1. Understanding Authority Statuses
The FMCSA Licensing & Insurance (L&I) system classifies authority into distinct statuses: Active, Inactive, Revoked, or Pending. Engaging a carrier whose authority is revoked or inactive can lead to severe regulatory violations and uninsured cargo liabilities.
2. Identifying Authority Categories
Carriers may hold multiple types of authority depending on their commercial scope:
- Common Carrier Authority: Authorized to transport regulated goods for the general public.
- Contract Carrier Authority: Authorized to haul for specific shippers under dedicated bilateral contracts.
- Broker of Property: Authorized to arrange transportation of freight without operating motor vehicles.