When selecting a process agent, you must look for a trained and professional team of individuals. Also, make sure that a process agent has relevant experience and expertise in dealing with trucking companies and freight forwarders. You have to pay a fee to hire a process agent; however, look for one that does not charge an additional fee for particular services. It takes about three to four business days for the FMCSA to process and issue you the operating authority. If you have filed the form correctly, you will receive the operating authority within this time frame. Check with the FMCSA if there is any delay in the issuance of the operation authority.
A process agent is a representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Before that time, only for-hire carriers are required to designate a process agent. Brokers are required to list process agents in each state in which they have an office and in which they write contracts. FMCSA Regulation 49 CFR Part 366 details more about the Designation of Process Agents by Motor Carriers and Brokers. On January 17, 2017, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice with more details on the suspension of the URS effectiveness date. BOC-3 filing is crucial for trucking companies as it establishes a legal presence in each state.
- Once your trucking company is operating you regularly need to renew those documents to stay compliant.
- A process agent is a legal representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.
- This has to be done before your MC Number becomes active or else your number will be dismissed.
BOC-3 process agents are representatives authorized to receive government and legal documents on behalf of motor carriers hauling loads from state to state. When choosing the right process agent service company to represent your trucking company, make sure they are FMCSA-certified or your operating authority may be in jeopardy. The BOC-3 filing is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-required process of starting a trucking company and getting active operating authority. Additionally, the BOC-3 filing allows motor carriers to find trusted process agents to receive government papers on their behalf if any legal action against the trucking company. The BOC-3 form is a FMCSA requirement for interstate for-hire transportation companies.
What is a BOC-3?
Ensure the process agent is registered and familiar with each state’s requirements. A Blanket of Coverage form is a required filing needed to get operating authority. What a BOC-3 form does is assign process agents in each state that can accept legal documents on your behalf.
FMCSA Registration Information
These processing agencies are designed to help trucking authorities navigate through their legal documents and assist when needed. The filing fee can be as low as $25 whereas some operating state fees can be around $100. This is highly dependent on the number of states you operate in and the processing agency you choose. Depending on the processing agency that you choose, the cost of filing a BOC-3 Form can fluctuate. Additionally, some processing agencies provide discounted prices for trucking authorities that operate in fewer than five states. Additionally, if your trucking authority changed its name, had a transfer of authority, or reinstatement of MC operating authority, you are required to refile the BOC-3 Form with this updated information.
The cost for ATA to file your BOC-3 form is $55 per year for non-members of ATA. Members can login and purchase this order at zero cost because it is part of your member benefits.What happens after I pay and complete the BOC-3 form through the ATA Online Store? Please remember that before the form can be filed, all of the information on the first page must match what is registered with the FMCSA.
If you’re unsure if your authority has been revoked, contact us and we can help you determine your operating status. At Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings, appointing and registering your BOC-3 agent costs you only $95, and we help guide you through every step with the help of our Live Agent services. We take https://forexhero.info/ care of the paperwork so you can keep your trucking business on the road! And, if you need more tips, don’t forget to check out our podcast Haulin Assets, where we started our own trucking company and walk you through it step by step. If you need a processing agent, you can have us file it for you for just $60.
What are BOC-3 services and why do trucking companies need them?
Unless you are a broker or freight forwarder, you need to designate a processing agent to file this for you. Just like when filing insurance, you’ll talk to your chosen processing agent who will then fill out and submit the appropriate paperwork. This has to be done before your MC Number becomes active or else your number will be dismissed. In certain instances — such as a name change, transfer of authority, or reinstatement of your motor carrier operating authority — your BOC-3 may need to be refiled. Appointing a blanket agent can help consolidate your company’s FMCSA obligations. The agent acts as your BOC-3 blanket process agent in each jurisdiction in which you operate.
The BOC-3 designates a person or an office to accept any legal papers on your behalf. You’re required to have a designated person or office for each state you operate in before certain federal operating authorities can be granted. You must have a physical address where services of process can be received during regular business hours. You can submit the form electronically through the FMCSA’s official website.
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Unlike filing your motor carrier authority, which can be done yourself, the BOC-3 can only be filed by a process agent designated by the carrier. However, a broker or freight forwarder (a company that won’t often be on the road) can file one for themselves if they won’t be on the road like a regular motor carrier. Once designated, the process agent is authorized to receive and forward service of process and other court or legal cm trading broker review documents on behalf of your company in the state(s) in which the agent is designated. A BOC-3 filing is often required before a transportation or logistics company is granted authority to operate. BOC-3 filing, or the Blanket of Coverage filing, is a requirement imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States. It is mandatory for all trucking companies operating in interstate commerce.
A BOC Filing is also required in order to reinstate an MC or FF number that has been revoked. By choosing our BOC-3 filing services, you can benefit from our expertise and experience in handling the necessary paperwork and documentation. We will assist you in selecting qualified process agents, completing the BOC-3 form accurately, and ensuring all requirements are met.
They also file hundreds of BOC-3 forms, so they know exactly what is necessary. You need to have a BOC-3 designation of process agent in each state you operate in. That means that if you operate in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, you’ll need a BOC-3 agent in each state (so 4 BOC-3 agents in total).
The applicant should contact a process agent, who can file Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agents) with the FMCSA. Remember to research and select qualified process agents, obtain the latest version of the BOC-3 form, and accurately complete and file the form with the FMCSA. Keep your filing information current and promptly notify the FMCSA of any changes to your process agents. Form BOC-3 (Designation of Agents for Service of Process) gives motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders a legal presence in any state where they do business. Your BOC-3 process agents must also be available at that address during normal business hours (This is essentially the same as needing to have a registered agent in each state you operate in when you have an LLC). Any new transportation company must file a BOC-3 before they can start operating within the United States, whether they plan to operate as a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.
Once you have selected your process agents, you must obtain the BOC-3 form. The FMCSA provides this form, which anyone can download from their official website. It is essential to use the most up-to-date version of the form to avoid complications during the filing process. The FMCSA requires that a process agent files the BOC-3 on behalf of a motor carrier. Brokers and freight forwarders that do not operate any of their own commercial motor vehicles can file the Form BOC-3 on their own.
An SOP agent or process agent is essentially an individual or business organization appointed by your business who is authorized to receive legal documents on the principal’s behalf. A process agent must be physically located in each state in which you are authorized to operate and be available at that address during normal business hours. Only a process agent, on behalf of the applicant (carrier), can file Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agents) with the FMCSA. A broker or freight forwarder applicant, without CMVs, can file Form BOC-3 on their own behalf. It must include all states for which agency designations are required.