What "Not Authorized" Means on a USDOT Number (SAFER)

FMCSA's definition

SAFER's help page says NOT AUTHORIZED means the entity's USDOT number is active, but the carrier does not have any operating authority and is not authorized to operate as an interstate, for-hire carrier. It also notes that NOT AUTHORIZED does not apply to private or intrastate operations. Source: SAFER Help.

What this usually involves 5 steps

Confirm how you operate: private or for-hire, interstate or intrastate
If you are a for-hire interstate carrier, apply for operating authority (FMCSA lists $300 per authority type)
Have your insurance company file proof of insurance
Have a process agent file your BOC-3
Confirm the authority shows on SAFER

From SAFER help: status definitions, FMCSA: Registration Forms.

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Your USDOT number is not broken

Inactive and out of service are different statuses with different fixes. Compare them on the status glossary, or go straight to inactive or out of service.

If you haul for hire across state lines, you still need authority

For-hire interstate motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders need operating authority in addition to a USDOT number. FMCSA lists a $300 fee per operating authority type. Authority also depends on insurance filed by your insurer and a BOC-3 process agent designation. Sources: Registration Forms Guide; Form MCS-150 and Instructions. For a first-time authority filing, see dotnumberapplication.com or FMCSA's USDOT Wizard. Our MC authority help covers it too.

If you are private or intrastate only, it can be expected

Carriers hauling their own goods, and carriers operating only within one state, may not need interstate operating authority at all. If that describes you, a NOT AUTHORIZED line may simply reflect your operation. Make sure your record describes your operation accurately before paying for authority you may not need.

If authority was revoked, not never granted

Revoked authority has its own process. See reinstating operating authority and reactivation vs. reinstatement.

Common mistakes that cause delays

Treating "Not authorized" as a problem for a private or intrastate operation. It does not apply to those. (SAFER help: status definitions)

Do it yourself

Free to file in Motus
You set up Login.gov and verify your identity
You work out which form or request fits your record
You match names, addresses and filings exactly
You follow up until the change shows on SAFER

Have a specialist handle it

A Personal Compliance Specialist reads your public record first
You get a plain list of what is outstanding
We prepare the filings with you and check they post
You still complete Login.gov identity verification yourself
Paid service. Any government fee is separate

Prefer to hand it off? A Personal Compliance Specialist can take it from here.

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Common questions

Does "not authorized" mean my USDOT number is inactive?

No. SAFER says the USDOT number is active in that status. It means there is no operating authority for interstate, for-hire operations.

Can I still run as a private carrier?

SAFER notes that NOT AUTHORIZED does not apply to private or intrastate operations. Confirm that your actual operation matches that description.

How do I become authorized for interstate for-hire work?

Apply for operating authority and complete the insurance and BOC-3 process agent filings that authority requires.

Is there a fee to fix "not authorized"?

There is no fee for the USDOT number itself. FMCSA lists a $300 fee per operating authority type if you need new authority, and an $80 fee to request reinstatement of revoked authority.

My authority should already be active. Why does SAFER still say not authorized?

The application may still be waiting on insurance, a BOC-3 or FMCSA review, or the authority may have been revoked.

Still unsure after the questions above? Ask a Personal Compliance Specialist.