Operating Authority

FMCSA authorization required to transport regulated freight or passengers for hire in interstate commerce, represented by an MC number.

Operating authority is separate from a USDOT number — a carrier may need both. For-hire passenger carriers, freight brokers, and many for-hire freight carriers need operating authority. Owner-operators leased exclusively to a carrier operate under that carrier's authority. Those who operate under their own authority must obtain their own MC number and comply with all carrier obligations.

Related: mc number , dot number , fmcsa , owner operator

Last updated: May 28, 2026