How do I check if an MC number is active?
By Jake Marsh · Reviewed · Numbers are Rookiefeed analysis as of , updated daily · How the list is built
Look up the number and read its status. Active means FMCSA granted the authority and it's in force; Pending, Inactive and Withdrawn mean the company can't operate under it. Rookiefeed's MC number lookup shows the status and grant date for authorities granted or applied for since late August 2026. For older carriers, check FMCSA's own record in Motus.
How to check one number
- Get the docket number with its prefix (MC, MX or FF), or the carrier's USDOT number. Part of the company name also works.
- Enter it in the MC number lookup.
- Read the Status now column on the authority row. You want Active.
- Check the Authority type column. Broker authority doesn't let a company haul freight as a carrier, so match the type to what the company says it does.
- Read the Granted date and the First-time column to see how new the authority is and whether the company held authority before.
- If the number isn't found, check its record with FMCSA in Motus. A carrier with no grant or application since late August 2026 isn't in the lookup.
What each status means
Motus also shows the reason next to the status, such as Granted, Reinstated or Revoked. Read both. MC authority status explained covers each reason.
| Status | What it means | Can it operate under this authority? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Granted and in force | Yes |
| Pending | Applied for, not yet granted | No |
| Inactive | Revoked, suspended or otherwise not in force | No |
| Withdrawn | Application pulled before the grant | No |
What Active doesn't prove
- That it will stay active. Authority depends on insurance and BOC-3 filings staying on record, and FMCSA can suspend or revoke it if they lapse.
- That every authority on the record is active. A company can hold several, and since Motus each newly granted authority gets its own docket. Check the one you care about.
- That the carrier is free of out-of-service orders. FMCSA tracks an out-of-service order separately from authority status.
- That you're talking to the carrier. FMCSA warns about people selling, buying or leasing USDOT and MC numbers. Confirm the name and contact details match the record.
How current the answer is
The lookup is Rookiefeed analysis, refreshed every morning, and it isn't affiliated with FMCSA. Status can change during the day, so check with FMCSA before relying on it for a load or a policy.
If FMCSA's systems seem to disagree, go with Motus. It's FMCSA's registration system of record. If you saw the words not authorized, see what not authorized means.
Checking many carriers at once
One lookup suits one carrier. If you call on new carriers every day, Rookiefeed sends every carrier granted authority the day before, about 208 a business day nationally, by 7am Central, so each row is a fresh grant, with first-time or returning marked. Rookiefeed is $59 a month for one state once a week, $149 for one state every day, $299 for up to 8 states and $599 for every state, and you can cancel any time. Build a free list to see the rows.
Questions
- How do I know if my MC number is active?
- Look it up and read the status. Active means FMCSA granted the authority and it's in force. Rookiefeed's lookup covers authorities granted or applied for since late August 2026; for an older authority, check FMCSA's record in Motus or call FMCSA at 800-832-5660.
- Does a USDOT number mean the MC number is active?
- No. They're separate. A company can have an active USDOT number with no active operating authority, which means it can't run interstate for-hire operations.
- Why does my MC number still show pending?
- FMCSA hasn't put the authority in force yet, usually because review isn't finished or the insurance or BOC-3 filing isn't on record. Motus shows the reason next to the status.
Every new carrier, by 7am
Owner name, phone, email, fleet, equipment and insurer for each carrier FMCSA authorized yesterday, as a CSV.
Related
Sources: FMCSA: Availability of Motus (Federal Register, April 29, 2026) · FMCSA: Changes to FMCSA Registrations in Motus · FMCSA: Insurance Filing Requirements · FMCSA: Fraud Alerts