How Do Car Movers Get An MC Number?

1. Step 1 Online Application
2. A) First-Time Applicants
3. B) Additional Authority
4. Step 2 Tracking Application Status

The same way a Sheriff is responsible for enforcing law and regulations in a County is the same way the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), monitors activities in the Car Movers Industry. The governing body is a subordinate of the U.S Department of Transportation. Its main duties include issuing commercial drivers’ licenses, regulating compliance, and enforcing motor carrier safety rules. A-1 Auto Transport complies with the rules and regulations as compelled by our philosophy.

As a regulation, all Car Mover Companies must have Motor Carrier Numbers (MC Numbers) in addition to a US DOT Number. The USDOT Number is a unique pin that the Department of Transportation uses to monitor all events pertaining to the company including audits, accidents, general investigations, and safety information. An MC Number is a special code granted by FMCSA that grants the carrier's authority to operate and cross state lines in the case of long transits. The MC Number also acts as a “chip” that allows the department of transportation to track freight brokers from wherever they may be operating.

The process that car movers use to acquire an MC number is as simple as ABC. However, one ought to be careful of misleading and fraudulent solicitations from third parties who use your information for their personal gain. With that in mind, it goes without saying that all MC number registrations must be done via the official FMCSA registration site.

Step 1: Online Application

Here, there are two unique processes: for 1^st time applicants and for additional authority; those car movers that had previously registered with FMCSA for a USDOT number. The application processes differ slightly at first then mirror each other towards the end. The standard filing fees for both options is $300.00 for permanent authority.

A) First-time applicants

Car movers that don’t have any records whatsoever with FMCSA have to register via the unified registration system. Here, the car mover does the following.

1. Click New User.

Here, a unique identifier is given to the car mover. The moving company then proceeds to create a password for security purposes.

1. Answer all questions asked.

All questions marked “*” are mandatory. Questions here are poised in an online form where you get to fill the appropriate responses such as your Social Security Number, company officer’s names and titles, etc.

1. Filing Financial Responsibility Notice.

This involves filing binding financial obligations by attaching evidence filed with the FMCSA. All car mover companies, including A-1 Auto Transport, must give a certain level of financial responsibility. A-1 Auto Transport files its financial responsibility via its auto shipper insurance.

1. Filing Designation of Process Agent Notice

Car movers are required to disclose the process of their operations before being granted an MC number. Evidence of filing this is also required as an attachment to the FMCSA.

1. Granting of an active USDOT Number.

After successful registration, FMCSA grants the moving company a USDOT number. Authorization.

For the registration to be fully active, it needs authorization from signatories depicted through the system. It is only after this that the car company can apply for an MC number.

At this point, the car mover firm has its records with FMCSA together with a USDOT number and can now proceed to apply for the MC number through the additional authority option.

B) Additional Authority.

Application for MC numbers by those car moving firms with USDOT numbers is done via FMCSA Legacy Registration System.

1. Log in.

The car mover company has to log into FMCSA for an application using the registration tracking number, also known as USDOT number.

1. Apply for MC number.

The application is done via the form provided together with your credit card. The completed applications together with the credit card payments are then mailed to this address.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, MC-RS

Washington, DC 20590

It takes 20-25 business days for the MC Number to be approved.

Step 2: Tracking Application Status

The car mover company can then track their application status via the SAFER website. Tracking the application status is a piece of cake. On normal occasions, the MC number documents are sent to you within 3 or 4 days after the number has been formally granted. However, if you still wish to view the progress of your application, simply;

• Click on Licensing and Insurance from the FMCSA Searches option.
• From the pop-up window that appears, enter the car mover company’s USDOT or MC number and click on Search.
• You shall be redirected to the records FMCSA kept for your car mover company. Click on HTML.
• Hover around the page until you find Authority History. Click on it to display the date your operating authority was granted.

Further information is found on the FMCSA Online Query Form.