How to Get Dot Number and MC Number: Step by Step Guide (2025)

Starting a trucking business is a smart move toward financial freedom. This business model has great potential and growth with a lot of opportunities to scale. Even after working a year around, owner-operators can buy one more truck and rent it.

But early steps can be a little daunting, and fulfilling legal compliance can be tricky and overwhelming at the start. Especially getting the DOT and MC numbers. But when you get them, your truck is on the road and earning starts.

In this guide, I’ll cover what DOT and MC numbers are, what things are required for obtaining them, the step-by-step process of applying, mistakes to avoid, costs for applying, and much more.

Let’s dive in:

Understanding DOT and MC Number

You may already have some understanding of DOT and MC numbers, but a brief explanation will help beginners.

What Is a DOT Number?

DOT stands for Department of Transportation number. The USDOT number is a unique number that the Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce. 

Purpose: It’s used to track a company’s safety record and ensure compliance with federal regulations. 

Interstate commerce refers to the trade, transportation, or communication between states in the United States or between a state and a place outside the United States.

Intrastate commerce refers to commercial activities and transactions that occur entirely within the boundaries of a single state.

Who Needs It:

• Interstate carriers transporting passengers or cargo.
• Intrastate carriers in states that require a DOT number (e.g., Texas, Florida). Full list of such states.
• Vehicles over 10,000 lbs, or carrying hazardous materials, or 9+ passengers for compensation.

What Is an MC Number?

An MC Number, or Motor Carrier Number, is a unique identifier issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that gives a company legal operating authority to transport regulated goods or passengers for-hire across state lines.

Legal operating authority is the official permission granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that allows a company to legally transport goods or passengers for-hire across state lines.

Purpose: Granting permission to operate commercially in interstate commerce.

Who Needs It:

• For-hire carriers (companies getting paid to move goods or people).
• Carriers transporting regulated commodities across state lines.
• Brokers and freight forwarders also need MC numbers.

What is the difference between a DOT and an MC number?

Below is the comparison table with key differences between the DOT and MC numbers.

Feature	DOT Number	MC Number
Issued By	FMCSA	FMCSA
Required For	All commercial carriers	For-hire interstate carriers
Purpose	Safety and compliance tracking	Legal authority to operate for-hire
Interstate/Intrastate	Both (varies by state)	Only for interstate (cross-state)
Cost	Free	$300 (non-refundable)

Before You Apply: Things You Need to Prepare

It is very important to consider and prepare the things that are required for getting a DOT number, or MC number, or even both. 

What are those things you must have before applying?

Let’s break it down.

Business Entity (LLC, corporation, etc.)

You must register your business with your state before applying. FMCSA requires that your business be a legally recognized entity such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is like a Social Security Number for your business. You’ll need this for tax purposes and to complete your FMCSA registration. You can get an EIN for free from the IRS.

Physical Business Address

The FMCSA requires a physical street address. PO Boxes are not allowed. The FMCSA uses it for official correspondence, safety audits, and inspections.

USDOT Safety Compliance Plan

You must comply with federal safety regulations. This includes:

• Vehicle maintenance program
• Driver qualification files
• Drug & alcohol testing programs (for CDL drivers)
• Hours-of-Service tracking
  

Type of Operation: Carrier, Broker, Freight Forwarder

You must declare the type of business operation during registration:

• Carrier (hauls freight or passengers)
• Broker (arranges transportation without taking possession of cargo)
• Freight Forwarder (arranges and sometimes consolidates shipments)

Choosing the correct operation type is essential because it determines which authority filings and insurance requirements apply.

Insurance Coverage (Required for MC)

If you are applying for an MC number, you’ll need two types of insurance. Liability insurance and possibly cargo insurance are required, depending on your operation. 

Your insurance company must file the forms directly with FMCSA.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a DOT Number?

Once you have prepared all the required things mentioned above, you can get the DOT number in four simple steps. You can complete the entire application online in about 30–60 minutes.

Follow these four simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the FMCSA Website

Go to the official Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Registration Portal:

Here, you’ll find all options related to USDOT registration, MC numbers, and more.

Step 2: Create a USDOT Account

Click on “Register” and create a new FMCSA Portal account. You’ll need to enter your:

• Business name and EIN
• Email address and phone number
• Physical business address

This account will let you access and manage your DOT number, filings, and future updates.

Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application

Next, complete the MCSA-1 form (Unified Registration System). You’ll be asked to provide:

• Business details and structure
• Type of operation (interstate/intrastate, for-hire/private)
• Vehicle information
• Driver and safety compliance information

Make sure all information is accurate and matches your business records.

Step 4: Submit the Application

After reviewing everything carefully, submit the application. Once submitted, you’ll receive a USDOT number immediately upon approval.

Step-by-Step: How to Get an MC Number?

Getting an MC number involves more steps than getting a DOT number, with extra fees. However, you can easily get it by following the five-step process below: 

Step 1: Visit FMCSA’s URS

If you do not have a DOT number, then you first need to create an account with FMCA. The process is mentioned in the above section.

If you already have a DOT number, visit the FMCSA’s legacy registration system. You can apply online with a credit card and mail in the application.

Step 2: Choose Your Authority Type

During the application, you’ll be asked to select your Operating Authority. Options include:

• Motor Carrier of Property (for-hire)
  
• Motor Carrier of Household Goods
  
• Broker of Property or Household Goods
  
• Freight Forwarder
  

Make sure you choose the correct authority that matches your business operation.

Step 3: Fill Out OP-1 Form Details

You’ll complete the digital version of Form OP-1. This form gathers:

• Business contact and EIN
• Type of authority requested
• Cargo classification
• Driver and vehicle information

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

The application fee is $300 per authority type, payable via debit or credit card within the portal. This fee is non-refundable, so double-check your entries before submitting.

Step 5: Get Insurance & BOC-3 Filing

After submitting the application, you must activate your MC number by meeting two key requirements:

1. Insurance Filing: Your insurance company must submit proof of liability and cargo coverage.
2. BOC-3 Filing: A Process Agent must file Form BOC-3 to designate legal representatives in each state.

These must be filed within 90 days of applying, or your application will be dismissed.

How soon will you get the DOT and MC numbers?

You’ll get the DOT number immediately after submitting the MCSA-1 form. 

For the MC (Motor Carrier) number, there is not enough data about how long FMCA takes to assign the MC number.

However, our multiple careers reported that the MC number is subject to a mandatory protest or vetting period of about 10 to 15 days before it becomes active, and you can legally operate under it. 

If the application requires additional review, the process can take 8 weeks or longer. Mail applications for MC numbers can take 45 to 60 days to process

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without insurance: If you submit your MC application without having your insurance, approval may be delayed.

Skipping BOC-3: Forgetting this step will prevent your authority from being activated, even if everything else is approved.

Not knowing which authority type to choose: Not every applicant needs both DOT and MC numbers. Make sure you select the correct operating authority.

Using a P.O. Box instead of a physical address: FMCSA requires a physical business address and not a P.O. Box. When registering, submitting a P.O. Box may lead to delays or rejection of your application.

Do You Need a DOT Number, MC Number, or Both?

When You Need a DOT Number Only

You only need a USDOT number if you:

• Operate within a single state (intrastate) and
  
  • Transport hazardous materials OR
    
  • Operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lbs or more used for business.
    
• Or your state requires a DOT number even for intrastate operations (e.g., CA, TX, NY, FL, etc.)
  

No MC number needed if you don’t cross state lines and don’t haul regulated goods for others for-hire.

When You Need Both DOT and MC Numbers

You need both a DOT and MC number if you:

• Transport goods or passengers for a fee (for-hire)
  
• Operate in interstate commerce (cross-state or country borders)
  
• Haul federally regulated commodities or act as a broker/freight forwarder.
  

MC number = Operating Authority

It shows that you are legally allowed to transport goods for others in interstate commerce.

When You Don’t Need DOT or MC Numbers

You don’t need either number if you:

• Are a private carrier (you transport your own company’s products, not for others)
  
• Operate only intrastate, and your state does not require a DOT number.
  
• Haul only exempt commodities (e.g., unprocessed fruits/vegetables, logs, live animals) within a single state.
  
• Operate in a commercial zone that’s exempt from interstate authority (e.g., around Washington, DC, covering parts of VA and MD)
  

Quick Summary Table

Scenario	Need DOT?	Need MC?
Intrastate, private carrier	Maybe	No
Intrastate, for-hire carrier	Maybe	No
Interstate, private carrier	Yes	No
Interstate, for-hire carrier	Yes	Yes
Interstate broker or freight forwarder	Yes	Yes

How to reactivate the DOT and MC number?

Reactivating the DOT number

Checking Status

Visit the SAFER Company Snapshot web page and check the status of your DOT number. It will be one of the following two statuses, and each status requires a different process for reactivation.

Status 1: “Record Inactive” or “Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4); Biennial update of MCS-150 data not completed”.

You will need to complete, sign, and submit a new Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) to reactivate the USDOT Number.

Status 2: Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4); Biennial update of MCS-150 data not completed

If you see this status, then to reactivate your USDOT number, use your USDOT PIN and reactivate online. But if you have forgotten your PIN or want to request it, follow the link.

Visit for more details: FMCA.

Reactivating the MC number

1. Check Your Authority Status
   

Use the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance System to check if your MC number is listed as inactive or revoked.

2. File the Reactivation Request
   

Complete the Reinstatement of Authority request via the FMCSA legacy registration system or by submitting a Form OCE-46 by mail.

3. Pay the $80 Fee
   

The non-refundable fee must be paid by credit card or check.

4. Resubmit Insurance & BOC-3 (if expired)
   

If your insurance or BOC-3 has lapsed, you’ll need to resubmit both before the FMCSA can reactivate your MC number.

5. Wait for Approval
   

Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks, depending on paperwork and compliance checks.

For More Details: FMCA

What is next after getting the DOT and MC numbers?

If you want a successful start to your trucking business as an owner-operator, you should have the following at this point:

• Legal Entity
• Insurance
• Business Bank Account
• EIN Number
• Truck or Power only
• CDL (If hauling above 26000 lbs)

Once you have all these things in place, just add the final two and voila, you’re ready to roll!

Freight Factoring

Brokers usually pay after 30 to 60 days of delivering the loads. This is highly frustrating for carriers. The common solution is setting up with a factoring company. This company pays the carriers within 24 to 48 hours of delivering the load, but charges a small commission from the total gross of the load.

If you need a factoring setup, we’ll have a good relationship with factoring companies. Reach out to us and we’ll be glad to help you.

Truck Dispatching

You need loads for earnings and a consistent weekly gross. If you find loads by yourself, you need to subscribe to a paid loadboard where you spend money and a lot of time searching for them. Yes, you’ll find the load, but there are very less chances to find high-paying loads and consistent loads.

If you tackle these load-related issues, you also need to make calls with brokers for rate confirmation, packet setup, and rate negotiations.

Besides these, you also have to face issues like TONU, lamper, detention, and layover.

These issues collectively make you highly stressed, distract you from driving, and decrease your earnings, rather than making your trucking business highly profitable.

So, what is the solution?

The solution is simple: hire a truck dispatching company and let it tackle all issues and focus only on driving. They do not just find loads but also help you in every process. This is the reason our truck dispatching company has been operating for more than five years and has served 1100+ happy carriers. We serve owner operators who have dry van, reefer, step deck, box truck, hot shot, power only, or flatbed.

We only earn when you earn. It means, once you deliver the load and get paid, you pay us. No upfront payments. Starting is easy with no contract.

Conclusion

Getting a DOT number and an MC number is easy and straightforward, but first, you have to prepare some documents. Also, make sure that you need both numbers or any one of them. After getting these numbers, you may need to set up with factoring companies and hire a truck dispatcher. Then you are good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions