What Does Revoked Mean on FMCSA Authority?
Reviewed
Revocation is FMCSA ending a company's operating authority, which turns the authority's status to inactive. On the record, revoked is a reason, not a status: Motus and FMCSA's authority data show a status (such as Inactive) and the reason behind it. Once revoked, the carrier can't haul for hire under that authority until it's reinstated.
Common reasons authority ends
Lapsed filings usually show as an involuntary suspension, the most common reason for inactive authority in FMCSA's data. Revoked is the reason on authorities FMCSA ended.
- Insurance: the insurer files a cancellation (Form BMC-35, with 30 days' notice) and no replacement meeting the minimum is on file when it takes effect.
- Process agents: the BOC-3 is cancelled with no new designation.
- Safety: FMCSA's new entrant rules say a carrier that fails its safety audit and doesn't fix the problems faces revocation.
- Voluntary: the carrier asks FMCSA to end or suspend its own authority.
Discontinued revocation
Discontinued revocation appears on active authorities. FMCSA started to revoke, most often after an insurance cancellation, then stopped because the problem was fixed in time, usually by a new insurance filing. The authority never went inactive. For insurance agents it marks a carrier that just switched or nearly lost its policy.
A carrier that comes back after revocation is a returning authority, not a new one. Rookiefeed flags first-time vs returning on every grant so a reinstatement doesn't pass as a new company. More in MC authority status explained.
Questions
- What is the difference between revoked and inactive?
- Inactive is the authority's status: it isn't in force. Revoked is one reason an authority can be inactive. Others include involuntary suspension when insurance or the BOC-3 lapses, voluntary suspension and a dismissed application. Motus shows the reason next to the status, so read both.
Every newly granted carrier, by 7am
MC and USDOT numbers, owner name, phone, email, trucks, equipment and the insurer on file, for each carrier FMCSA authorized yesterday.
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Related terms
- Reinstatement Making an inactive operating authority active again, usually after the missing insurance or BOC-3 filing is back on record.
- Operating authority FMCSA's permission for a company to transport regulated freight or passengers for hire in interstate commerce, or to arrange that transport.
- BMC-91 and BMC-91X Certificates an insurer files with FMCSA proving a motor carrier carries the required bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
- BOC-3 The designation of process agents form, naming someone in each required state who can accept legal papers for a carrier, broker or forwarder.
Sources: 49 CFR 387.313, forms and procedures · FMCSA: Motus changes to FMCSA registrations (fact sheet) · FMCSA: insurance filing requirements