Free DOT & MC Number Lookup
Enter a USDOT or MC number to see the carrier's real FMCSA operating-authority status - active, pending, revoked, or never applied - read from the same common/contract/broker authority fields that SAFER displays, not the misleading allowedToOperate flag. Live federal data, free, no signup, and the result tells you exactly which filing comes next.
What each status means
| Status | What FMCSA's data says | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Authority Active | At least one authority type (common, contract, broker) is Active with FMCSA. | Stay compliant: annual UCR, MCS-150 every 2 years, continuous BMC-91 insurance. |
| Application Pending | An MC/FF docket exists but no authority type is Active yet. | File the BOC-3 ($75 here, same-day) and confirm your insurer filed the BMC-91 - the two grant blockers. |
| Authority Revoked | Authority was granted and is now Inactive (revocation, suspension, out-of-service). | Cure the cause, then file FMCSA reinstatement ($80 federal fee under 49 CFR 387.313). |
| No For-Hire Authority | This USDOT has never been granted interstate for-hire authority. | If you plan to haul for-hire interstate: OP-1 application + BOC-3 + BMC-91. |
| USDOT Inactive | The DOT registration itself is Inactive - overrides every other status. | Usually an overdue MCS-150 biennial update or a required reinstatement filing. |
Dispatch services, factoring companies, insurance agents, CDL schools: paste this snippet to give your visitors a live FMCSA authority checker. No signup, no key.
<iframe src="https://www.fastboc3filing.com/check-authority/embed" width="100%" height="420" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:12px" title="Free DOT Authority Status Checker" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:12px;margin:4px 0 0">Tool by <a href="https://www.fastboc3filing.com/check-authority">FastBOC3Filing.com</a></p>Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my operating authority is active?
Enter your USDOT number above. The checker reads the three FMCSA authority-status fields (common, contract, and broker authority) - the same fields SAFER uses. If any of them is Active, you are authorized for interstate for-hire operation. It does not rely on the misleading allowedToOperate flag, which can read "Y" while authority is still pending.
Can I look up a carrier by MC number instead of DOT number?
Yes. Switch the toggle to "MC number" and enter the docket digits (for MC-1515, enter 1515). The checker resolves the MC docket to its carrier through FMCSA's docket-number endpoint and returns the same authority breakdown, including every MC/FF docket that carrier holds. Brokers and shippers vetting a carrier usually only have the MC number - this lookup covers that case.
Why does my authority show as pending?
Pending means an MC or FF docket number exists but FMCSA has not granted authority yet. The two prerequisites that block most grants are the BOC-3 process-agent designation (49 CFR Part 366) and proof of liability insurance (BMC-91 under 49 CFR Part 387). Once both are on file, FMCSA typically completes the grant after its vetting window.
What does "no for-hire authority" mean?
The USDOT number has never been granted interstate for-hire authority. That is normal for private fleets and intrastate-only carriers. To haul for-hire interstate freight you must file an OP-1 application ($300 FMCSA fee), designate a BOC-3 process agent, and have your insurer file a BMC-91.
Is this checker really free?
Yes. It queries live FMCSA QCMobile data (cached up to 24 hours), with a fair-use rate limit of about 10 lookups per minute. You can also embed the checker on your own site free of charge - the embed code is on this page.
Authority pending? The BOC-3 is almost always the blocker.
FMCSA cannot grant authority without a BOC-3 process-agent designation on file. We file it same-day for a one-time $75 - lifetime coverage, all 50 states + DC, 100% acceptance guarantee.
File your BOC-3 nowData source: FMCSA QCMobile API, cached up to 24 hours. Status derivation documented against 49 CFR Parts 365, 366, and 387. Informational only - verify on SAFER before operating. Updated 2026-06-11.