FMCSA revoked your authority — how to reinstate it

Why authorities get revoked

The number-one cause is an insurance lapse — the required BMC-91 filing dropped off your record and no replacement was filed in time. A missing or invalid BOC-3 process-agent filing and unpaid fees are also common.

Revocation is usually the end of a chain that started with a warning you could have caught earlier — which is exactly why watching your record matters.

What reinstatement involves

To reinstate, the cause has to be cured (continuous insurance on file, valid BOC-3, fees paid) and a reinstatement fee paid to FMCSA. Once everything's on file and processed, your authority returns to active.

There can be a waiting period and paperwork depending on how long it's been revoked — but for a recent revocation from an insurance lapse, it's often a matter of getting coverage refiled and paying the fee.

How to reinstate

1. 1

   Fix the cause first: get your insurer to file a current BMC-91, confirm your BOC-3 is valid, and clear any unpaid fees.

2. 2

   Pay FMCSA's reinstatement fee. (Confirm the current amount at the official source — fees change.)

3. 3

   Confirm your authority shows active again on your public record before you dispatch.

4. 4

   Set up monitoring so the next insurance filing gap warns you ~30 days out, not after the fact.

Fixing the cause (refiling insurance) is your insurer's job at no extra charge; the only unavoidable cost is FMCSA's reinstatement fee. Beware services that charge hundreds to "reinstate" what you can do yourself.

Related

• Your FMCSA insurance shows pending cancellation — here's what to do
• FMCSA shows you as not allowed to operate — what to do

Common questions

How much does it cost to reinstate revoked FMCSA authority?

The unavoidable cost is FMCSA's reinstatement fee (confirm the current amount at fmcsa.dot.gov — it changes). Fixing the cause, usually refiling insurance, is done by your insurer at no extra charge. You don't need a paid service that marks up the government fee.

How long does reinstatement take?

For a recent revocation from an insurance lapse, it can be quick once continuous coverage is refiled and the fee is paid. Longer-standing revocations may involve more paperwork and a waiting period.

How do I keep my authority from being revoked again?

The lapse that caused it is usually visible on your public FMCSA record ~30 days before revocation. Monitoring your record daily catches the pending cancellation while there's still time to fix it.