MC Number Lookup

What is an MC number?

An MC (Motor Carrier) number is issued by FMCSA when a company is granted for-hire operating authority — permission to transport regulated commodities or passengers belonging to others, for compensation, in interstate commerce. It's a different thing from a USDOT number: every carrier that needs a USDOT number gets one on registration, but only carriers operating for-hire under FMCSA-regulated authority get an MC number on top of that. A private carrier hauling only its own freight typically has a USDOT number but no MC number.

MC number vs. USDOT number

Think of the USDOT number as the carrier's permanent identity in FMCSA's system, and the MC number as the specific for-hire operating authority attached to it. A single USDOT number can have more than one docket — for example, separate authorities for household goods and general freight — each with its own number and status. See our MC to DOT converter for the full relationship, and why it matters right now.

Why MC numbers are being phased toward USDOT-only

FMCSA has been moving its systems toward using the USDOT number as the single primary identifier across all carrier types, including those that previously operated only under an MC number. Older MC-numbered authorities remain valid and searchable, but if you're building a long-term reference to a carrier — a contract, an insurance certificate, a broker's approved-carrier list — the USDOT number is the more durable identifier to key on. Our lookup accepts either and always resolves to the same profile.

Checking authority status

An MC number lookup alone doesn't tell you whether that authority is currently active, pending, revoked, or suspended — that status can change. Every carrier profile on CarrierPedia shows the current operating authority status alongside insurance-on-file information, both sourced from FMCSA's Motus (Licensing & Insurance) system. For a dedicated check, see Carrier Authority Check.