Authority

MC authority pending: what holds it up and how long it takes

Updated October 21, 2026

What pending means in Motus

FMCSA's Motus guidance lists three reasons an authority stays pending. Each one has a different owner.

Your insurer's filing is what puts your coverage on your FMCSA record. The certificate of insurance (COI) your agent emails to you or a broker doesn't count, and FMCSA won't grant authority until the required filings are in effect.

The clock after you apply

1. Review. Older FMCSA guidance put this at 20 to 25 business days for an online application, and eight weeks or longer when an application gets more review.
2. Publication. FMCSA publishes your application in the FMCSA Register.
3. Protest window. Anyone can protest within 10 days after publication.
4. Insurance deadline. Your insurance filing is due within 20 days of publication. If it's missing, FMCSA serves a decision that gives you 60 days to comply before it dismisses the application. Go by the date on that decision.
5. Grant. FMCSA issues the grant once your filings are in effect, and your authority shows active.

Day 10 and day 20 are deadlines. Only the grant turns your authority on.

How to get it moving

Check each piece and push the one that's missing.

• Call your insurer first. Insurance is one of the three pending reasons. Ask whether it filed the BMC-91 or BMC-91X and on what date.
• Confirm the BOC-3. A process agent files it for a motor carrier, and only one complete BOC-3 should be on file. If you paid an agent, ask for the filing date.
• Check your Motus record. Log in by typing motus.dot.gov into your browser yourself. Motus launched May 19, 2026, and older pages still show the old Portal steps.
• Ask FMCSA. If both filings show and the usual review time has passed, open a ticket through FMCSA's Contact Center at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov (opens in a new tab) or call the number on FMCSA's contact page (opens in a new tab).

While you wait

• Wait for active status before you haul. Operating without active authority breaks federal rules, and pending authority isn't active.
• Watch for fake notices. FMCSA has warned about fake Motus "off-cycle update" messages and false carrier-status notices. A real identity check can come from IDEMIA, which FMCSA lists as its identity partner. See fake notices.
• Line up your first brokers. Published waits on a new MC start once you're active. See how to get loads with new authority.
• Haul under someone else's authority. Leasing on puts you under another carrier's authority and insurance, so its authority age is the one brokers see. Compare it on lease on or own authority.

If FMCSA dismisses the application

A dismissed application is a different case from a revoked authority. The $80 reinstatement request is for revoked authority, so read the decision FMCSA served you before you pay for anything. For the full application steps and fees, see the MC number page.

See what's still missing. Enter your DOT number to see whether FMCSA shows your insurance filing and whether your authority has gone active. Check your status

Frequently asked questions

Why is my MC authority still pending?

Motus lists three reasons an authority stays pending: FMCSA review, the BOC-3 and the insurance filing. Each one has a different owner, so check with FMCSA, your process agent and your insurer.

How long does MC authority stay pending?

Older FMCSA guidance estimated 20 to 25 business days for an online application and eight weeks or longer with more review. FMCSA doesn't promise either time in Motus.

Can I haul while my authority is pending?

No. Operating without active authority breaks federal rules, and pending authority isn't active.

Who do I contact about a pending authority?

Start with your insurer and your process agent. If both filings show and the usual review time has passed, open a ticket with FMCSA's Contact Center, or call the number on its contact page at fmcsa.dot.gov/contact-us.