| name | auth-mc-number-registration-process |
| description | Use this skill to obtain a Motor Carrier (MC) number from FMCSA. Covers application, fees, and timeline.
|
MC Number Registration Process
An MC number is required for motor carriers transporting regulated property or passengers in interstate commerce. Different from DOT number.
Who needs MC number
- For-hire interstate motor carriers
- For-hire interstate passenger carriers
- Brokers/freight forwarders (also Property/Household Goods)
Who does NOT need MC number
- Intrastate carriers (state authority only)
- Private (not-for-hire) carriers (DOT number sufficient)
- Some specialized exemptions (agricultural, etc.)
Application steps
- Obtain a DOT number (free, instant via FMCSA)
- Submit OP-1 application (or OP-2 for broker)
- Pay $300 application fee
- Establish insurance (BMC-91 + BMC-91X if applicable)
- Designate process agents in each state of operation (BOC-3)
- Wait for review (30-60 days typical)
- MC number issued
Required documents
- Form OP-1 (or OP-2)
- Form BOC-3 (process agents)
- Form BMC-91 (insurance proof)
- Form BMC-32 (cargo insurance, if applicable)
- USDOT registration (already required)
- Process agent agreements (per state)
Common issues
- Application errors → return to applicant
- Insurance not filed correctly → delay
- Process agents not designated → delay
- Fees not paid → delay
Maintenance
- Annual update of MCS-150 (carrier info update)
- Insurance must remain current
- Process agent agreements maintained
- Annual fees (if any) paid
Renewal vs maintenance
- MC numbers don't expire if maintained
- Failure to maintain → revocation
- Reinstatement possible (but costs + time)
Compass authority module
- MC number tracking
- Insurance + process agent verification
- MCS-150 update reminders
- Renewal scheduling
CFR citations
- 49 CFR Part 365
- 49 CFR Part 387
- FMCSA Operating Authority Application
How Compass surfaces this
Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.
Built by X3 Compass
The AI-powered DOT compliance platform for fleets 1–100 power units. Try a 7-day free trial — no credit card required — at https://x3compass.com/?utm_source=skill&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=auth-mc-number-registration-process
X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.
This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills
