FMCSA Filings Explained: MCS-90, BOC-3, and What Every Trucking Company Needs

Key takeaway: FMCSA filings are federal compliance documents tied to your authority, not optional paperwork. MCS-90 and BOC-3 do not provide coverage, but without them your trucking company can lose authority, face fines, or be shut down even if you are paying for insurance. This applies to new DOT holders, growing fleets, and established trucking operations alike.

FMCSA filings confuse more trucking companies than almost any other compliance requirement. Many fleet owners think these filings are insurance. Others assume once they are filed, they never matter again. Both assumptions cause expensive problems.

If you operate under federal authority, filings like MCS-90 and BOC-3 are mandatory. They exist to protect the public and the legal system, not your business. Understanding what they do and what they do not do is critical if you want to avoid authority suspensions, denied claims, and ugly surprises after a crash.

Let’s break it down cleanly.

What FMCSA filings actually are

FMCSA filings are electronic documents submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that prove a trucking company meets minimum federal requirements.

These filings are tied directly to your DOT number and operating authority. They are not optional, and they are not one-time paperwork.

Key point most fleets miss: FMCSA filings are compliance proof, not insurance coverage.

MCS-90 explained in plain English

What the MCS-90 does

The MCS-90 is a federal endorsement attached to a trucking insurance policy. It guarantees that an insurance company will pay injured members of the public if a trucking company causes bodily injury or property damage in interstate commerce.

In plain terms, it protects the public, not the trucking business.

What it accomplishes:

• Proves minimum financial responsibility to the FMCSA
• Allows operating authority to remain active
• Ensures third parties can be compensated after a serious crash

The FMCSA requires this filing to keep authority active. If it is canceled, your authority can be suspended even if you are still operating trucks.

What the MCS-90 does not do

This is where fleets get burned.

The MCS-90:

• Is not an insurance policy
• Does not expand your coverage
• Does not protect your equipment
• Does not guarantee your claim will be paid

If your insurance policy excludes the loss, the insurance company may still pay a third party under MCS-90, then legally demand reimbursement from your trucking company. That repayment can be financially devastating.

FMCSA guidance on financial responsibility requirements can be verified here.

BOC-3 explained

What BOC-3 actually is

BOC-3 stands for “Designation of Process Agents.” This filing tells courts and legal authorities who is authorized to receive legal papers on behalf of your trucking company in each state.

In short, it is how lawsuits find you.

Without an active BOC-3:

• You cannot activate operating authority
• You may miss legal notices
• Default judgments can be entered against your business

The filing itself is simple, but it must remain active at all times.

Why BOC-3 matters more than fleets think

If your process agent information is outdated or canceled, lawsuits can move forward without you knowing. That leads to default judgments that insurance may not be able to fix later.

FMCSA process agent requirements are outlined here.

Common FMCSA filing mistakes

These errors show up constantly in audits and claim disputes:

• Thinking filings equal coverage
• Letting filings cancel due to late payments
• Using cheap filing services with no insurance coordination
• Changing insurance without updating filings
• Not realizing filings terminate when policies cancel

FMCSA registration and authority status should be checked regularly using the SAFER system.

How filings connect to your insurance policy

FMCSA filings are only as strong as the policy behind them.

If your trucking insurance:

• Lapses
• Is written incorrectly
• Excludes your actual operations
• Is canceled for non-payment

Then your filings will cancel shortly after. That can shut down authority fast, sometimes without the fleet realizing it until roadside enforcement or a shipper flags it.

This is why filings must be coordinated through an insurance agency that understands trucking operations, not just filed cheaply online.

What happens when filings lapse or are wrong

When filings are canceled or incorrect, consequences stack quickly:

• Authority suspension
• Out-of-service orders
• Fines and penalties
• Claim denials
• Loss of contracts and brokers

FMCSA enforcement actions are not forgiving. Reinstatement takes time, money, and paperwork, and many fleets lose revenue every day authority is down.

FAQ

Is MCS-90 insurance coverage?
No. It is a federal endorsement protecting the public, not your trucking company.

Does BOC-3 ever expire?
It stays active unless canceled or invalidated by authority changes.

Can I file MCS-90 myself?
No. It must be filed by the insurance company issuing the policy.

What happens if my MCS-90 is canceled?
Your operating authority can be suspended even if trucks are still running.

Do intrastate trucking companies need these filings?
Requirements vary by state. Verify current rules with state authorities.

Are filings the same for owner-operators and fleets?
The filing requirements are similar, but policy structure matters.

How often should I check my FMCSA filings?
At least quarterly, and anytime insurance changes.

FMCSA filings are too important to guess at or outsource blindly. If you want to be sure your MCS-90, BOC-3, and insurance policy actually match your trucking operations and won’t collapse during a claim or audit, Valley Trucking Insurance can review your authority, filings, and coverage structure before problems show up.