Formerly known as ICC or FHWA authority, Interstate Operating Authority is permission
granted by the federal government to transport regulated freight across state lines.
Interstate Operating Authority is now granted by the Office of Motor Carrier Safety
Administration under the auspices of the FHWA. Unlike many of the other regulations
governing interstate operations, there is no minimum weight threshold that requires
compliance. Any vehicle operating for hire in interstate transportation of regulated
freight or passengers must have operating authority.
After authority is granted, all regulated motor carriers must register their authority
with the states in which they will conduct operations. This is done through the Single
State Registration System (38 states participate in this program) and is known as SSRS
registration. If your base state is a non-participating state, then application is made
through a neighboring state that belongs to the SSRS. Only after you receive an RS-3
receipt as proof of your SSRS filing are you legal to operate in interstate commerce.
Any regulated freight that is transported wholly within state lines (pickup and deliver same
load without crossing state lines) is considered intrastate carriage or point to point and
is controlled on the state level. Permission to conduct this type of operation is known as
Intrastate Authority. Most intrastate operations require registration with the state(s)
where these operations take place.
All motor carriers operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle in interstate or foreign commerce
must be assigned & display a USDOT Number before interstate operations begin. This includes
all interstate private, exempt, for hire and passenger motor carriers.
A property broker must have a surety bond or trust agreement in effect for $10,000. The FMCSA
will not issue a property broker license until a surety bond or trust is in effect. The broker
license shall remain in effect only as long as a surety bond or trust is kept in effect.
Keeping the bond or trust in effect is the sole responsibility of the broker.
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