MC authority
Motor Carrier authority — the FMCSA grant of operating rights to transport property or passengers for-hire across state lines. The MC number identifies the authority. Different authority types exist for different operations: MC (motor carrier of property), FF (freight forwarder), MX (Mexican-domiciled carrier authorized to operate in the US). Intrastate-only carriers operate without MC authority under state-issued operating rights.
Why it matters
MC authority is a working signal of what the carrier is legally allowed to do. A carrier with an active MC and a USDOT number is authorized for interstate for-hire freight. A carrier with a USDOT but no MC may be a private fleet, an intrastate carrier, or a carrier whose authority is inactive. The MC status (active, pending, revoked) is published federally and updates when the carrier's authority changes.
Where it appears in a Hoffman Report
The Hoffman Report's identity block shows the carrier's MC number alongside the USDOT number. The Federal record summary notes whether the authority is active. Status changes are captured on the next monthly refresh after federal records update.
Related terms
Authority types and registration requirements are defined by FMCSA. Authority status visible on the report reflects the most recent monthly refresh. The authoritative federal source is FMCSA SAFER and the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance system.