MC Number

A number issued by FMCSA granting a carrier operating authority to transport regulated cargo or passengers for hire in interstate commerce.

MC numbers (Motor Carrier numbers) are part of FMCSA operating authority and are separate from USDOT numbers. For-hire passenger carriers and many freight-for-hire carriers need an MC number. Carriers that lease owner-operators must hold operating authority. Owner-operators leased to a carrier operate under that carrier's authority, not their own.

Related: dot number , operating authority , fmcsa , owner operator

Last updated: May 28, 2026