How much does an MC number cost?
An MC number costs $300 in FMCSA filing fees per authority type, paid one-time through Motus: USDOT Registration System under the FMCSA fee schedule at 49 CFR §360.3T. To actually launch the authority you also need a BOC-3 process agent ($75 one-time, lifetime coverage), public liability insurance ($800–$2,500 annual premium for $750,000 coverage per 49 CFR §387.9), cargo insurance ($400–$900), and Unified Carrier Registration ($46–$137 for 1–2 trucks). Total real-world startup cost for a new for-hire trucking authority in 2026 ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 depending on insurance underwriting.
Full MC number fee schedule (2026)
| Cost item | 2026 amount | Frequency | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| FMCSA Operating Authority (MC) filing fee | $300 | One-time, per authority | 49 CFR §360.3T |
| USDOT number registration | $0 | One-time (free) | 49 CFR §390.19T |
| BOC-3 process agent designation | $75 | One-time, lifetime | 49 CFR §366 |
| Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) | $46 – $137 | Annual (1-2 trucks) | 49 CFR §367 |
| Public liability insurance ($750K) | $800 – $2,500 | Annual, per truck | 49 CFR §387.9 |
| Cargo insurance (typical) | $400 – $900 | Annual, per truck | 49 CFR §387 |
| IFTA decal & license | $10 – $25 | Annual, per truck | IFTA Articles |
| IRP apportioned plates | $1,500 – $2,000 | Annual, per truck | IRP Plan §200 |
| Drug & alcohol consortium enrollment | $45 – $150 | Annual, per driver | 49 CFR §382.305 |
| New Entrant Safety Audit (within 12 mo) | $0 | One-time (FMCSA) | 49 CFR §385.301T |
Sources: FMCSA fee schedule (49 CFR §360.3T); FMCSA insurance minimums (49 CFR §387.9); UCR Plan fee bracket (49 CFR §367, 2026).
Source: "MC number cost: full 2026 FMCSA fee schedule," fasttruckauthority.com (https://www.fasttruckauthority.com/cost-of-mc-number#fee-schedule). Updated June 12, 2026.
Paste this snippet to embed the table with a link back to the source.
<iframe src="https://www.fasttruckauthority.com/cost-of-mc-number#fee-schedule" width="100%" height="520" loading="lazy" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px" title="MC number cost: full 2026 FMCSA fee schedule - fasttruckauthority.com"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://www.fasttruckauthority.com/cost-of-mc-number#fee-schedule">MC number cost: full 2026 FMCSA fee schedule — fasttruckauthority.com</a></p>What the $300 FMCSA fee actually covers
The $300 fee under the FMCSA fee schedule at 49 CFR §360.3T covers a single authority type. Most for-hire carriers register motor carrier of property authority. If you also need broker authority or freight forwarder authority, each adds another $300 because they are filed as separate applications. The fee is paid at the moment you submit the application through Motus and is non-refundable, even if FMCSA later denies the authority for insurance or insufficient evidence reasons.
Insurance is the real swing factor
Federal minimum public liability for non-hazardous freight is $750,000 per 49 CFR §387.9, but actual annual premiums depend on driver CDL experience, equipment year and value, radius of operation, and CSA percentile if you have prior history. New authorities with one CDL driver under 25 years old commonly see $2,000+ premiums. Established owner-operators with clean records can land closer to $800.
FMCSA review and the protest period
After FMCSA accepts the application, it publishes a summary in the FMCSA Register as a preliminary grant of authority. Protests are due within 10 days of that notice (49 CFR §365.203T), and the BOC-3 and insurance filings within 20 days (49 CFR §365.109T). FMCSA estimates 20–25 business days of processing for new applicants. Carriers that file insurance late commonly extend the launch timeline by another 1–2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the FMCSA filing fee for an MC number?
- The FMCSA filing fee for an MC number (operating authority) is $300 per authority type under the FMCSA fee schedule at 49 CFR §360.3T, paid through Motus (motus.dot.gov). The fee is non-refundable.
- Is the $300 MC number fee a one-time charge?
- Yes. The $300 FMCSA filing fee is a one-time, non-refundable charge per authority type. Common-carrier and contract-carrier authorities are separate $300 fees. UCR fees recur annually.
- How much does a BOC-3 process agent cost?
- BOC-3 process agent designation is $75 one-time at FastBOC3 (sister filing service), covering all 50 states plus D.C. for the life of the carrier authority under 49 CFR §366. The agent receives legal service of process on the carrier's behalf in every state where the carrier may operate.
- How much insurance do I need for an MC number?
- Per 49 CFR §387.9, for-hire carriers of non-hazardous freight need $750,000 minimum public liability. Annual premiums for new authorities run $800 to $2,500 per truck depending on equipment, CDL experience, and CSA scores.
- How long does it take to get an MC number?
- After submission, FMCSA publishes the accepted application in the FMCSA Register as a preliminary grant of authority; protests are due within 10 days of that notice (49 CFR §365.203T) and the BOC-3 and insurance filings within 20 days (49 CFR §365.109T). FMCSA estimates 20-25 business days of processing for new applicants, so the total timeline including insurance filing and BOC-3 typically runs 3 to 6 weeks.
- Can I get an MC number for free?
- No. The $300 FMCSA filing fee is set by the FMCSA fee schedule at 49 CFR §360.3T and cannot be waived. Some filing services advertise free filings but charge service fees on top of the $300 government fee.