• Entry-level applicants seeking for-hire carrier authority are required to provide specific information and pay an application fee.

Before beginning operations, a new entrant for-hire carrier must submit an online registration application (MCSA-1) form to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with a $300 fee for each application, file proof of required insurance, and submit a Designation of Process Agents (BOC-3). The MCSA-1 also serves as the application for a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. When all fees and documents have been received and found to be in order by the FMCSA, the USDOT number becomes active and authority to operate is granted.

When applying for operating authority, carriers must indicate whether they will be transporting household goods, general freight, passengers, or hazardous materials. Regulations for insurance, tariffs, etc. vary for different carrier types.

At a later date determined by the FMCSA, a $300 fee will also apply to obtain the “safety registration.” This new provision was part of the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS-1) rule; however, the URS-1 rule has been delayed indefinitely by the FMCSA.