What Authorized for Property Means on Your FMCSA Record

What does authorized for property mean on FMCSA records? This designation allows the trucking company to transport property across state lines for compensation. Selecting the motor carrier (MC) trucking authority for your company that matches your cargo is a key part of completing your FMCSA compliance checklist.

Discover how FMCA Filings can help you manage all your FMCSA regulations and rules, ensuring your trucking company remains compliant.

What Does the Authorized for Property Status Mean?

The authorized for property meaning specifies the types of goods you can legally carry to remain in DOT compliance. As a common carrier of property, your company is receiving payment to transport property for the general public.

When your trucks are “authorized for property,” you can transport regulated commodities, other than household goods.

To receive this authorization, your company must show proof of insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage. However, you do not have to carry cargo insurance when using this designation.

You have to file proof of insurance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCA Filings specializes in helping our clients file this information with the FMCSA, keeping them in compliance with all requirements.

Different Types of Motor Carrier Operating Authority

What does authorized for property mean on FMCSA records, and what are the different FMCSA carrier classifications available? Companies that receive payment for transporting items for customers must carry “authorized for hire” designations under the FMCSA. With the correct operating authority designation in place, your company can receive payment for transporting items across state lines using your company trucks.

If your company’s drivers cross state lines, you need an operating authority. 

Motor Carrier of Property

This designation allows for the transportation of commodities across state lines that don’t include household goods. 

Motor Carrier of Household Goods

With this designation, trucking companies can transport household goods for the general public in exchange for payment. The FMCSA defines household goods as personal items that someone would use in their residence. This designation requires the trucking company to carry cargo insurance.

Passenger Carrier

If you’re using a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that transports passengers, you might need this designation. Whether you need this operating authority depends on the weight of the CMV and the total number of passengers it is capable of carrying.

How To Obtain the Correct Authorization for Property Designation

What does authorized for property mean on FMCSA records, and how do you start the application process? You start by obtaining a USDOT number. FMCA Filings can handle the registration process for you when you need to complete a new USDOT number application.

After obtaining a USDOT number, you can complete an application for a motor carrier (MC) authority form. You’ll need to fill out the form that matches the operating authority that applies to the items you’re carrying for hire. 

Again, FMCA Filings can manage this process for you, ensuring that your MC number is associated with your USDOT number. These two related numbers perform different functions. The MC number gives your company the right to operate across state lines, while the USDOT number focuses on the company’s safety data.

Different Operating Authority Status Options

After filing all the forms, the FMCSA website should display your operating authority status. If you can’t find the information about your status on the website, our team at FMCA Filings can find it for you and make sure everything is accurate.

Authorized

If you’re listed as “authorized,” it means you can operate as a for-hire company for the listed categories – passenger, property, or household goods.

Not Authorized

A “not authorized” designation means your company cannot engage in for-hire operations. Your company has no operating authority associated with your MC number. If this designation appears to be in error, the team at FMCA Filings can track down the problem and ensure the FMCSA updates its information.

Out of Service

If your company is under an out-of-service order, it means you are not authorized to operate as a for-hire carrier. FMCA Filings can communicate with the FMCSA on your behalf to remedy this situation if the out-of-service order is in error.

At FMCA Filings, We Help You Understand Your FMCSA Property Carrier Authority Requirements

What does authorized for property mean on FMCSA records and how can you pick the right operating authority designation? Our team at FMCA Filings can help you manage your MC trucking authority to ensure compliance. Should the regulations change, we will explain the changes and help you make the decisions needed to remain in compliance.

To learn more about the services we offer, contact us through our live chat function.