<p>A temporary operating authority is an authority granted by the FMCSA for use in emergency situations where existing motor carrier companies are not able to meet the transportation needs. Carriers seeking temporary authority will fill out an application through the FMCSA but must still have a USDOT number. If you do not have a USDOT number, you will need to apply for one using the MCS-150 form, specifying the need for emergency temporary authority.&nbsp;</p>


A temporary operating authority is an authority granted by the FMCSA for use in emergency situations where existing motor carrier companies are not able to meet the transportation needs. Carriers seeking temporary authority will fill out an application through the FMCSA but must still have a USDOT number. If you do not have a USDOT number, you will need to apply for one using the MCS-150 form, specifying the need for emergency temporary authority. 

What Is a Temporary Operating Authority and How Do I Receive One?

Why Do I Need A USDOT PIN and How Can I Obtain One?

How Can I Cancel My USDOT/MC Number and Can It Be Reinstated Again In The Future?

Can I Request A New Operating Authority Letter?

What Does A Compliance Check Include?

How Can I Reinstate My USDOT Number or MC Number? 

What Is The Difference Between "Not Authorized" and "Inactive" For My USDOT Number?

What Is the ClearingHouse Program and Do I Need to Register?

What Is The Difference Between Interstate and Intrastate?

What Is an Authority Rating Letter and How Can I Request One?

Who Is Required by the Department of Transportation and FMCSA To Be In Compliance With The Random Drug/Alcohol Testing Program?

I’m An Owner Operator With No Other Drivers. Do I Need to Sign Up for a Drug and Alcohol Testing Program?

What Do I Need to Provide for my New Entrant Audit?

What Is the Difference Between PSP and MVR?

What Is a New Entrant Safety Audit?

Who Is Subject to a DOT Safety Audit?

What If I Fail My New Entrant Safety Audit?

When Will My New Entrant Safety Audit Occur?

How Will FMCSA Notify Me of My Upcoming Safety Audit?

What If I Don’t Respond To The First Safety Audit Notification?

When Is a Motor Carrier Safety Rating Issued?

Why Is My Company Considered An Unrated Carrier?

What Is the Difference Between a Satisfactory, Conditional, and Unsatisfactory Rating?

What’s IFTA?

Who Must Register for IFTA?

How Often Must I File Tax Reports for IFTA?

What States Require a Highway Use Tax?

Where Can My Driver Have His Physical Completed?

How Long Will a Driver’s Medical Card Be Active For?

Do I Have To File Quarterly Tax Reports For IFTA If I Don’t Leave My Home State?

Do I Have to File Quarterly Tax Reports For IFTA If I Didn’t Drive This Quarter?

Who Needs a USDOT Number?

What Are The Different Types Of Operating Authorities Issued For USDOT Numbers?

What Is the International Registration Plan (IRP)?

Do I Need To Register With The IRP?

Which Of My Trucks Need To Have An Annual Inspection?

Do I Have To Pull An MVR After A Driver Renews Their Medical Card?

What Is The Difference Between USDOT Number and MC Number?

Do I Need An MC Number?

Am I Required To Have A USDOT Number?

What Is an MX Number and Who Needs That?

What Is a California DOT Number and Do I Need That?

What Is an FF Number and Do I Need That?

What Can I Do If I Received a DOT Inspection Violation?

Do I Need Apportioned Plates?

What Is a TXDOT Number and Do I Need It?

I Have Paid for Insurance But I Am Still Not Active, Am I Missing Something?

What Is the BMC-91 / BMC-91X?

Can a Motor Carrier Broker Loads to Other Carriers?

What Is Factoring and Do I Need to Get Set Up with a Factoring Company?

How Do I Determine My GVW?

What Are the Steps to Starting a Trucking Company?

What Are the Motor Vehicle Decal Requirements?

What Is a Broker Authority?

What Is a CBSA and Do I Need It?

What Is a Hazardous Material Safety Permit and Do I Need It?

Does a Broker Need a License or Bond?

I Am an Intrastate Carrier But Wish to Start Driving in Other States, What Do I Need?

What Is the Difference Between Private and For-Hire Motor Carrier?

Can I Change My Tax ID/EIN/SSN to a Different One On My USDOT Number?

Until I Get My Own USDOT Number and MC Number, Can I Lease My Services/Truck to Another For-Hire Carrier Who Is Already Set Up?

What Is the Difference Between Common and Contract Motor Carrier?

Are USDOT Numbers Transferable?

Common Questions

Answers to USDOT Questions