTA and IRP plates if you cross state lines | CDL: "Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B)—having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater" (49 CFR 383.5). Testing: "An employer who employs only himself/herself as a driver shall implement a random alcohol and controlled substances testing program of two or more covered employees in the random testing selection pool." (49 CFR 382.103(b)). IFTA: two axles and over 26,000 lbs, three or more axles, or a combination over 26,000 lbs (IFTA R245); IRP uses the same three tests (IRP Plan, Article II) |
| 55,000 lbs or more | Loaded tractor-trailer | Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax, for each tax year starting July 1 | "Highway motor vehicles that have a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more are taxable." (IRS). Taxable gross weight adds the empty truck, the empty trailer and the heaviest load you usually carry |
For a pickup pulling a trailer, the federal CMV definition uses the combined rating (GCWR); for a straight truck, the truck's own rating (GVWR). A combination needs a Group A (Class A) CDL when it's rated 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs (49 CFR 383.5), so a pickup pulling a trailer rated 10,000 lbs or less doesn't need a Group A CDL. This table is for interstate carriers. Hauling only inside one state, UCR doesn't apply and your state sets the safety rules. Form 2290 applies either way.
What it costs to start your own authority
Fixed fees you'll pay: $356.25 plus Form 2290 (up to $550 a year).
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Operating authority, per type | $300 | 49 CFR 360.3T(f) |
| UCR 2027, 0 to 2 vehicles | $55 | 91 FR 56063 |
| Clearinghouse query | $1.25 | FMCSA Clearinghouse |
| Form 2290, over 75,000 lbs, July first use | $550.00 | IRS Form 2290 |
Insurance, the BOC-3 filing, a testing consortium, the ELD and IFTA licensing are priced by insurers, vendors or your state, so they aren't in this table. Which factoring companies say they take new authorities: factoring for new authorities.
The first 90 days, with what tends to go wrong: new authority guide.
Not legal advice; not affiliated with FMCSA.
Questions
How do I get an MC number?
Apply for a USDOT number and operating authority in Motus, FMCSA's registration system, and pay $300 per type of authority. Then your insurer files proof of coverage and a process-agent company files your BOC-3, both within 20 days of FMCSA publishing your application.
How much does it cost to get your own authority?
$356.25 in fixed fees: $300 to FMCSA, $55 for UCR 2027 and $1.25 for a Clearinghouse query, plus Form 2290 (up to $550 a year for a loaded tractor-trailer). Insurance, the BOC-3, a testing consortium and the ELD are priced by vendors and come on top.
How long does it take to get an MC number?
FMCSA says new applications "may take 20-25 business days, unless they are subject to further review by the agency, in which case it could take an additional 8 weeks or longer". The authority isn't active until the insurance and BOC-3 filings are on record.
Can I get an MC number without insurance?
You can apply first, but the authority won't go active without it. Your insurer has to file the BMC-91 or 91X within 20 days of publication, at $750,000 or more for general freight in a truck over 10,000 lbs.
Is getting an MC number different for a cargo van, box truck or hotshot?
The application is the same. The weight changes what follows: under 10,001 lbs you still pay UCR; at 10,001 lbs you need an ELD and hours of service; at 26,001 lbs a CDL, drug testing, IFTA and IRP; at 55,000 lbs Form 2290. What applies at your weight.