<p>A freight forwarding (FF) number is a number unique to freight forwarding companies. They will receive this in addition to their USDOT number as a way to distinguish their operating authority. You will not be able to operate as a freight forwarder without an FF number, but if you are not engaged in this type of business you do not need one.</p>


A freight forwarding (FF) number is a number unique to freight forwarding companies. They will receive this in addition to their USDOT number as a way to distinguish their operating authority. You will not be able to operate as a freight forwarder without an FF number, but if you are not engaged in this type of business you do not need one.

What Is an FF Number and Do I Need That?

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 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 a Temporary Operating Authority and How Do I Receive One?

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