The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a bulletin on March 19, 2026, reminding the industry that U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers are not transferable assets. Carriers, brokers, and shippers should be aware that improper use of these numbers can trigger enforcement actions and disrupt operations.
Key Prohibition
The FMCSA strictly prohibits selling, buying, leasing, or using another entity’s USDOT or MC number. These identifiers are issued to a specific legal entity and remain permanently tied to that business or individual. They are not assets that can be passed along or shared.
What Is and Is Not Allowed
Federal regulations permit the leasing of equipment, including trucks and drivers, and USDOT numbers may carry over in legitimate business transactions such as mergers or acquisitions. What cannot be leased, rented, or sold separately is the operating authority itself. Understanding that distinction is critical, as the line between permissible and prohibited activity is not always obvious.
Violations can result in inactivation of the USDOT number, revocation of operating authority, and loss of safety registration. In many cases, these actions can immediately halt operations and create significant financial and contractual challenges.
Ownership and Transfer Rules
Ownership and transfer rules differ depending on how the business is structured, making it important to understand how these requirements apply to your specific entity:
- Sole proprietors—The USDOT number is permanently tied to the individual and cannot be transferred. Selling a business does not transfer the number; the buyer must register separately.
- Corporate entities—The USDOT number belongs to the legal entity and may only be transferred through a formal sale or merger. FMCSA records must be updated following any ownership change, and dissolved entities must deactivate their registration.
The MC number, which identifies the operating authority, follows a similar logic. It is not a tradable asset and cannot be leased or sold independently. It may only transfer as part of a structured business transaction, and improper handling can lead to revocation.
These requirements help prevent fraud, maintain safety accountability, and ensure regulators can accurately track carrier performance and risk.
Employer Action Steps
To stay compliant and reduce regulatory exposure, employers should:
- Review registrations for accuracy and proper use.
- Ensure no unauthorized sharing of USDOT or MC numbers.
- Train staff on FMCSA compliance requirements.
- Seek professional guidance before ownership or structural changes.
Contact us to see how you could minimize risk:
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