A change 30 years in the making will finally come to fruition this fall.
MC numbers are finally going away.
Since 1930, MC numbers have aided in carrier identification. However, with the addition of USDOT numbers in the 1960s, MC numbers have slowly lost their relevance.
Here’s everything you need to know about this landmark change.
When Will the Change Take Place?
MC numbers will no longer be issued or recognized by the FMCSA in October 2025.
Why are MC Numbers Being Discontinued?
Over the last 50 years, USDOT numbers have assumed the role of MC numbers. The two-number system has caused administrative and security hassles for decades.
By streamlining carrier identification to only the USDOT number, the FMCSA anticipates the following:
- A decline in freight fraud is expected as offending carriers will lose the ability to apply for a new MC number.
- An administrative burden will be lifted as only one number tells the entire carrier story. No more cross-referencing between numbers.
In the future, the USDOT number will also have suffixes that describe your business as a carrier, broker, etc., for maximum clarity.
What Do I Need to Do?
MC numbers will be discontinued automatically. To participate in the transition, you must only update your personal systems, website, and marketing to remove references to your MC number.
Scams Surrounded MC Number Discontinuation
Unfortunately, scammers have already taken advantage of the transition to USDOT numbers.
Common scams include:
- Calls from the “FMCSA” to discontinue MC numbers. The transition will happen automatically, so if you get a call from the FMCSA to retire your MC number, you can be sure it’s a scam.
- Phony compliance courses. If a third-party organization contacts you to guide you through the process, it’s bogus. Stick to official FMCSA.gov resources for authentic help.
- Early suffix reservations. There are no “early bird” suffix reservations. Any service claiming to get you a suffix early is a scam.
Resources
For more information about the discontinuation of MC numbers, visit FMCSA.dot.gov or the American Trucking Association. Both organizations are credible and offer free resources for the transition.
MC numbers are a carrier tool dating back to the 1930s. Today, they’ve lost their utility. By preparing your systems for the transition and staying vigilant for scams, you can be prepared for the official switch-over in October 2025.
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