The quick map
- MCS-150 — gets you a USDOT number. You file it. Update every two years.
- OP-1 — the operating authority application (your MC number). You file it.
- BOC-3 — designates process agents in every state. A process agent service files it. One time.
- BMC-91 or BMC-91X — proof of liability insurance. Your insurer files it.
- UCR — annual registration fee based on fleet size. You file it, every year.
The distinction that matters: only the BMC-91 is an insurance filing. Everything else is compliance paperwork — your agent doesn't file it, and assuming otherwise is how authorities sit inactive for weeks.
MCS-150 — your USDOT number
The Motor Carrier Identification Report gets you a USDOT number and records what kind of operation you run. It must be updated every two years, based on a schedule tied to your USDOT number, even if nothing about your operation changed. Letting it lapse can deactivate your number.
BOC-3 — process agents
A BOC-3 designates an agent in each state authorized to receive legal documents on your behalf. FMCSA won't grant operating authority without it. It's filed by a process agent service, typically as a one-time filing that stays in place as long as you maintain the service.
It is not insurance, though it's frequently confused for it because both are required before authority activates.
BMC-91 — the insurance filing
This is the one your insurance agent handles. Your insurer electronically files proof that you carry at least the federal minimum public liability — $750,000 for most general freight, higher for certain hazardous materials.
Two things worth knowing: your authority does not activate until this is filed, and if your policy cancels, your insurer notifies FMCSA — which can put your authority at risk. Continuous coverage isn't just good practice, it's a condition of operating.
UCR — the annual one people forget
Unified Carrier Registration is an annual fee program for interstate carriers, tiered by fleet size. It's easy to overlook because it's yearly and nobody sends you a reminder. Non-compliance can result in fines and out-of-service action at roadside.
What your insurance agent does and doesn't do
We file the BMC-91 and issue certificates of insurance. We don't file your MCS-150, BOC-3, OP-1 or UCR — but we'll tell you plainly which ones you still owe, because a new authority that's insured but not compliant still isn't moving freight. Start with the new authority guide.
Common questions
Does my insurance agent file my BOC-3?
No. A BOC-3 is filed by a process agent service, not an insurance agent. The only federal filing your insurer handles is the BMC-91 or BMC-91X, which proves you carry the required public liability coverage.
How often do I have to update my MCS-150?
Every two years, on a schedule determined by your USDOT number, even if nothing about your operation has changed. Failing to update it can result in your USDOT number being deactivated.
What happens to my authority if my insurance cancels?
Your insurer notifies FMCSA when a policy cancels. Because active proof of insurance is a condition of operating authority, a lapse can put your authority at risk. Maintaining continuous coverage matters.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us how you run and we'll shop it across our carriers — or just ask a question. No forms required.