What Is an MC Authority Letter?

If a broker, shipper, or load board has asked you for your "authority letter" or "certificate of authority," they're asking for an official document that proves your company is legally permitted to operate as a motor carrier. This guide explains exactly what that document is, what it contains, and how to get a copy when you need one.

The short answer

A motor carrier authority letter is the document the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues to confirm that a company has been granted operating authority. Operating authority is the legal right to transport regulated commodities — or passengers — in interstate commerce for compensation. The letter is tied to your MC number and serves as the paper proof behind your registration.

What information is on the letter

Your MC (docket) number — the unique identifier the FMCSA assigns to your operating authority.
Your legal company name — the entity the authority was granted to.
The type of authority — common carrier, contract carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.
The commodity class — property, passengers, or household goods.
The effective date — when the authority was granted.

Who asks for it — and why

Brokers and shippers won't tender a load to a carrier that can't prove it's authorized to haul it. Most will request a copy of your authority letter during setup, alongside your insurance certificate and W-9. Load boards and factoring companies often ask for the same document. Because the letter shows the exact type of authority you hold, it tells the other party whether you're legally allowed to move their freight.

Authority letter vs. the FMCSA's online snapshot

The FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot shows a carrier's current status online, but it isn't the same as the issued authority letter. The snapshot is a live status lookup; the authority letter is the formal, dated document that brokers keep on file. Many companies need both — the snapshot to confirm a carrier is active right now, and the letter as the document of record.

How to get a copy of your authority letter

If you've lost your original or never received one, you don't have to wait for the mail. Search your MC number and we'll locate your authority letter from archives going back to 1966 — usually delivered within minutes.

Search your MC number to find and purchase your authority letter.