When you see "Active" next to a carrier's Common Authority in their FMCSA record, that's a positive sign — but it's not the whole picture. Understanding what active authority actually means, and what to check beyond just the status, will make you a better carrier vetter.
What Does Active Authority Mean?
Active authority means that FMCSA has granted the carrier permission to transport goods for compensation in interstate commerce, and that permission is currently in good standing. The carrier has met the requirements for operating authority, including proper registration, insurance on file, and compliance with FMCSA regulations.
It is the legal authorization that separates a for-hire carrier from an unauthorized operator. Without active authority, a carrier cannot legally haul freight for hire across state lines.
What Does a Carrier Need to Maintain Active Authority?
To keep their authority active, a carrier must maintain:
- Insurance on file with FMCSA — minimum BI&PD coverage appropriate for their operation type
- Current BOC-3 filing — designation of process agents in each state
- Current MCS-150 registration — updated at least every two years
- Compliance with safety regulations — ongoing FMCSA compliance
What to Check Beyond Active Status
Active authority is necessary but not sufficient. Here's what else to verify:
Pending Revocations
Even if the status shows Active, check for any pending revocation notices. A pending revocation means authority is in the process of being taken away — the carrier could become inactive at any moment.
Pending Applications
Pending authority applications are normal for new carriers expanding their authority types. They indicate the carrier is actively growing — generally a neutral or positive sign.
How Long Has It Been Active?
Active for 5 years is very different from active for 2 weeks. Check the authority grant date. Carriers under 6 months old are higher risk regardless of status.
Insurance Status
Active authority with a pending insurance cancellation is a carrier in trouble. Always check that the insurance shown alongside the active authority is also current with no pending cancellation.
Types of Authority — Which One Matters?
A carrier can have multiple types of authority:
- Common Authority — most relevant for freight brokers. Allows the carrier to transport general freight for the public for hire.
- Broker Authority — allows acting as a freight broker. Relevant if you're verifying a broker.
- Contract Authority — allows transport under specific shipper contracts.
For standard freight brokerage, Common Authority is what you need to see as Active.
CarrierCheck shows Common Authority and Broker Authority status prominently at the top of every carrier result, color-coded green for active and red for inactive or none.
Bottom Line
Active authority is the baseline requirement for any for-hire carrier. But don't stop there — check for pending revocations, verify insurance is current, and look at how long they've been active. These three checks together give you a complete picture of a carrier's authorization status.