Glossary
MC Number (Motor Carrier Number)
A unique identifier the FMCSA assigns to a carrier authorized to transport regulated commodities or passengers across state lines.
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How it works — and why it matters
The FMCSA issues an MC number when it grants a carrier interstate operating authority. It differs from a USDOT number, which identifies the entity for safety monitoring but does not by itself confer authority to haul freight for hire — brokers look up both when qualifying a carrier.
The MC number is the anchor for carrier verification: authority status, insurance filings, and safety history all key off it in FMCSA systems. It is also central to fraud prevention — double-brokering schemes often involve spoofed or borrowed MC numbers, so validating that the carrier contacting you actually controls that MC matters.