Do You Need a BOC-3 for Intrastate Trucking Operations?
Suppose you want to operate a trucking company under the authority of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Do you have a Blanket of Coverage, or BOC-3 form, on file with the organization? If not, you might ask "Do I need a BOC-3 for intrastate traveling?" and that answer would be yes, especially for businesses and brokers who handle multi-state trucking.
FMCA Filings regularly assists with BOC-3 registrations and other such forms, so we’ve shared some information below. Continue reading to learn why you need to have this document on file with the FMCSA for intrastate and interstate trucking.
What Is a BOC-3 Form?
The FMCSA requires BOC-3 forms for motor carriers and brokers conducting interstate business anywhere in the country. The organization exempts most carriers with intrastate operations from filing a BOC-3 form. Yet, it's good to have if:
- You're a motor carrier broker.
- You're a trucking business owner who intends to spread business operations into another state.
- State regulations require it.
The BOC-3 form is usually not necessary for intrastate hauling. The form gives authority to a specific person or office in a different state to accept legal documents on your business's behalf as long as you do business or haul goods through that particular state. The agency or person listed in the BOC-3 will then forward the documents to your headquarters.
Who Needs To Have a BOC-3 for Intrastate Transport?
Any carrier, broker, or freight forwarder with interstate dealings or state-mandated requirements must have a BOC-3 on file with the FMCSA. Without one, you cannot get a motor carrier authority filing or reinstate your motor carrier or freight forwarder number if you lose it. If you want to complete and submit a BOC-3 form, gather the following information:
- The full name and address of your trucking business
- The name and title of whoever you authorize to sign documents on your company's behalf
- The name and address of every state's process agent
Is a BOC-3 Form Something You Can File on Your Own?
Do I need a BOC-3 for intrastate trucking? Yes.
Can you file a BOC-3 form yourself? No.
To file a BOC-3, you must have a process agent (the only exception is if you're a freight forwarder or a motor carrier broker).
What is a BOC-3 or FMCSA Process Agent?
You would authorize your BOC-3 process agent, or FMCSA agent, to accept legal documents for your business. You'll need these legal representatives in every state in which your transportation business operates, regardless of operational capacity. You’ll have to list all these process agents or authorized organizations on your BOC-3, with the physical addresses in the state that each one represents.
Typically, process agents handle the delivery of documentation pertaining to legal complaints or summons for the trucking business within a state. The authority the BOC-3 bestows on the representative ensures your business gets all this legal paperwork and communication promptly.
You can be your business’s own process agent for your transportation company's home state if you have a physical address and operate within normal business hours to receive legal communication. For this same reason, remember to choose a process agent in other states who is also available during business hours.
What To Expect When Filing a BOC-3 Form
In most cases, filing a BOC-3 form starts before a logistics or transportation company applies for their MC number. Once you have the necessary information for the BOC-3, you can provide it to FMCA Filings so that the representative can complete and submit the documentation to the FMCSA.
We'll ensure everything is in perfect order. Accuracy eliminates the risk of rejection by the government agency receiving your BOC-3 form.
The Average Timeframe for Filing a BOC-3 Form
Our FMCA Filings representatives can handle electronic BOC-3 form filings for your convenience.
Once the FMCSA accepts your documentation, it issues authority to all respective parties. After that, they may send out necessary operating authority documents within three to four business days.
When Is Refiling a BOC-3 Necessary?
Your BOC-3 form doesn't have an expiration date. It should remain on your FMCSA account indefinitely.
However, you may need to refile the form for the following reasons:
- Name changes
- Changes to or transfer of authority
- Reinstating someone’s authority
Maintain Trucking Compliance With BOC-3 Form Completion by FMCA Filings
Do I need a BOC-3 for intrastate operations? Can you file BOC-3 yourself? FMCA Filing can answer any and all of your questions regarding these important documents and processes.
Turn to FMCA Filings to complete and file these documents for intrastate and interstate trucking. Our goal is to make it easier for all motor carriers and brokers to comply with federal and state trucking regulations. Give us a call or request more information using our convenient live chat feature or by submitting our online contact form.