Last Updated September 23, 2025
In March 2024, FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) first announced their plan to phase out MC numbers and shift to a USDOT-only system. The decision is just one part of FMCSA’s recent efforts to centralize and further modernize their current registration system.
The decision came with many questions, given how commonly used and referenced MC numbers are in the world of freight. Here’s what motor carriers and other industry members need to know and should expect.
Key Takeaways
- FMCSA is phasing out MC numbers and moving to a USDOT-only system to reduce confusion and fraud.
- The timeline is not confirmed; while Oct. 1, 2025 is rumored, FMCSA has not set an official date.
- DOT numbers will include suffixes to indicate authority type, and verification will be done via the SAFER system instead of MC numbers.
- Carriers should prepare now by keeping DOT numbers active (via updated MCS-150 forms), updating documents to list DOT numbers, and notifying partners of the change.
Why Is FMCSA Phasing Out MC Numbers?
For decades, trucking companies have had two unique identifiers: MC numbers and DOT numbers.
MC numbers are issued by FMCSA to grant operating authority to carriers. USDOT numbers are mainly used as a safety and compliance-related identifier, referenced during compliance reviews, truck inspections, and company audits. They’re also required for carriers transporting hazardous materials or vehicles over 10,000 lbs.
The removal of MC numbers is intended to reduce confusion between the two identifiers, increasing overall efficiency, and reducing the likelihood of fraud.
While DOT and MC numbers serve slightly different purposes, they are still often used interchangeably. This can lead to a general sense of confusion and extra paperwork. Both are often visible on paperwork such as trucking contracts, load boards, and insurance filings.
Having two unique identifiers is also thought to increase the likelihood of fraud. For instance, a fraudster might make up an MC number to claim false representation of a company, while the actual business owner is tied to the DOT number. Brokers or shippers might not notice if they only verify the carrier using the DOT number.
Who Will Be Impacted the Most?
All for-hire carriers, freight brokers, and freight forwarders will be affected by the elimination of MC numbers. Private carriers, who do not need an MC number under current regulations, will be impacted less.
When Will Impacts Be Felt?
FMCSA has not published any official release in 2025 regarding an exact date of when MC numbers will be phased out completely.
Some sources have claimed that MC numbers will be eliminated on Oct. 1, 2025. Others have noted this date as when new carriers will no longer need to purchase MC numbers—not necessarily when they will no longer be used.
We reached out to FMCSA directly. They were unable to confirm October 1 as the date for when MC numbers will be completely phased out. However, a representative did confirm that it will be happening with a date to-be-determined, and that once the date is decided, there will both be an official announcement posted online along with letters sent to all those affected.
Phasing Out MC Numbers Just One Component of Larger FMCSA Changes
The decision to phase out MC numbers is only one part of FMCSA’s large-scale revamp of their registration system. The new registration system was first announced in 2024, with an aim to:
- Improve User Experience: Carrier information can be viewed and updated via mobile devices and tablets. This means truckers can much more easily make adjustments on the go, rather than awaiting paper-form processing to confirm changes.
- Enhance Verification: New and improved identity verification software, similar to what the TSA uses for facial recognition, will further protect carriers and their businesses from dangerous forms of freight fraud.
- Streamline Registration: Operating authority registrants will receive an additional suffix at the end of their DOT number as an authority identifier to replace MC numbers.
Freight fraud, which includes doubling brokering and identity theft, has become an increasing concern in the industry. FMCSA hopes to mitigate fraud by centralizing all carrier information in the form of a single DOT number, rather than both a DOT and MC number.
The process might seem like a large undertaking. But according to FMCSA officials, the previous registration system is too outdated to continue implementation.
“Obviously, we’ve had our registration system in current form for many years,” said Tom Keane, associate administrator of the Office of Research & Registration at FMCSA. “It was robust when it was originally designed, but it’s become very dated over the years and we need to modernize.”
How to Verify Operating Authority Type Without MC Numbers
altLINE Freight Factoring Operations Manager Jennifer Fink noted that there will be initial challenges pertaining to verifying operating authority, as MC numbers are regularly used to verify trucking authority.
“Many will be left wondering how to determine operating type,” Fink said. “For example, carriers with solely a DOT number can only operate in-state. Having an MC signals that they can go all over the U.S. Without an MC, there’s no obvious distinction to determine authority.”
FMCSA plans to address this by adding a suffix to DOT numbers to indicate operating type. Because of this, FMCSA SAFER (a DOT number lookup system), will become a vital resource.
After inputting the motor carrier’s DOT number in the SAFER system, the results will reveal authority type. Brokers, shippers, and insurance carriers will be able to utilize this system to verify that carriers can haul across state lines, hazardous material, and other types of shipment that are currently verifiable via MC numbers.
How Carriers Should Prepare
To prepare for the complete elimination of MC numbers, motor carriers should abide by the following steps to ensure complete compliance:
Verify Your DOT Number Is Active and MCS-150 Form Has Been Completed
FMCSA requires carriers to update their MCS-150 form every 24 months to keep their DOT number active.
You can find out when your MCS-150 form needs to be updated by looking at your DOT number—the second-to-last digit of your USDOT number signals your filing month, while the last digit reveals if you need to file in an even or odd year.
Given the elimination of MC numbers, it’s more important than ever to ensure your DOT number is active.
Update Documentation Accordingly
All documents should have your DOT number listed as your unique identifier, rather than your MC number. This includes your:
- BOC-3 filings
- Insurance
- Load board information
- Broker agreements
- Other business contract agreements
- Safety and compliance-related documents
- Public directories and email signatures
Notify Partners of Changes
While shippers, brokers, and insurers are less directly affected than carriers, it’s best practice to notify all business and insurance partners that your DOT number is now your sole identifier.
Stay Up to Date on Next Steps
Changes can happen quickly in the trucking industry. It’s important for everyone within the industry to stay in the loop about potential changes to the MC number removal and updates moving forward.
To do so, keep tabs on the FMCSA Press Releases, where they will post any and all updates.
Michael McCareins is the Content Marketing Associate at altLINE, where he is dedicated to creating and managing optimal content for readers. Following a brief career in media relations, Michael has discovered a passion for content marketing through developing unique, informative content to help audiences better understand ideas and topics such as invoice factoring and A/R financing.
