Contract Carrier

Definition

A contract carrier is a for-hire motor carrier that transports regulated commodities only under specific written contracts with named shippers. Authorized under 49 USC §13902 separately from common carriers. The contract requirement is enforced - FMCSA has revoked contract-carrier authority for carriers operating without bilateral written agreements. Most modern carriers file as common carriers because the operational flexibility is broader; the contract designation is reserved for dedicated-fleet relationships. Contract carriers face the same BOC-3, insurance, MCS-150, and UCR obligations as common carriers. The MC docket fee is $300, the same as common-carrier authority.