MC Number vs DOT Number: What's the Difference?
If you're starting a trucking company, you've probably seen two terms come up over and over: DOT number and MC number. They sound similar, and plenty of new carriers mix them up. But they're not the same thing, and knowing the difference matters for staying legal on the road.
Here's the short version: A DOT number identifies your company for safety tracking and is required anytime you’re using heavy commercial vehicles. An MC number gives you legal authority to haul freight for hire across state lines. Some carriers need both. Some only need one.
Let's break it down.
What is a DOT Number?
A USDOT number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA uses it to track your safety record, including inspections, crashes, compliance reviews, and audits.
Every motor carrier operating a commercial vehicle needs a DOT number if the vehicle:
Weighs over 10,001 lbs (gross vehicle weight rating or gross combined weight rating)
Is designed to transport 9 or more passengers for compensation
Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers not for compensation
Transports hazardous materials requiring a placard
Even if you never cross state lines, you probably still need a DOT number. Most states have adopted these same rules for intrastate carriers. Currently, 39 states require DOT numbers for intrastate commercial vehicles.
The DOT number itself is free. There's no FMCSA fee to apply for one.
Read our other article that provides a state-by-state breakdown for Intrastate DOT numbers.
What is an MC Number?
An MC number (Motor Carrier number) is your operating authority. It's the legal permission to transport goods or passengers for hire in interstate commerce.
The key phrase there is "for hire." If you're hauling someone else's freight and getting paid for it, and you're crossing state lines, you need an MC number.
MC numbers are also called "operating authority" or "docket numbers." Brokers and freight forwarders get similar numbers (MC for brokers, FF for freight forwarders).
Applying for an MC number costs $300, paid to the FMCSA. After you apply, there's a 21-day waiting period before your authority can be activated. During that time, you need to get insurance and file a BOC-3 (process agent designation).
Do You Need Both?
It depends on your operation.
You need both a DOT number and MC number if you:
Operate for hire (getting paid to haul other people's freight)
Cross state lines
Transport non-exempted commodities
You only need a DOT number if you:
Haul your own goods (private carrier)
Stay within one state (intrastate only)
Haul exempt commodities like unprocessed agricultural products
Operate only in a federally designated commercial zone
Quick examples:
Owner-operator hauling freight from Texas to Oklahoma for a shipper = needs both DOT and MC
Landscaping company hauling their own equipment between job sites = DOT only
Local farmer hauling their own produce to market = may be exempt from both, depending on state
How to Apply For a DOT Number
Go to the FMCSA's Unified Registration System (URS)
Create a Login.gov account if you don't have one
Complete the registration form with your company information
Submit the application
Your DOT number is issued immediately after you complete the application. There's no fee for the DOT number itself.
TIPS tip: Get a google voice phone number & set up an alternate email for your application if you want to avoid your personal phone & email from being inundated with solicitations.
How to Apply for Operating Authority
If you need operating authority (what used to be called an MC number), the process is similar:
Log into the FMCSA's Unified Registration System
Apply for operating authority during your initial registration, or add it later if you already have a DOT number
Pay the $300 FMCSA filing fee
Wait for your authority to be generated (usually the next business day)
File a BOC-3 (process agent designation)
Get required insurance and have your insurer file proof with the FMCSA
Wait out the 21-day waiting period
Your authority becomes active after the waiting period ends, your insurance is on file, and your BOC-3 is attached.
What Happens if You Operate Without Proper Authority?
Operating without a DOT number or without proper authority when required can result in:
Fines up to $16,000 per violation
Being placed out of service
Having your vehicles impounded
Being barred from load boards and broker freight
It's not worth the risk. The application process takes a few weeks, and the fees are manageable. Getting caught without proper authority can cost you far more.
Common Questions
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You can operate intrastate (within one state) while waiting for your interstate authority to become active. But you cannot haul freight across state lines for hire until your authority is fully active.
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Depends on the contract structure. If you're operating under their authority as a leased driver, you may not need your own. If you're an independent contractor with your own authority, you do. Check with the company's compliance department.
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You'll need to reapply. If it was dismissed because you didn't file insurance or a BOC-3 in time, you can often apply again with the same process. If it was revoked for safety violations or lapse in insurance or boc3 coverage, you may need to address those issues first.
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Yes. Brokers need broker authority (MC number). Freight forwarders need FF authority. Both require a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund.
Bottom Line
A DOT number identifies your company for safety tracking. An MC number (operating authority) gives you legal permission to haul freight for hire across state lines. Most for-hire interstate carriers need both.
If you're not sure what applies to your situation, talk to a compliance professional before you start hauling loads. Getting this right from the beginning saves you headaches down the road.
TIPS (Total Insight Professional Services) helps trucking companies get started and stay compliant. We offer free DOT number filing, operating authority applications, and full start-up packages for new carriers. Contact us for a free consultation.