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MC number required?

Jan 11, 2026 at 03:01 PM CST
+ 8
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I have both a USDOT and MC number but see alot of guys that haul exempt commodity only running USDOT number. Is there a reason for not having MC number? Cheaper insurance since no federal filings?
Replied on Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 07:42 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

You are required to have a MC number, if crossing state lines no matter if exemt loads or not. You are NOT required to display your MC# it is tied to your DOT# so as long as DOT# is on truck you're coverd. I haul hazmat, so I display DOT MC LFCL and HAZMAT CO #s
Replied on Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 10:50 AM CST
+ 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
When You Might Not Need an MC Number (But Still Might Need a USDOT Number) ** Private Carriage:** Transporting your own farm products (like crops, livestock, nursery stock) or supplies (fertilizer, feed) for your own farm. ** Exempt Commodities:** Hauling agricultural goods like grains, livestock, and fresh vegetables across state lines for compensation often falls under exemptions, requiring a USDOT but not an MC. Farm Vehicle Exemptions: Specific exemptions exist for "covered farm vehicles" operated by farmers within a 150 air-mile radius of the farm, exempting them from some HOS/CDL rules
Replied on Wed, Jan 14, 2026 at 03:13 PM CST
+ 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Im an Exempt for Hire carrier and I cross state lines everyday with just a DOT# . There is an actual list of exempt commodites ( no MC required) that you can run with just a DOT #. Those saying you need an MC# to cross statlines are misinformed
Replied on Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:38 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
MC Number is not required to be displayed. Company DBA, USDot, and Fire Extinguisher Inside is all that DOT looks for. You are not required to have an MC number if you haul exclusively exempt commodities, your own products *Think of Walmart truck hauling Walmart trailer to a Walmart store* or if you operate exclusively in a "commercial zone" like the Washington DC or NYC metropolitan area.....
Replied on Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 07:50 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I just applied for my own authority (common interstate non-exempt) and received both DOT and MC numbers. I was surprised to get a MC number because supposedly those numbers should have been eliminated. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-it-means-for-the-industry-as-fmcsa-eliminates-mc-numbers-in-2025. Apparently not.

As previous posts say, it isn't necessary to display your MC number even if you are required to have one. Currently, I am leased to Quality Carriers, which is interstate non-exempt, and they only display the DOT numbers.

Replied on Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 10:14 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "You are required to have a MC number, if crossing state lines no matter if exemt loads or not. You are NOT required to display your MC# it is tied to your DOT# so as long as DOT# is on truck you're coverd. I haul hazmat, so I display DOT MC LFCL and HAZMAT CO #s"

Technically not correct u can cross state lines with far loads on farm tags with nothing but a dot number and a trip permit
Replied on Sun, Jan 25, 2026 at 07:52 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I have hauled exempt products for 40 plus years only a Dot number if you are not for hire farm or ranch running farm tags you need nothing when you cross a star line you must have DOT # whether it is for hire or not for hire Now if you load exempt livestock and go to texas and unload you are fine if you are for hire and pickup in texas you must have MC # or if you want to stay exempt you get a Texas Dot from state you can get by without it untill you don’t but eventually the right guy will give you a ticket you cannot get an over weight permit in Texas without texas Dot or M C # some other state don’t care but of course all want IFTA SO YOU CANSTAY IN YOUR OWN STATE WITH NOTHING NOT FOR HIRE CROSS STATE LINE NEED DOT PICKING UP IN OTHER STATES WITH NO MC VARIES STATE TO STATE TEXAS REQUIRES TXDOT IF NO MC TO PICKUP IN STATE BELIEVE ME I HAVE BEEN STOPPED MANY TIMES IN 40 years
Replied on Sun, Jan 25, 2026 at 07:52 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
They did away with MC numbers in October 2025
Replied on Tue, Feb 03, 2026 at 07:57 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "Technically not correct u can cross state lines with far loads on farm tags with nothing but a dot number and a trip permit"

You cannot haul products with farm plates on any vehicle unless you can prove they are yours alone. Farm plates are not for hire
Replied on Wed, Feb 04, 2026 at 07:58 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
you can be exempt not for hire or exempt for hire it is right on the mcs150 you are required to file biannually
Replied on Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 08:03 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "They did away with MC numbers in October 2025"

Except, as I said, I received my new MC (and DOT) numbers in 2026.