How Long Does It Take to Get Your MC Authority Activated?

Introduction

It usually takes 20-25 business days to get your MC authority activated by the FMCSA on Motus. This whole process of getting operating authority consists of six steps, which include a 10-day protest period too. The mentioned timeline may vary based on missing information, protests filed by competitors, the operating state, and delays in application submission.

In this blog, we will explain the MC authority activation timeline, what happens during the 10-day protest period, what can cause delays, and what you can do while waiting for your authority to become active.

How Long Does It Take to Get MC Authority Activated

It takes the FMCSA 3-4 weeks to activate MC authority, as it consists of several steps. Additional time is possible when an application is selected for further review.

Moreover, many people think that the 10-day protest period means that your MC authority will activate immediately, but it’s not true. It is only one part of the authority-activation process. After the protest period ends, FMCSA still needs to complete the application process and confirm the required filings, such as insurance and BOC-3.

In the exceptional case, if you have filed for insurance and BOC-3 in the first 10 days after applying for MC authority application then your application will be approved immediately after the 10 days protest period.

What Happens At Each Stage

What Can Delay MC Authority Activation?

• Insurance filing delays
• Not having BOC-3
• Incorrect or missing business information
• Protest against your application
• FMCSA reviewing

How to Avoid Delay In MC Authority Application

Here are a few things that you must consider to avoid extending your 10-day protest period

• Enter your legal business details correctly.
• Keep your business address the same.
• Check that your MC information matches your insurance filing.
• Arrange required insurance immediately.
• Correctly file your BOC-3.
• Monitor your FMCSA application status regularly.
• Respond quickly if FMCSA requests additional information.
• Don’t begin regulated operations before authority is active.

What Is the 10-Day Protest Period for MC Authority?

When you apply for new operating authority, FMCSA publishes your application for public notice. That notice period is generally referred to as the 10-day protest period, and it allows the public to protest against your application before authority is granted. The protest period applies to the relevant operating-authority applications governed by Part 365.

Why Does FMCSA Have a 10-Day Protest Period?

This process exists so that interested parties have a chance to raise a legitimate objection to a new carrier’s application before the authority is finalized. Actual protests are uncommon, but the notice window still applies to essentially every new authority application.

Besides that, this step is important for the protection of the regulatory process. It is to verify that the applicant meets the applicable requirements.

What Happens If Someone Protests Your MC Authority?

If someone protests against your MC authority application, then FMCSA will evaluate the protest. Due to this, the 10-day protest period may be extended, and your MC authority will be delayed.

A protest can only be considered if it meets FMCSA requirements and is filed within the applicable deadline. Moreover, under §365.205, protests must contain the information the protestant intends to rely on and must be verified.

What Can a 10-day Protest Be Based On?

The 10-day protest may be based on

• The standard fitness-only authorities
• Any legal issue with the application

What Can You Do During the 10-Day Protest Period?

As a trucking business, wait for 10-days to make sure that there is no protest against your application. But in the meantime, you can do the following few things to utilize this time.

• Confirm insurance filing
• Confirm BOC-3 filing
• Check FMCSA  application status on Motus
• Verify business information
• Prepare UCR registration where applicable
• Organize required operating documents
• Prepare vehicle and driver compliance requirements
• Start broker hiring preparations where required

Does 10-days Protest Period Apply To Both Interstate And Intrastate Applications?

If your trucking service is operating only in one state, then you don’t need to wait for the federal protest period. You can register through your state’s transportation or public utilities agency.

But if your trucking business is operating in more than one state, that 10-day protest period is applicable. Remember, the protest period timeline may also vary by state as well.

Conclusion

The protest period for MC operating authority activation is of 10-day as implied by the FMCSA, so competitors can file a genuine protest against the application. This period may take longer based on the protest filed. But while waiting for 10 days, you can check your insurance and BOC-3 status and verify all your business details.

So, need help verifying insurance and BOC-3 status?

Contact Star4truckers

Here, we help you with a compliance check to see whether your insurance and BOC-3 are present. We also assist you in verifying all the business details to make the next steps of the application easier.

FAQ

1- How long does it take to get MC authority activated?

It takes the FMCSA 20-25 business days to activate your MC authority. But this time may be extended if there is any missing information, a protest against your application, or FMCSA review.

2- Is the FMCSA protest period 10 days or 21 days?

The FMCSA protest period is 10-days and not 21 days according to the new guidelines.

3- Will my MC authority activate after 10-days protest period?

Normally, a clearing 10-days does not mean that your MC authority will activate immediately. But, if you have filed for insurance and BOC-3 in the first 10 days after applying for MC authority application then your application will be approved immediately after the 10 days protest period.

4- What can delay MC authority activation?

The delay in MC authority activation is due to

• Insurance filing delays
• Not having BOC-3
• Incorrect or missing business information
• Protest against your application
• FMCSA reviewing