What operating authority is
According to FMCSA, companies that transport passengers or federally regulated commodities owned by others in interstate commerce for compensation, or that arrange that transport, generally need interstate operating authority in addition to a USDOT number. The authority is identified by a docket number with an MC, FF or MX prefix.
The USDOT number identifies the company for safety records. The docket identifies what the company is allowed to do. One company can hold several authorities.
Types of authority
- Motor carrier of property: hauls freight for others.
- Household goods carrier: moves household goods, with additional consumer rules.
- Passenger carrier: carries passengers for hire.
- Broker: arranges transportation by authorized carriers; must also meet the financial security requirement.
- Freight forwarder: assembles and ships freight under its own responsibility.
What the statuses mean
In FMCSA’s authority datasets an authority is typically Active, Pending, Inactive or Withdrawn. The history shows events such as a grant, an involuntary suspension (often after an insurance cancellation), a revocation or a reinstatement. Read the current status together with the most recent events.
How to check a carrier’s authority
- Look up the carrier by USDOT or MC number.
- Open the profile and read each authority type and its status.
- Check the authority timeline for recent suspensions or revocations and the insurance filing behind the authority.
- Confirm the current status in FMCSA’s official system before booking.
Broker authority vs carrier authority
A carrier with only motor carrier authority may haul freight but may not broker it. Re-brokering without broker registration is unlawful brokerage under federal law; see double brokering.
Sources
- FMCSA: Get operating authority (docket number) ↗
- FMCSA authority dataset ↗
- FMCSA authority history dataset ↗