---
title: "What Does Revoked Mean on FMCSA Authority?"
url: "https://rookiefeed.com/glossary/revocation"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# What Does Revoked Mean on FMCSA Authority?

> 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](https://rookiefeed.com/glossary/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](https://rookiefeed.com/glossary/reinstatement) doesn't pass as a new company. More in [MC authority status explained](https://rookiefeed.com/guides/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.

## Go deeper

- [MC authority status explained](https://rookiefeed.com/guides/mc-authority-status-explained.md)
- [First-time vs returning authority: which new carriers still need a factor](https://rookiefeed.com/guides/first-time-vs-returning-authority.md)

## Sources

- [49 CFR 387.313, forms and procedures](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/387.313)
- [FMCSA: Motus changes to FMCSA registrations (fact sheet)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2026-05/Motus%20Changes%20to%20FMCSA%20Registrations.pdf)
- [FMCSA: insurance filing requirements](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-filing-requirements)

All terms: https://rookiefeed.com/glossary.md