Glossary

BOC-3

Quick answer

An FMCSA filing that designates a registered process agent in every state where a carrier or broker operates.

BOC-3 must be filed by an authorized blanket process agent (not the carrier directly) and is required for active operating authority. Typical cost is $25–$50 per year.

Learn more: The Complete New Authority Setup Guide

Related terms

MC NumberFMCSA-issued Motor Carrier number that identifies an authorized for-hire interstate carrier or broker.
UCRUnified Carrier Registration — an annual fee that every interstate motor carrier pays by December 31.
Authority (Operating Authority)FMCSA-issued permission for a motor carrier or broker to operate in interstate commerce, evidenced by an active MC number.

How to Get Your Own MC Number in 2026Step-by-step for filing FMCSA Form OP-1 in 2026 — insurance, BOC-3, UCR, and the mandatory 21-day protest wait.
New Authority Setup Checklist (Print This)Every form, fee, and filing for a U.S. new trucking authority — in the correct order — from EIN to ELD provisioning.
Cost of Starting a Trucking Company in 2026: Complete Startup Cost BreakdownThe complete 2026 breakdown of what it costs to start a U.S. trucking company — from LLC formation and MC authority to insurance, equipment, ELDs, IFTA, IRP, and 60–90 days of working capital. Three real budget examples ($18K, $55K, and $180K), the hidden costs most new carriers miss, and how to survive year one.

BOC-3

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