Federal operating authority (MC Number) from the FMCSA is required for all interstate for-hire motor carriers of non-exempt property and passengers, brokers, and freight forwarders.
These interstate entities must also register in a base state with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).
Interstate carriers of exempt commodities, private carriers, and leasing companies are not required to obtain FMCSA operating authority (MC Number). However, they are subject to registration with the UCR.
FMCSA operating authority/MC Number and UCR registration authorize interstate travel only.
Carriers wishing to operate intrastate may be subject to intrastate authority registration, depending upon the state of operation.