A brutally honest, mover-approved guide – for Household Goods (HHG) Carriers and Brokers.
Welcome to the glamorous world of federal paperwork! If you’ve ever dreamed of spending your weekend clicking “Next” 47 times and wondering if your password has enough special characters, congratulations – you’re ready to apply for your Operating Authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – that means an MC number and a USDOT number.
🛑 IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: Inter-state vs. Intra-state
This entire guide is for Interstate moves – meaning you cross a state line (e.g., New York to New Jersey). If you only move people Intrastate (within a single state, like Dallas to Houston), you typically need authority from your state government, not the FMCSA. Don’t get an MC number if you don’t need it – it’s just another thing to maintain.
Whether you’re hauling sofas as an HHG carrier or selling moves as a broker, here’s the real-world guide the FMCSA forgot to write.
Step-by-Step: HHG Edition (A.K.A. “Hurry Before FMCSA Notices You’re Moving Without Paperwork”)
Step 1: Get Your Game Face On (a.k.a. the USDOT Number)
Before you touch a steering wheel, you need a USDOT number. Think of it as your truck’s social security number – but with more clicking and less coffee.
- Go to https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/UrsRegistrationWizard/. Warning: government website. Pack snacks.
- Click “Take me to LOGIN.GOV.”
- Either sign in or create an account.
- Enter your email (don’t use your old MySpace one).
- Pick your language.
- Read and accept the terms – no skipping!
- Check your email for a confirmation link.
- Create a 12-character password (upper case, lower case, number, special character, drop of your soul).
- Choose your authentication method – text message is easiest.
- Enter the code sent to your phone.
- Agree and continue.
Now you’re in!
If you’re helping someone else (like your cousin Carl who still thinks “MC” means “Mighty Carrier”), you’ll need a Power of Attorney – because FMCSA doesn’t do “my buddy said it’s okay.”
Next, select whether you’re a Returning Applicant or a New Applicant.
Then review the next 8 pages (yes, 8) carefully – this is not the time to zone out. You’ll be given an Applicant ID – tattoo it mentally, you’ll need it later.
Click “Next.” The circus begins.
Step 2: Don’t Panic When the Yellow Button Doesn’t Light Up
If the “Next” button stays grey and lifeless – it’s not you, it’s your application. Check for empty fields or unchecked boxes. Any mistakes will show up with an orange exclamation point like a digital slap on the wrist. Fix them, and move on.
Pro tip: Bookmark the FMCSA Glossary of URS Terms at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/urs-glossary-of-terms. Because yes, they have their own language.
Step 3: Choose Your Destiny – Carrier, Broker, or Freight Forwarder
Household Goods Carrier (HHG)
- You own the trucks, you move the stuff, you sweat for a living.
Broker
- You sell moves, move no couches, and dodge liability like Neo in The Matrix.
Freight Forwarder
- You consolidate freight and play shipping Tetris – but if you don’t handle freight that way, just select “No” when asked if you’re providing Freight Forwarder services.
Pick the wrong one and you’ll be explaining “why you lied” during an audit. That’s not fun.
Step 4: USDOT Number = Free. Operating Authority = Not Free
The good news: your USDOT number costs $0.00.
The bad news: your Operating Authority will cost $300 – per authority type (OP-1 Form in URS). Non-refundable. Yes, even if you “accidentally hit submit twice.”
Do it online. Keep your story straight. The FMCSA checks things like your company name, address, EIN, and soul.
If the system tries to charge you for the USDOT number itself, something’s wrong. Do not enter your card – call the FMCSA Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660 or send a help request at https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/ask/.
Step 5: Get Insurance Like a Real Company
- HHG Carriers must file bodily injury and property damage (BIPD) and cargo insurance.
- Brokers don’t need cargo insurance, but they must post a $75,000 broker bond (BMC-84) or trust agreement (BMC-85).
Insurance is filed electronically by your provider using Form BMC-91X and BMC-34. Nothing is real until it shows up in FMCSA records.
⏰ The Insurance Ping-Pong Warning:
This is the step where most applications stall out. Your insurance agent files your forms, but it can take days for the FMCSA’s system to “talk” to the insurance company’s system. You cannot proceed until this paperwork is officially logged by the FMCSA. Do not rely on a binder or an email from your agent – check the FMCSA SAFER system yourself, and resist the urge to throw your laptop..
Step 6: File Your BOC-3 Form (Process Agent Form)
This one’s easy. It designates a person or service to accept legal papers on your behalf when customers get spicy and decide to take legal action for reasons such as your definition of “delivery window” was too creative.
Do it online. Takes about 2 minutes. No excuses.
Step 7: Wait for Activation
Once your application, insurance, and BOC-3 are filed, FMCSA posts your information publicly for a 10-day protest period. Think of it as your hazing ritual into legality.
As long as your insurance (Step 5) and process agent (Step 6) are both filed and showing up as active in the system, you should be granted your authority immediately after this 10 days is up (although it could take up to 28 days).
Boom, you’re legal.
Step 8: Welcome to Compliance (Population: You)
You’re not done yet. FMCSA will audit you within 12 months as part of the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program.
You must keep your:
- Driver qualification files
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Insurance proof
- Accident registers
Also, file your MCS-150 updates every two years, or your USDOT number will be on life support.
If you like sleep, read the Motor Carrier Safety Planner at https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/SafetyPlanner/MyFiles/TOC.aspx. It’s riveting – in a government-manual kind of way.
Step 9: Let CSI Do It For You. (Or, “just pay the experts.”)
For $600 you get to keep your weekend, your sanity, and avoid a metric ton of frustration. Seriously, skip the government headache and the whole FMCSA circus, outsource this tedious, time-sucking step to the CSI pros who live and breathe it. You focus on moves; we deal with forms written by people who’ve clearly never lifted a sofa. We consider it an investment in your peace of mind. Totally worth it.
Congratulations – you just learned how to get your USDOT number and Operating Authority without losing your truck, your mind, or your sense of humor.
Special Notes for Brokers
- You cannot touch, transport, or supervise freight. You’re a matchmaker, not a mover.
- Any broker promising “we’ll take care of your move personally” is one audit away from Netflix documentary territory.
- Keep carrier records, confirm safety ratings, and verify insurance – every time. Shady carriers = lawsuits + migraines.
Scary (but real) FMCSA Reminder
FMCSA is cracking down on illegal HHG carriers and rogue brokers using sting operations. If your business looks like a side hustle instead of a licensed carrier, congratulations – you’re already on their list.
Final Words of Wisdom
- This isn’t hard – it’s just government-annoying.
- Do the steps. Keep the records. Avoid fines.
- And for the love of all things bubble-wrapped: never let your cousin Carl submit your FMCSA forms. He still thinks USDOT stands for “United States Delivery of Trucks.”