How to get your trucking authority in 2026

You have decided to get your own trucking authority, and that is a big step. The paperwork can look like a lot, but the core of it comes down to three things.

You apply for a USDOT number and an MC number in Motus, FMCSA’s new online registration system. You pay $300 for each type of authority, and your insurance company sends FMCSA proof of coverage. Once FMCSA has all of that on file, it typically grants your authority.

Before you apply, it helps to know exactly what you are applying for. FMCSA uses two numbers, and most for-hire carriers need both. This guide explains how those numbers fit together, then covers what to do before you apply, how to apply in Motus, and what comes after FMCSA approves you.

What should you know about getting your trucking authority in 2026?

Your trucking authority, also called operating authority, is the permission to haul federally regulated freight owned by others across state lines. Most for-hire carriers need two numbers to get it.

A USDOT number identifies your company for safety and registration tracking. An MC number is a docket number that grants the authority itself. Both appear on your public FMCSA record, which brokers and shippers check before they hire you.

Docket numbers are labeled “MC,” “FF,” or “MX” by authority type, and some carriers need more than one. Some states also require their own intrastate authority.

The way you get your authority changed in 2026. In May, FMCSA moved registration to a new online system called Motus, where first-time applicants verify their identity with a Login.gov account, a government-issued ID, and a smartphone or tablet.

FMCSA has said it plans to phase out MC numbers someday, but that is still only a plan. FMCSA’s April 2026 Federal Register notice gave no date, and its Motus fact sheet confirms Motus still issues MC numbers.

Your new USDOT number will also look a little different from older ones. It carries a letter that shows the registration type, such as C for property carrier, and FMCSA randomizes newly issued numbers to help prevent fraud. Carriers who already have a USDOT number keep it as is.

What should you do before you apply?

Before applying for your authority, run a couple of checks to make the process go smoothly. Make sure the type of authority you apply for matches what you haul, since the MC number requirements depend on the type of freight you move.

Pick a name and register your company with your state, typically through the secretary of state’s office. Some states ask you to file under an assumed name, or “doing business as” (DBA), so check your state’s official website.

Choose a business structure, such as a limited liability company, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. A certified public accountant can help you compare them. You will also want an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax purposes.

Start talking with insurance agents too. FMCSA will not grant your authority until your insurance company files proof of coverage, so it helps to have a company lined up before you apply.

How do you apply for trucking authority in Motus?

Apply in Motus, FMCSA’s registration system. Have your truck information ready, including VIN, year, and weight, along with your tax ID, incorporation details, and license plate information.

1. Create your Motus profile and verify your identity

Create a Motus profile and verify your identity with Login.gov. Go to motus.dot.gov directly instead of using a link from an email, since FMCSA’s fraud alerts page lists fake Motus sites and emails, and our post on phishing and smishing scams shows what those messages look like.

2. Apply for your USDOT number and operating authority

Choose the authority type your work requires, and only the types your business needs. FMCSA does not refund fees for mistaken applications, so double check before you submit and pay.

3. Get your insurance and process agent on file

Your insurance company files proof of insurance with FMCSA, and FMCSA will not grant your authority until the required liability coverage is on file. The agency’s insurance filing requirements page lists the minimum for each type of cargo. If you are new, getting approved for commercial insurance can take time.

You also need a process agent on file. A process agent is a business in each state where you operate that receives legal documents on your behalf, and a single agent can cover all states.

After you apply, FMCSA publishes your application in its Register. If your insurance filing is not made within 20 days of publication, FMCSA notifies you that the application will be dismissed unless you comply within 60 days, so stay in touch with your insurance company.

How do you check your trucking authority status?

Wondering where your application stands? Search your MC or USDOT number on FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance website to see whether your operating authority has been issued. Complete the verification and click Search.

When the carrier results appear, click HTML, scroll to the bottom, and click Authority History to see the date your authority was granted.

If 10 or more business days pass after the grant date and your authority documents have not arrived, call FMCSA at 800-832-5660. FMCSA’s instructions were last updated in April 2026, before Motus launched, so the steps may change as the agency updates its site.

What comes after you get your authority?

Once FMCSA grants your authority, you are close. A few more steps stand between you and your first load.

Register for UCR

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is an annual registration for motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. Fees depend on how many commercial motor vehicles you operate. Registration for 2027 opened October 1, 2026, and you can register through the UCR system.

Check whether you owe HVUT

The heavy vehicle use tax (HVUT) is an annual federal tax on heavy highway vehicles. The IRS says Form 2290 covers vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, so not every truck owes it.

Set up drug and alcohol testing

If you or your drivers hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you will need a drug and alcohol testing program, and drivers must pass a pre-employment drug test before they drive. Read FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing rules before you hire.

Keep your registration current

FMCSA requires you to update your registration every two years, and you file it in Motus. FMCSA has temporarily paused enforcement of the update for companies whose filing was due on or after June 1, 2026, but a missed update can lead to USDOT inactivation, so check FMCSA’s current guidance before you rely on the pause.

Our guide to DOT compliance covers the safety and hours of service rules that apply once you are on the road.

Put your authority to work

Getting your authority takes a Motus application and insurance on file, and keeping it takes a biennial update every two years. With those in place, you are ready to haul.

Once your authority is active, the next question is where your freight comes from. Finding consistent, profitable loads is the next hurdle for many new carriers, and knowing your cost per mile shows which loads are worth taking.

To find those loads in one place, the Carrier Load Board lets you search loads by lane and equipment type, see how much competition a load has, and see whether a broker is approved for factoring.

You have done the work to get here, and your first paid load is the next step.

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