What is mc number in trucking?

Compliance

MC number

Also called Motor carrier number, Operating authority number

An MC number is the motor carrier authority number granted by the FMCSA that permits a company to transport regulated freight for hire across state lines.

Last reviewed 31 July 2026 · by the fleetchart dispatch desk

Obtaining authority requires the application, proof of insurance filed on the carrier's behalf, and a designated process agent in each state where the carrier operates.

Brokers verify authority and insurance before tendering a load, so lapses stop freight immediately.

Related terms

USDOT number
A USDOT number is the unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to companies operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce.
Operating authority
Operating authority is federal permission to operate as a for-hire motor carrier, defining the type of freight a company may haul and the geography it may serve.
Carrier packet
A carrier packet is the set of documents a broker requires before tendering freight, typically including authority, insurance certificates, a W-9 and a signed broker–carrier agreement.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage a carrier causes to others, and federal minimum coverage must be filed with the FMCSA to keep authority active.

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MC number

Related terms

USDOT number

Operating authority

Carrier packet

Liability insurance

See this on your own loads.

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