Can I Put My Trucking Authority on Hold?

The Department of Transportation allows various common, contract, or broker operating authority (MC number) statuses. Many companies and motor carriers rely on their ability to alter their status voluntarily.

Such situations call for different questions than if you were to try to register for a USDOT number. This guide answers questions such as: Can I put my trucking authority on hold, and what reasons can I use to authorize that change? What notifications do I need to give the DOT to do so?

Learn about pausing your MC number and how to submit that request.

What Is an MC Number?

USDOT numbers identify all carriers operating in interstate commerce. Then, MC numbers identify carriers for regulated commodity transportation in interstate commerce. Regulated products refer to legal items under the jurisdiction of one of many state or federal organizations, such as:

• Food
• Cosmetics
• Dietary supplements
• Human and veterinary drugs
• Medical devices for human use
• Vaccines and other biological products

Three other types of MC authority holders allow carriers to transport household goods, broker property, and carry numerous passengers. Each number requires the basic application process with additional steps for each qualification.

Carriers with an MC number need a USDOT number first. Those with Mexican-domiciled authority (MX) or freight forwarder authority (FF) also require USDOT numbers, though they may not need an MC or other type.

Reasons To Temporarily Revoke an MC Number

Once you have an MC number, you can pause it (essentially, put it on hold) by temporarily revoking it. 

MC numbers require more paperwork and money to obtain than general DOT registration. You would go through this process if you are suspending operations, but there is another reason to pause your MC number. Because of the way the process works, you cannot disassociate your USDOT or MC number from yourself even if you change your business model. 

For example, consider an example in which you operate a moving company but want to branch into cosmetics transport for a small business. You will require different motor carrier authorization due to the change in your cargo and business model, but you will have the same DOT number.

So you might ask, “Can I put my trucking authority on hold while pausing the moving business?” The answer is yes; you can voluntarily revoke your MC number under certain conditions.

One condition, as mentioned, includes if you are changing business functions and will not dedicate time to the upkeep of the current MC number. Failing to do so by the last day of your biennial update month accrues a daily fine of up to $1,000 and, eventually, DOT number inactivation.

You can also pause your authority if you intend to cease all business functions. Since you cannot completely dispose of your MC number, you and your company would look better by voluntarily revoking authority.

How To Pause Your MC Number

If you want to put your trucking authority on hold, you must fill out several forms before canceling any fleet insurance you have. If you cancel your insurance before fulfilling voluntary revocation requirements, the DOT could register the issue as involuntary.

Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules, you should follow these steps to pause your MC number:

1. Check that your USDOT and MC numbers are both currently “authorized.” If they are, you can submit form OCE-46 to request “Voluntary Revocation” of your operating authority. Remember, this step only updates your MC, MX, or FF operating authority and does not affect your DOT registration.
2. To update or deactivate your DOT registration, fill out an MCS-150, or if you’re a hazmat carrier, MCS-150B. Updating or deactivating depends on the “reason for filing” section of the form.

FMCA Filings makes temporarily revoking your MC number easy. You can complete these steps online with help from our experts.

Reactivating Your Trucking Authority

If you have a deactivated MC number, you can reactivate it online through FMCA Filings. You could reactivate your trucking authority if you previously deactivated it using the steps above or if the DOT revoked it due to failure to provide proof of insurance or another reason.

Once you reactivate the MC number by submitting the necessary forms on the convenient FMCA Filings online portal, you’ll also need to file an updated proof of insurance, Unified Carrier Registration, and BOC-3 (processing agent) forms.

You Don’t Have to Work Alone

So, can I put my trucking authority on hold? The answer is yes; you can put your MC number on hold online. At FMCA Filings, we make the process of filing the necessary paperwork with the DOT easy. We can help when you need to update USDOT information or voluntarily revoke your MC number. 

With our easy-to-use online portal, you’ll know exactly what forms you need to fill out, and you can submit them in a few simple steps. We can also answer questions about 

For fast and efficient service, contact FMCA Filings today and chat with our Live Agents.