1. Definition and Governance
FMCSA Operating Authority is the formal administrative certification that allows commercial trucking companies, passenger operators, freight brokers, and freight forwarders to conduct interstate transportation business legally in the United States.
Without active operating authority, a company is restricted to non-regulated private operations or purely intrastate commerce subject to state jurisdiction.
2. Maintaining Good Standing
To keep operating authority in good standing, carriers must continuously satisfy three key requirements:
- 1. Continuous Insurance Coverage: Keep active BMC-91X liability or BMC-84 surety bonds on file without gaps in coverage.
- 2. Active Process Agents: Maintain a current Form BOC-3 designating legal process agents in every state of operation.
- 3. Biennial Census Compliance: Submit Form MCS-150 census updates on schedule every two years.