MoveBoardThe FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is the part of the US Department of Transportation that registers interstate motor carriers and enforces the household-goods rules (49 CFR Part 375) and the safety rules (hours of service, drivers, vehicles).
USDOT number
A USDOT number identifies a company's safety record. A mover needs one when it runs commercial vehicles in interstate commerce — and many states require one for intrastate work too. The number must be shown:
- on both sides of each commercial vehicle,
- on the bill of lading and estimates,
- in advertising, including the company's website (49 CFR 375.207).
MC number (operating authority)
An MC number is the operating authority to carry household goods for hire across state lines. A mover applies to the FMCSA, files proof of insurance, names a process agent in each state, and joins an arbitration program before it can move interstate shipments. Brokers — companies that sell moves but don't carry them — need their own broker authority.
Keep them current
- Update your registration every two years (the biennial update), and when your fleet or business changes.
- Keep your insurance filings active — a lapse can revoke your operating authority.
- Customers can look any mover up on the FMCSA's website by USDOT or MC number and check its registration and safety record.
In MoveBoard
- Type your numbers in Settings › Company & branches › Company info, the Licenses card: US DOT license, MC license and Local license (your state or local license number).
- They print on your documents — the long-distance bill of lading names the carrier and its US DOT number, as 49 CFR 375.505 asks.
- A Canadian company types its National Safety Code number in Local license instead — see Moving in Canada.