Authority Types: Carrier, Broker, Forwarder, HHG

There is no single "operating authority." The FMCSA issues four distinct types - motor carrier (MC), property broker (MC-B), freight forwarder (MC-FF), and household-goods (HHG) - and the file structure, financial-responsibility filings, and audit triggers differ across all four.

A motor carrier hauls freight on its own equipment under its own authority. The MC application is OP-1, the financial-responsibility filing is BMC-91 vehicle liability ($750K-$5M depending on commodity), and the BOC-3 is required for process-agent service.

A freight broker arranges the movement of freight without taking custody. The application is OP-1, the financial-responsibility filing is the BMC-84/85 $75K broker bond/trust, and the BOC-3 sits alongside.

A freight forwarder combines elements of carrier and broker - handles freight, may take custody, and brokers some movements. The application is OP-1(FF) with both BMC-91 (when carrier-equivalent) and BMC-84/85 elements.

Household-goods movers are a separate FMCSA category - interstate moves of personal effects require OP-1 plus FMCSA arbitration program participation, written estimate compliance under 49 CFR Part 375, and the standard HHG bond requirements.

The entity-type cluster below walks each authority type, what gets filed, what gets audited, and how the audit + insurance + bond compliance differs across the four.