Trucking: mc

Question
What is MC Athority

Answer
All Commercial Vehicles need authority from the Feds to operate.  This is the DOT number.  Easy enough to get on line.  If you will only haul your own property ( this could be a contractor or maybe WalMart), than you need nothing else.

If you want to be for hire to haul other people's property, now you need a Motor Carrier number.  This is similar to a DOT number except it gives you the authority to be for hire.  To run without an MC number when you are for hire can be VERY expensive when you get caught and any good dealer will ask to see your creds proving that you are legal.  The MC authority allows you to haul almost anything with a few exceptions.  

You can go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov for more info or there are many private outfits online that can do the DOT  and MC numbers.  This will also require you to have cargo insurance and you will not be able to be treated as your personal car.

Officers can spot the lack of either a DOT number or MC very easily.   

You can also hire yourself out to a company that has their own DOT / MC numbers and work under their authority.  That's what a lot of owner operators do.

Hope this helps you out.

Andy