OP-1(FF) Application for Freight Forwarder Authority

OMB No: 2126-0016 Expiration Date:
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2126-0016. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, MC-MMI, Washington, D.C. 20590.

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration

APPLICATION FOR FREIGHT FORWARDER AUTHORITY
FORM OP-1 (FF)
__________________________________________________
FOR FMCSA USE ONLY

This application is for all individuals and businesses requesting authority to
operate as freight forwarders in interstate or foreign commerce. Freight
forwarders are involved in the arrangement, assembly, and/or consolidation for
transportation where the actual movement is performed by FMCSA-licensed
carriers. Forwarders arrange with the carriers for the actual line-haul
transportation; they do not do it themselves. (Freight forwarders may provide
local pickup and delivery services directly or by using a carrier under their
control.) Freight forwarders issue bills of lading to shippers and are responsible
for loss of or damage to the goods.

SECTION I
Applicant
Information

Docket No. FF-____________________________________
Filed ____________________________________________
Fee No.__________________________________________
CC Approval No.__________________________________

Do you now have authority from or an application being processed by the former ICC, FHWA, OMCS, or
FMCSA?
YES If yes, identify the lead docket number(s):
NO
LEGAL BUSINESS NAME
DOING BUSINESS AS NAME
BUSINESS ADDRESS
________________________________________________________________(______)___________
City
Street Name and Number
State
Zip Code
Telephone Number
MAILING ADDRESS (If different from above)

Street Name and Number
City
REPRESENTATIVE (Person who can respond to inquiries)

State

Zip Code

State

Zip Code

Name and title, position, or relationship to applicant

Street Name and Number

City

Telephone Number (______)_______________________FAX Number (______)_________________
USDOT Number (If available; if not, see Instructions.)___________________________________
FORM OF BUSINESS (Check only one.):
Corporation
State of Incorporation ________________________________________
Sole Proprietorship
Name of Individual
________________________________________
Partnership
Identify Partners
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

APPLICATION FOR FREIGHT FORWARDER AUTHORITY - OP- 1 (FF) (cont'd)
SECTION II
Type of Authority

SECTION III
Insurance
Information

HOUSEHOLD GOODS FREIGHT FORWARDER
FREIGHT FORWARDER OF PROPERTY (EXCEPT HOUSEHOLD GOODS)

Freight forwarders that perform transfer, collection, and delivery service must have on file evidence of
appropriate levels of bodily injury and property damage (BI&PD) insurance and environmental restoration
coverage. The dollar amounts in parentheses represent the minimum amount of bodily injury and property
damage (liability) insurance coverage you must maintain and have on file with the FMCSA.
NOTE: All freight forwarder applicants should refer to the instructions for information on cargo insurance
filing requirements.
Will operate vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or
more to transport:
Non-hazardous commodities ($750,000)

Hazardous materials referenced in the FMCSA’s insurance regulations at 49 CFR

1043.2(b)(2)(c) ($1,000,000).

Hazardous materials referenced in the FMCSA’s insurance regulations at 49 CFR

1043.2(b)(2)(b) ($5,000,000).

Will operate only vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) under 10,000 pounds to
transport:
Any quantity of Class A or B explosives, any quantity of poison gas (Poison A), or highway

route controlled quantity of radioactive materials ($5,000,000).

Commodities other than those listed above ($300,000).

Applicant seeks a waiver of liability (BI&PD) insurance requirements and certifies that in its
forwarding operations it:
(1) will not own or operate any motor vehicles upon the highways in the transportation of
property;
(2) Will not perform transfer, collection, or delivery services; and
(3) Will not have motor vehicles operated under its direction and control in the performance of
transfer collection, or delivery services.

SECTION IV
Certification
Household Goods

ALL HOUSEHOLD GOODS FREIGHT FORWARDER APPLICANTS must certify as follows:
Applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide household goods freight-forwarding operations and to comply
with all pertinent statutory and regulatory requirements. This assessment of fitness includes applicant’s
general familiarity with former ICC, FHWA, OMCS, now FMCSA regulations for household goods
movements. The proposed operations will be consistent with the public interest and the transportation policy
of 49 U.S.C. 10101 and applicant will offer arbitration as a means of settling loss and damage disputes on
collect-on-delivery shipments.
YES
NOTE: Applicant may attach a supporting statement to this application to provide additional
information about the above certification. This evidence is optional.

APPLICATION FOR FREIGHT FORWARDER AUTHORITY - OP- 1 (FF) (cont'd)
SECTION V

APPLICANTS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS - If you
will operate vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds GVWR and are, thus, subject to pertinent portions of the
U.S. DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at 49 CFR, Chapter 3, Subchapter B (Parts 350-399),
you must certify as follows:

Safety
Certification
(Vehicle Operating Applicant has access to and is familiar with all applicable U.S. DOT regulations relating to the safe
Freight Forwarder operation of commercial vehicles and the safe transportation of hazardous materials and it will comply with
these regulations. In so certifying, applicant is verifying that, at a minimum, it:
Applicants Only)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

(7)

Has in place a system and an individual responsible for ensuring overall compliance with Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;
Can produce a copy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Regulations;
Has in place a driver safety training/orientation program;
Has prepared and maintains an accident register (49 CFR 390.15);
Is familiar with DOT regulations governing driver qualifications and has in place a system for
overseeing driver qualification requirements (49 CFR Part 391);
Has in place policies and procedures consistent with DOT regulations governing driving and
operational safety of motor vehicles, including drivers’ hours of service and vehicle inspection,
repair, and maintenance (49 CFR Parts 392, 395 and 396);
Is familiar with and will have in place on the appropriate effective date, a system for complying
with U.S. DOT regulations governing alcohol and controlled substances testing requirements (49
CFR 382 and 49 CFR Part 40).
YES

EXEMPT APPLICANTS - If you will operate only small vehicles (GVWR under 10,000 pounds), and
will not transport hazardous materials, you are, exempt from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and
must certify as follows:
Applicant is familiar with and will observe general operational safety guidelines, as well as any applicable
State and local laws and requirements relating to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and the
safe transportation of hazardous materials.
YES

SECTION VI

Applicant is engaged principally in the business of manufacturing, buying, or selling articles and
commodities, or is in control of, controlled by, or under common control with any such entity.
YES

Control
Relationships

NO

If yes, describe the relationship and indicate to what extent the involved entity engaged in manufacturing,
buying, or selling commodities uses the services of freight forwarders. If applicant itself is engaged in
manufacturing, buying, or selling as described above, indicate to what extent it performs its own
forwarding operations in conjunction with the assembly, consolidation, and shipment of the commodities it
manufactures, buys, or sells.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION FOR FREIGHT FORWARDER AUTHORITY - OP- 1 (FF) (cont'd)
SECTION VIII
Applicant's
Oath

This oath applies to all supplemental filings to this application. The signature must be that of applicant,
not legal representative.

I, __________________________________________________________, verify under penalty of
Name and title
perjury, under the laws of the United States of America, that all information supplied on this form or relating
to this application is true and correct. Further, I certify that I am qualified and authorized to file this
application. I know that willful misstatements or omissions of material facts constitute Federal criminal
violations punishable under 18 U.S.C. 1001 by imprisonment up to 5 years and fines up to $10,000 for each
offense. Additionally, these misstatements are punishable as perjury under 18 U.S.C. 1621, which provides
for fines up to $2,000 or imprisonment up to 5 years for each offense.
I further certify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the United States, that I have not been
convicted, after September 1, 1989, of any Federal or State offense involving the distribution or possession of
a controlled substance, or that if I have been so convicted, I am not ineligible to receive Federal benefits,
either by court order or operation of law, pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (21
U.S.C. 862).

Signature ______________________________________________________ Date ___________________

APPLICATION FOR FREIGHT FORWARDER AUTHORITY - OP- 1 (FF) (cont'd)
Fee Policy
Filing fees must be payable to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, by check
drawn upon funds deposited in a bank in the United States or money order payable in U.S.
currency or by approved credit card.
Separate fees are required for each type of authority requested. If applicant requests multiple
types of permanent authority on one application form (for example, common and contract carrier
authority) or if applicant submits more than one form in the OP-1 Series in a single filing, multiple
fees are required. The applicant may submit a single payment for the sum of the applicable fees.
Filing fees must be sent, along with the original and one copy of the application, to Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration, P. O. Box 70935, Charlotte, NC 28272-0935. For express mail
only: QLP Wholesale Lockbox-NC0810, Lockbox #70935, 1515 West WT Harris Blvd.,
Charlotte, NC 28262. For credit card only: FMCSA, IT Operations Division, 400 Seventh St.,
SW, Room 8218, Washington, D.C., 20590.
After an application is received, the filing fee is not refundable.
The FMCSA reserves the right to discontinue processing any application for which a check is
returned because of insufficient funds. The application will not be processed until the fee is paid
in full.

Filing Fee
Information

All applicants must submit a filing fee for each type of authority requested. The enclosed fee schedule will
show the appropriate filing fee. The total amount due is equal to the fee times the number of boxes checked

in Section II. Fees for multiple authorities may be combined in a single payment.

0
Total number of boxes checked in Section II: _______ x filing fee $__________ = $___________

INDICATE AMOUNT $__________________________ AND METHOD OF PAYMENT

CHECK or

MONEY ORDER, payable to: FMCSA

VISA

MASTERCARD

Credit Card Number ___________________________________ Expiration Date ________________
Signature _____________________________________________Date _________________________

Instructions for Completing the
Freight Forwarder Authority Application
OP-1(FF)
Included within this instruction packet is information to help you answer the following questions:
What forms do I need to complete?
What are the steps I need to take to get Operating Authority?
What is the cost for obtaining Operating Authority?
How do I complete the OP-1(FF) Application for Freight Forwarder Authority

What Forms Do I Need to Complete?
The following chart will help you to determine which FMCSA Registration and Operating Authority forms you are
required to fill out. Boxes marked with an “X” in your corresponding Classification indicate forms that you must
complete.

USDOT Number
Classification
Interstate
Motor Carrier (excludes Hazardous Material
Carriers)
Authorized For-Hire
Exempt For-Hire
Private Property
Private Passenger (business and non-business)
Passenger For-Hire
Broker
Freight Forwarder
Hazardous Material Carrier
Hazardous Material Shipper
Shipper (Non-Hazardous Material)
Cargo Tank Facility
Registrant (you obtain the plates, but you never
drive for yourself)

MCS-150

x
x
x
x
x

MCS-150A MCS-150B

x
x
x
x
x

Operating Authority
OP-1

OP-1(P)

OP-1(FF)

x

x
x
x

See Note 1

x

See Note 1

x

See Note 2
See Note 3

x
x

Intrastate
Non-Hazardous Material Carrier
Hazardous Material Carrier
Hazardous Material Shipper
Shipper (Non-Hazardous Materials)

See Note 2
See Note 2

See Note 2

See Note 2

See Note 2

See Note 3

Note 1: If you are an Interstate Hazardous Material Carrier, you will be required to fill out EITHER the MCS-150
or the MCS-150B, but not both. If you transport any of the following Hazardous Material in Interstate commerce,
you will be required to fill out the MCS-150B instead of the MCS-150:
Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of Radioactive materials;
More than 25 kg (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 material or a quantity of Division 1.5 material
that requires placarding;
For materials that meet the definition of “material poisonous by inhalation” (TIH) as defined in 49 CFR
171.8: More than 1 liter (1.08 quarts) per package of a material meeting the definition of a Hazard Zone A
TIH material, a material meeting the definition of a Hazard Zone B TIH material in a bulk package

(capacity greater than 450 liters [119 gallons]), or a material meeting the definition of a Hazard Zone C or
D TIH material in a bulk packaging that has a capacity greater than 13,248 L (3,500 gallons);
Shipments of compressed or refrigerated liquid methane or liquefied natural gas with a methane content of at
least 85% in a bulk packaging that has a capacity greater than 13,248 liter (3,500 gallons).
Note 2: If you are a Hazardous Material Shipper, or an Intrastate Hazardous Material Carrier, you are not
required to fill out this form unless you perform some other Interstate operation that requires you to complete the
MCS-150 or MCS-150B.
Note 3: If you are a Shipper of Non-Hazardous Material only, you do not need to fill out this form. If you are both
a Shipper of Non-Hazardous Material and a Motor Carrier, you must fill out this form because you are a Motor
Carrier.

What Are the Steps I Need to Take to Get Operating Authority?
Operating Authority is granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA). This Authority is needed by Motor Carriers who transport goods regulated by FMCSA
and Motor Carriers who transport passengers or household goods.

How to Obtain Operating Authority
There are six steps involved with obtaining Operating Authority. You initiate the process in Step 1 by submitting
the necessary OP-1 form. The remaining steps will be handled by your Insurance Company and Process Agent
and will take between four and six weeks to complete. You may not begin operating until you have received the
Certificate, Permit, or License for Operating Authority in Step 6.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3
10-Day
Protest period

Carrier
submits
OP-1,
OP-1(P), or
OP-1(FF)

Carrier
receives
grant letter

Step 4
Carrier’s Insurance
Company files forms

Step 6
Carrier receives
certificate, permit, or
license for Operating
Authority

Step 5
Carrier’s Process Agent(s)
registers

Step 1
Carriers and Brokers begin the Operating Authority process by filling out one of the following forms:
OP-1—Operating Authority for Common Property, Contract Property, Common Household Goods, Contract
Household Goods, Broker, Enterprise transporting international cargo only, and Enterprise transporting
international household goods only;
OP-1(P)—Operating Authority for Passenger; or
OP-1(FF)—Operating Authority for Freight Forwarder.
The applications can be filled out either online or by using paper applications that can be downloaded, printed,
filled out, and mailed to FMCSA. Both can be found at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/print/r-l-forms.htm.
If you file online, you can reduce your processing time by up to three weeks allowing you to begin
operations sooner. However, if you submit the paper form with an error or incomplete information, your
application will be delayed until all the errors can be corrected, resulting in additional time required to process
your application.

Step 2
Upon receipt and acceptance of your application by FMCSA, which will take approximately three weeks from the
date the application is mailed, all Motor Carrier and Broker applicants will receive a grant letter. This letter will
include the MC or FF Number assigned to your operation and additional information about the steps your
Insurance Company and Process Agents must take to complete your Operating Authority Registration (see Step 3
and Step 4 for additional information.) If you apply online, you will receive the MC or FF Number immediately and
will receive your grant letter within 15 days. Although you have received your MC or FF Number, you may not
operate until Step 6 is complete. The MC or FF Number is given to you for use by your Insurance Company and
Process Agents to make the appropriate fillings to complete the process for obtaining your Operating Authority.
Although you have received your MC or FF Number, you may not operate until Step 6 is complete.

Step 3
At the same time your grant letter is issued, your application will be placed in the FMCSA Register for 10 calendar
days. During this protest period, the public can file objections with FMCSA stating why you should not obtain
Operating Authority. FMCSA will accept protests sent by mail as long as they are postmarked by the last day of
the protest period. If there is a protest filed against your application, FMCSA will provide you with information on
the adjudication process. Your Insurance Company and Process Agent can file their documents during this period.
You can view the FMCSA Register by going to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov. From there, select “Registration and
Licensing”, then select “Licensing and Insurance System”. Click the continue button. From there, select the
“FMCSA Register” option in the drop-down menu.

Step 4
This step can begin any time after you have received your MC or FF Number and is not dependant on Step 2 or 3
being completed. Appropriate insurance forms must be filed by your Insurance Company within 90 days after your
grant letter is mailed and the date the notice of your application is published in the FMCSA Register. Your
Insurance Company must file the appropriate forms based on your company’s operation plans.
As a Freight Forwarder, you are required to have cargo insurance. In addition, if you perform transfer, collection,
or delivery service functions, you may be required to have bodily injury and property damage insurance. Per the
Freight Forwarders functions you perform, your Insurance Company will file one or more of these forms with
FMCSA on your behalf:
Form BMC-34 for cargo liability (for all Freight Forwarders);
Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X for bodily injury and property damage (if you require them);
You may request a waiver of liability insurance requirements if you:
Do not own or operate any motor vehicles used on the highways in the transportation of property;
Do not perform transfer, collection, or delivery services; and
Do not have motor vehicles operated under your direction and control in the performance of transfer,
collection, or delivery services.
Operating Authority issued to such Forwarders will indicate that bodily injury and property damage (BI&PD)
requirements have been waived. This waiver is conditional and is valid only as long as the forwarder remains
in compliance with the non-vehicle operating conditions noted on its operating permit.)
The FMCSA does not furnish copies of these insurance forms. You must contact your Insurance company to
arrange for the filing of all required insurance forms, and confirm with your insurance company that FMCSA has
received those forms. Any delay on the part of you insurance company will result in a delay in the time it takes
you to receive your Operating Authority, and may result in your application being dismissed.

Step 5
A Process Agent is a representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a
Motor Carrier, Broker, or Freight Forwarder.
All Motor Carrier applicants must designate a Process Agent in each State that they operate in or through. Broker
applicants must designate a Process Agent in each State in which their offices are located and in which they will
establish contracts. Brokers can act as their own Process Agents in the state in which they are domiciled, but will
need Process Agents in the other States they operate in as well. Additional information about Process Agents can
be found at by visiting the FMCSA Web site at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov. From there, select “Registration and
Licensing”, then “What is a Process Agent”.
Process Agents must file the BOC-3 form on your behalf. This form must be filed within 20 days after your grant
letter is mailed and the date the notice of your application is published in the FMCSA Register. Any delay by the
Process Agent in filing the Form BOC-3 will result in a delay in the receipt of your Operating Authority and may
result in your application being dismissed.

Step 6
Once the application, insurance, and Process Agent filings have been approved by FMCSA, and the protest
period has ended without any protest being filed against the applicant, the Carrier, Broker or Freight Forwarder
applicants are given final Authority in the form of a certificate, permit, or license, allowing you to begin operations.
This document will be mailed to the applicant and will serve as an official record of your Operating Authority.

What is the Cost for Obtaining Operating Authority?
Fee Schedule (Effective March 1999)
Operating Authority*…………………………………………………………………..…$300.00
Includes: Common Property, Contract Property, Common Household Goods, Contract Household Goods, Broker,
Freight Forwarder, Passenger, Enterprise Transporting International Cargo, and Enterprise Transporting
International Household Goods.
Notice of Name Change……………………………………………………………… …$ 14.00
* Separate fees must be submitted for each kind of Authority sought. For instance, requests for Common Property
Motor Carrier and Contract Property Motor Carrier Authority will require two $300 fees. Payments can be
combined. REFUNDS FOR FILING FEES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
Please refer to the last page of the application form for instructions on mailing the application to the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration of the US Department of Transportation. NOTE: RETAIN A COPY OF THE
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM AND ANY ATTACHMENTS FOR YOUR OWN RECORDS.
If you are submitting this form online, the applicant’s legal name or the representative’s name must
match the name and billing address of the credit card used to pay the filing fee.

How Do I Complete the OP-1(FF) Application for Freight Forwarder Authority?
These instructions will assist you in preparing accurate and complete application filings. Applications that do not
contain the required information will be rejected and may result in a loss of the application fee. If additional
space is needed to provide a response to any item, please use a separate sheet of paper, placing the applicant’s
name, section, and item number on each additional page.
Note: When filling out this application, please print clearly in ink or type all information.
.

SECTION I
FMCSA Authority
If you have ever been issued Operating Authority by one of the following agencies: Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Motor Carrier Safety (OMCS), or Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); or if you have an application for Authority being processed now by
FMCSA, check the "yes" box and indicate the MC Number (also called a lead docket number) you have been
assigned, for example: MC-987654.
Applicant’s Legal Business Name
This is the legal name of the business entity (i.e., Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship/Individual) that
owns/controls the Motor Carrier or Broker operation. The name entered here should be your full legal business
name — the name that appears on the incorporation certificate, partnership agreement, tax records, etc. For
example, if you are a:
Corporation — Please enter the name on your incorporation certificate. This name must include the type of
Corporation that you are: John Doe INC, John Doe LLC
Sole Proprietor/Individual — Please enter your full legal name: John A. Doe.
Partnership — Please enter the legal names of both Partners: John A. Doe and Jane B. Smith.
Note: If the name you submit here does not match what was/will be submitted on your insurance papers, there
will be a delay in the granting of your Operating Authority.
Doing Business As Name
If your Trade Name is different from your Official Business Name (the name entered in the Applicant’s Legal
Business Name field), please enter that name here. For example, if you entered John A. Doe as the Legal
Business Name, but your Trade Name or Doing Business As name is John’s Trucking Company, you would enter
John’s Trucking Company in this field. If your Trade Name is the same as what was entered in the Legal
Business Name field, please leave this field blank.
Because FMCSA uses computers to retain information about licensed carriers, it is important to spell, space, and
punctuate any name the same way each time you write it. For example: John Jones Trucking Co., Inc.; J. Jones
Trucking Co., Inc.; and John Jones Trucking are considered three separate companies.
Business Address
The Business Address is the principal place of business (physical location), for example: 756 Bounty Street;
15433 State Highway 23. This is the location that FMCSA will use for safety audits, compliance reviews, or other
activities that require FMCSA to physically visit a Motor Carrier. For this reason, a PO Box may not be entered as
your Business Address. If you file for a USDOT Number, your Business Address on this form must match your
Principal Address on the MCS-150 application.
Mailing Address
The mailing address is where you want all correspondence from FMCSA to be sent. If it is the same as the
Business Address, please leave this field blank.
To receive pertinent FMCSA notices and to ensure that insurance documents filed on the applicant's behalf are
accepted, you must inform FMCSA if your Business or Mailing Address changes. You can do this by changing

your address information online at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov or by sending information in writing to 400 7th Street,
SW, Rm. 8214, Washington, DC 20590. If you notify them in writing, please include your name and MC Number.
Representative
If someone other than the applicant is preparing this form, please provide the representative's name, title/position
or relationship to the applicant, the address, telephone, and fax numbers. That person will be the person
contacted if there are questions concerning this application.
USDOT Number
If you are a Freight Forwarder and are also a Motor Carrier you will be required to obtain a USDOT Number. If
you have already been assigned a USDOT Number, please enter it here. To apply for a USDOT number, you
can apply online at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov, or by contacting FMCSA at (800) 832-5660 to have an application
mailed to you.
Form of Business
There are three main categories of business: Corporation, Sole Proprietorship/Individual, or Partnership. If the
applicant/business is a:
Corporation — Please provide the name of the State where the Corporation is incorporated.
Sole Proprietorship — Please provide the name of the individual who is the business owner. This name
should match the name entered under Legal Business Name.
Partnership — Provide the name of each Partner. These names should match the names entered under
Legal Business Name.

SECTION II
Type of Authority
You may use this application to apply for multiple types of Operating Authority. Please indicate which type(s) of
Authority you are requesting by placing a check next to the appropriate box(es). Note: A separate $300 filing fee
is required for each type of Operating Authority requested. In addition, the types of Operating Authority you select
will impact the levels of insurance you are required to carry by FMCSA. Please select only those types
corresponding to the types of business you will be performing.
Below are descriptions of the different types of Authority you may apply for:
Freight Forwarder Property—An Individual, Partnership or Corporation that arranges for interstate
transportation of property belonging to others. In the ordinary course of business, Freight Forwarders:
Use For-Hire carriers to provide the actual transportation,
Assume responsibility for that property from origin to destination,
Usually take possession of the cargo (often at a warehouse) at some point during the transportation, and
Assemble or consolidate less-than-a-truckload full into full truckload shipments
Freight Forwarder Household Goods—An Individual, Partnership or Corporation that arranges for Interstate
transportation of household goods belonging to others. Household goods are personal effects or property
used, or to be used, in a dwelling. They include property being moved from a factory or a store if purchased
with the intent to use in a dwelling and transported at the request of the householder who pays for the
transportation charges. They also include moving from one household to another. In the ordinary course of
business, Freight Forwarders:
Use For-Hire Carriers to provide the actual transportation;
Assume responsibility for that property from origin to destination;
Usually take possession of the cargo (often at a warehouse) at some point during the transportation; and
Assemble or consolidate less-than-truckload full into full truckload shipments.

SECTION III
Insurance Information

The dollar amounts in parentheses represent the minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage (liability)
insurance coverage you must maintain and have on file with the FMCSA. Please check the appropriate box(es)
to describe the type of business you will be conducting. Refer to Step 4 under “How to Obtain Operating
Authority” for more information.
Please check one of the following classifications and make any further corresponding selections based on the
type of cargo (hazardous or non-hazardous) you will haul:
Operate vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more;
Operate only vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) under 10,000 pounds; or
Certifies that in its forwarding operations it: will not own or operate any motor vehicles upon the highways
in the transportation of property or will not perform transfer, collection, or delivery services; and will not
have motor vehicles operated under its direction and control in the performance of transfer collection, or
delivery services.

SECTION IV
Certification Household Goods
ALL HOUSEHOLD GOODS FREIGHT FORWARDER APPLICANTS must certify that they are fit, willing, and
able to provide household goods freight forwarding services and that they will comply with the pertinent
requirements. You should check the “yes” response only if you can attest to the truth of the statements. Do not
complete this section if you are not a Household Goods Freight Forwarder.

SECTION V
Safety Certification
Vehicle-operating Freight Forwarder applicants must complete this section.
Check only one of the boxes in this section.
The first section of questions in the certification statement describes the activities or actions that carriers must
follow in order to be compliant with USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. You should check the “yes”
response only if you can attest to the truth of the statements.
The second section relates to EXEMPT APPLICANTS. If the applicant operates only vehicles with a gross vehicle
weight rating less than 10,000 pounds and will not transport Hazardous Material, you are exempt from the first
certification. However, you must indicate that you are familiar with and will observe general operational safety
fitness guidelines and applicable State and local laws relating to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.

SECTION VI
Control Relationships
All forwarder applicants must disclose and describe pertinent control relationships.

SECTIONS VII
Affiliations
In the past three years, if the applicant has held ownership (even a percentage of stock ownership), provided a
loan to, or held a management position with a trucking entity/company that is regulated by FMCSA, please list
that entity’s name, MC Number, USDOT Number, and the latest USDOT Safety Rating. This includes any entity
or company that is/was licensed by the former ICC, FHWA, or OMCS.

SECTION VIII
Applicant’s Oath
The "Applicant's Oath" applies to all certifications on this form. False certifications are subject to the penalties
described in the oath.

Applications may be prepared by the applicant or an authorized representative. In either case, the oath must be
signed by the applicant. In the case of Corporations, an authorized employee in the ownership structure may sign.
An individual with power of attorney to act on behalf of the applicant may sign, provided that proof of the power of
attorney is submitted with the application.
State Notification
Before beginning new or expanded Interstate operations, all applicants must contact the appropriate regulatory
agencies to obtain information regarding various State regulations in every State in and through which the Carrier
will operate.

STATUS: After your application is processed by FMCSA, you can check its status on the Internet. Application,
Insurance, and Process Agent information appears on the Licensing and Insurance Web site as soon as it is
entered into the database or filed electronically. The Web site address is http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov. From there,
select “Registration and Licensing”, then select “Licensing and Insurance System”.

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
INFORMATION SOURCES
To receive information on your Operating Authority or insurance and Process Agent filings status, please use
FMCSA's Automated Response Capability (ARC) telephone system. This system is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. To access the system, dial (202) 358-7000. Please have your MC Number (referred to as your
docket number in the system) available when you call. You will receive your MC Number in the grant letter (Step
2 in the “How to Obtain Operating Authority” section of these instructions).
For assistance in filing your application, please contact FMCSA at 800-832-5660 and select the appropriate
prompts.

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION SOURCES
USDOT Registration and Safety Ratings
To obtain your USDOT Number, you may either:
Apply online at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov, which will provide you with a USDOT Number instantly;
Print the form from FMCSA’s Web site ( http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/print/r-l-forms.htm)
and mail it to FMCSA by following the mailing instructions included in the application; or
Call (800) 832-5660 to request a form be mailed to you;
To request a safety fitness review, you must contact your local FMCSA field office. To find the contact
information for your local field office, please either:
Visit the FMCSA Web site at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov and select “Contact Us”. Select the field office
corresponding with your State; or
Call (800) 832-5660;

Note: If you already have an assigned safety rating, you may view your status online at FMCSA’s Web site,
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov, by selecting “Registration and Licensing”, going to ”SAFER System” and choosing
“Company Snapshot,” or by calling (800) 832-5660.
USDOT Hazardous Materials Regulations
To obtain information on whether the commodities you intend to transport are considered to be Hazardous
Material, refer to provisions governing Hazardous Material in the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations at Parts
100 through 185 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), particularly the Hazardous Materials Table
at 49 CFR Part 172, or contact the FMCSA (202) 366-6121.
To obtain information about DOT Hazardous Material transportation registration requirements, contact the
USDOT agency responsible for it at (202) 366-4109.
NOTICE
PAPERWORK BURDEN. It is estimated that an average of 2 burden hours per response are required to complete
this collection of information. This estimate includes time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden should be
directed to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Licensing Team, Suite 8214, 400 7th
Street, SW, Washington DC 20590. This collection of information is required in order for the FMCSA to obtain
data and register for-hire motor carriers of passengers and property and certain U.S.-based Mexican-owned
enterprise passenger carriers. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently-valid OMB control number. The
OMB control number for this collection is 2126-0016