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What Is A USDOT And A Motor Carrier (MC) Number And How Do I Get My Authority As A Canadian Highway Carrier (DIY Customs Consulting)

Last updated 5 August 2026

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This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

In most cases, if a commercial vehicle weighs over 4,536 kg (10,001 lb) and is used in interstate or international commerce, the carrier will require a USDOT number to conduct business within the United States. FMCSA states that companies operating commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with FMCSA and must have a USDOT number.[1]

A USDOT number is similar in purpose to a CVOR or provincial authority registration in Canada because it identifies the carrier and is used to track safety records, registration status, compliance reviews, inspections, crash history, and more. FMCSA explains that a USDOT number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company's safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections.[1]

Canadian highway carriers may also need a Motor Carrier (MC) number, also called operating authority, from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if they operate for hire and haul federally regulated commodities into the United States. FMCSA states that operating authority determines the type of operation a company may run and the cargo it may carry.[2]

What Is the Difference Between a USDOT and an MC Number?

USDOT Number
A USDOT number identifies highway carriers operating in interstate or international commerce. FMCSA uses it to monitor safety records, compliance reviews, inspections, crash history, and registration status.[1]
Motor Carrier (MC) Number
An MC number identifies a carrier with operating authority to transport regulated commodities for hire in interstate or international commerce. Not every carrier with a USDOT number needs an MC number. FMCSA explains that operating authority is often identified as an MC, FF, or MX number and is required for certain for-hire carriers and other regulated operations.[2]

When Is a USDOT Number Required?

Highway carriers generally need to register for a USDOT number if the vehicle is involved in interstate commerce and meets one or more FMCSA thresholds. FMCSA defines interstate commerce to include transportation between a place in a state and a place outside that state, including a place outside the United States, or transportation within a state that is part of trade or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or United States.[1]

A USDOT number is generally required if:

  • The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 4,536 kg (10,001 lb) or more, whichever is greater.
  • The vehicle is involved in interstate commerce within the United States or international commerce from outside the United States.
  • The vehicle is used to transport types and quantities of hazardous materials requiring a safety permit in intrastate commerce.
  • The vehicle is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers, including the driver, for compensation.
  • The vehicle is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, not for compensation.[1]

When Is an MC Number Required?

Highway carriers may also need an MC number if they operate for hire and transport federally regulated commodities in interstate or international commerce. FMCSA explains that companies must obtain operating authority in addition to a USDOT number when required for the type of operation and cargo carried.[2]

FMCSA commodity guidance explains the difference between exempt and non-exempt commodities.[3] In general, exempt commodities are often unprocessed agricultural or natural products, while processed, manufactured, or otherwise changed goods are more likely to be regulated commodities, but carriers should confirm their operating authority requirements directly with FMCSA before hauling freight into the United States.

Canadian Carriers

Canadian carriers operating commercial vehicles into the United States may need both a USDOT number and operating authority depending on the type of operation. FMCSA publishes Canadian Federal Requirements guidance for Canadian motor carriers operating in the United States.[4]

Canadian carriers should also confirm whether their operation requires U.S. insurance filings, process agent filings, Unified Carrier Registration, ELD compliance, drug and alcohol testing, or other FMCSA requirements. FMCSA's registration and operating-authority requirements are separate from customs requirements such as SCAC, ACE eManifest, and PAPS.

How to Register

New applicants, including Canadian cross-border carriers that do not already have a USDOT or MC number, should apply through FMCSA's registration process.[5] FMCSA states that companies may need a USDOT number, operating authority, or both depending on their operation.[5]

Useful links:

After FMCSA Registration

Once the carrier has the required FMCSA registration, it can continue with the customs setup needed for U.S.-bound commercial freight. This normally includes applying for a SCAC, registering for ACE eManifest filing, ordering PAPS barcode labels, and setting up customs broker workflows.

BorderConnect ACE eManifest software can be used after the carrier has a valid SCAC to create and transmit ACE eManifests to CBP. BorderPrint can be used to order PAPS barcode labels and other border-crossing documents.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming a USDOT number and an MC number are the same thing.
  • Operating for hire with regulated commodities without confirming whether MC authority is required.
  • Applying for a SCAC or ACE filing before confirming FMCSA registration requirements.
  • Assuming Canadian provincial operating authority is enough to operate commercially in the United States.
  • Forgetting that FMCSA operating requirements are separate from CBP customs requirements.
  • Failing to keep FMCSA registration information current.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 FMCSA - Do I Need a USDOT Number?
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 FMCSA - Get Authority to Operate (MC Number)
  3. ↑ FMCSA - Administrative Ruling 119
  4. ↑ FMCSA - Canadian Federal Requirements
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 FMCSA - Registration
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