What do I need to do to reinstate my motor carrier operating authority (make my MC number active)?

You need to request reinstatement of the motor carrier operating authority (to become active). The cost is $80. The exception for this is if you are a passenger carrier that has been put out-of-service (OOS) for being an "imminent hazard" or due to a final unsatisfactory safety rating ("UNSAT/UNFIT"). In the aforementioned exception cases, you may not request a reinstatement; you must re-apply for operating authority using a paper OP-1 application and paying the $300 application fee again.

Please note that before you request reinstatement, you must have your BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) form and insurance in place before the reinstatement can be processed. If they are not in place, your reinstatement request will be placed on hold until the BOC-3 and insurance requirements are met.  Please see our Insurance Requirements website for more information.

There are several ways to request a reinstatement:

• Online: If you have a docket PIN you can request reinstatement online
• Using the MCSA-5889 Motor Carrier Records Change Form, which you can submit:
• Via our web form (upload the signed and completed form)
• By Fax: 202-385-2422
• By Mail: You may submit the form in print (this may take about 2-3 weeks to be processed)

We recommend that you use the new form MCSA-5889 to submit your request if you are not submitting online. All reinstatement requests must include:

• MC number
• Legal name of the carrier
• Person's name or company name on credit card or check/money order
• Billing address of the credit card (if paying by credit card)
• A phone number where you can be reached
• Signature and date
• E-mail address if available

Please note that if you wish to request a name change as well as a reinstatement, please request the name change at the same time, using form MCSA-5889, to avoid additional time and expense (this form can be used for both processes). In addition, you must have your BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) form and insurance in place before the reinstatement can be processed. If they are not in place, your request will be placed on hold until furnished or rejected.

Payment options (no reinstatements can be made until payment has been received and BOC-3 form and insurance are in place):

• If you request reinstatement online, you must pay the $80 fee via credit card as part of that process
• If you request reinstatement by e-mail, fax or mail you have the following options for paying the $80 fee: 
• • Credit card payments must include the following information included on the reinstatement form: 
  • • Name of card-holder
    • Card number
    • Address of card-holder
    • Phone number/e-mail address (if any) of card-holder
    • Expiration date
  • Check or money order payable to FMCSA sent separately from your e-mail/fax: 
  • • The mailing address for a check or money order is:
      Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
      P. O. BOX 530226
      Atlanta, GA 30353-0226
    • The address for overnight express mail payments is:
      Bank of America
      Lockbox Number 530226
      1075 Loop Road
      Atlanta, GA 30337