The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is making a major change that will impact every motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder operating in the U.S.
As of October 1, 2025, MC numbers will no longer be issued or used. Going forward, the USDOT number will be the sole identifier for regulated entities, with authority types distinguished by suffixes tied to that USDOT number.
Suffixes at the end of the USDOT Number will indicate each type of registration granted. These suffixes will not be a vehicle marking requirement.
This update is part of FMCSA’s long-term effort to modernize its Unified Registration System (URS) — streamlining oversight, reducing fraud, and simplifying compliance. But it also means businesses need to take action now to avoid disruption when the change takes effect.
MC numbers have long served as a secondary identifier for carriers and brokers. However, FMCSA has determined they are redundant and, in some cases, problematic:
Simplification: Relying on a single number (USDOT) makes registration and compliance less confusing.
Fraud prevention: Eliminating MC numbers closes loopholes such as “churning” (where bad actors created new MC numbers to hide poor safety histories).
Stronger oversight: A unified identifier improves FMCSA’s ability to track compliance and safety performance.
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Identifiers: MC numbers are eliminated; USDOT number + suffix will serve as the sole identifier.
Existing MC Numbers: Valid until October 1, 2025, but cannot be used after that date.
New Applications: Beginning October 1, 2025, all new authorities (carrier, broker, forwarder) will be issued only under the USDOT number.
New entrants: Learn how Foley can help get you on the road fast with BOC-3 filings, DOT permits and registrations, and everything else you need to start your business.
To prepare for this change, every FMCSA-regulated company should take the following steps:
Verify Your USDOT Record: Ensure your USDOT number is active and accurate. Confirm your MCS-150 form is up to date, and that your business name, address, and contact information are correct.
Audit All Business Documents & Systems: Identify where your MC number appears (insurance certificates, contracts, BOC-3 filings, invoices, websites, dispatch software, and even email signatures). Plan to replace it with your USDOT number + suffix.
Communicate with Partners: Inform brokers, shippers, and business partners that after October 1, 2025, MC numbers will no longer be valid. Share your USDOT number and suffix to avoid delays or rejected loads.
Train Your Staff: Update internal procedures, training materials, and compliance checklists. Make sure employees know that the MC number will no longer apply.
Prepare for New FMCSA Systems: FMCSA is rolling out Login.gov access and stronger identity verification under URS. Legacy USDOT PINs will be phased out, so make sure your team is ready to adapt to new log-in and verification requirements.
Failing to update your records and systems could cause:
Contract or load rejections if shippers or brokers require USDOT-only verification.
Insurance complications if your authority documentation is outdated.
Regulatory risk during audits or roadside inspections.
Operational delays as partners adjust to the new system.
This transition may feel overwhelming, but Foley is here to make it seamless. We can support your business by:
Monitoring FMCSA guidance and keeping you informed of new requirements.
Auditing your compliance documents and systems to identify MC number references.
Assisting with updates to contracts, BOC-3 filings, and operating authority records.
Providing training and communication tools so your staff and business partners are prepared.
Offering compliance technology that integrates with FMCSA’s updated verification system, ensuring your authority checks remain fast and accurate.
The elimination of MC numbers is one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent years. By acting now — verifying your USDOT record, updating your documents, and training your staff — you can avoid last-minute stress and keep your operations running smoothly.
Foley is ready to help every step of the way. If you’d like assistance preparing your business for the October 1, 2025 transition, contact us today.
While an MVR is a static report that captures a driver’s history at a single point in time, MVR monitoring goes a step further by continuously tracking each driver’s motor vehicle record. With monitoring in place, any changes—often called “hits”—trigger a new report that is uploaded, scanned for accuracy, and followed by an immediate notification.
By law, MVRs only need to be pulled once a year, but a lot can happen in 12 months. Without monitoring, an employer might not learn about violations or incidents until the next annual report. A monitoring program ensures that any updates are captured in real time, providing a much more proactive approach.
A PSP, on the other hand, is only pulled during the hiring process. It is continually updated through the MCMIS, so when a driver changes jobs, the new employer can access the most current record of that driver’s safety and inspection history.
A Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, on the other hand, is a comprehensive report that provides a driver's safety history, including data from the DOT's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). PSP reports are designed to help employers make informed hiring decisions by providing a more detailed picture of a driver's safety record. A PSP report typically includes:
Driver's identification information
Safety ratings
Five years of crash data
Three years of roadside inspection history
Violations
NOTE: A PSP is not federally mandated by the DOT. The FMCSA makes it available, but employers can choose whether to order a PSP report when screening a driver.
While both MVR and PSP reports are used to screen drivers, there are significant differences between the two:
Source of Information: MVRs are obtained from state motor vehicle agencies, while PSP reports are generated from the DOT's MCMIS database.
Scope of Information: MVRs provide a more limited view of a driver's history, focusing on license status and traffic violations. PSP reports, by contrast, offer a more comprehensive picture of a driver's safety record, including crash data and inspection history.
Purpose: MVRs are typically used to verify a driver's qualifications and ensure compliance with state regulations. PSP reports are used to assess a driver's safety risk and make informed hiring decisions.
To ensure DOT compliance, organizations must use both MVR and PSP reports as part of their driver screening process. Here's why:
Comprehensive Screening: Using both MVR and PSP reports provides a more complete picture of a driver's history and safety record.
Regulatory Compliance: The DOT requires employers to review a driver's PSP report before hiring them, and to maintain accurate records of their safety performance.
Risk Management: By using both MVR and PSP reports, organizations can better assess a driver's safety risk and make informed decisions about their hiring and retention.
To get the most out of MVR and PSP reports, organizations should:
Use both reports: Combine MVR and PSP reports to get a comprehensive view of a driver's history and safety record.
Verify driver information: Ensure that driver information is accurate and up-to-date to avoid errors or discrepancies.
Maintain accurate records: Keep accurate records of driver safety performance, including MVR and PSP reports.
By understanding the differences between MVR and PSP reports, and using both as part of a comprehensive driver screening process, organizations can ensure DOT compliance, reduce risk, and maintain a safe and compliant fleet.
At Foley, we're committed to helping organizations navigate the complexities of DOT regulations and maintain a strong compliance posture. We offer multiple platform packages designed to meet the needs of commercial fleets of all sizes with a range of screening solutions, including MVRs, PSPs, CSA monitoring, and more.
If you have questions about MVR and PSP reports, or need guidance on ensuring DOT compliance, we're here to help. Contact us to speak with a compliance expert today.