Motor Carrier (MC) Number

An identifier issued by the FMCSA that grants a company the legal authority to operate as a for-hire carrier in interstate commerce.

A Motor Carrier (MC) number, also known as operating authority, is an identifier assigned by the FMCSA to entities that transport regulated commodities for compensation across state lines. While a USDOT number registers a company with the FMCSA for safety tracking, an MC number provides the legal license to conduct business as a for-hire carrier. Different types of authority exist, such as for a motor carrier of property (excluding household goods), a broker of property, or a carrier of household goods. To obtain an active MC number, a carrier must not only register but also provide proof of public liability insurance (such as BIPD coverage using Form BMC-91) and designate a process agent for legal purposes (Form BOC-3). Private carriers hauling their own goods or carriers operating exclusively within a single state's commercial zone typically need a USDOT Number but not an MC Number. For owner-operators and small fleets, the MC number is essential for getting paid by brokers and shippers for interstate loads.

Example

An owner-operator with a new USDOT number cannot legally accept a load from a broker to haul from Florida to Georgia until they also obtain an active MC number and their required insurance filing is processed by the FMCSA.