No statutory change
The BOC-3 process-agent designation under 49 CFR Part 366 has not changed substantively in 2026. A motor carrier or broker still designates either an in-state agent for each required state (49 CFR §366.4T), or a blanket process agent (most common) under §366.5T to receive legal service.
FMCSA took its legacy registration systems offline on May 14, 2026, and Motus opened to all registrants on May 19, 2026. BOC-3 filings are now submitted electronically in Motus by the process agent. Brokers and freight forwarders without trucks may file their own; motor carriers must use a process agent (FMCSA Form BOC-3 page).
What did change
You can check a carrier's registration status on FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot, which links to its licensing and insurance details, including BOC-3 status.
Blanket companies must designate agents for all 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, and a post office box is not acceptable as a process agent's address. Carriers who designated a state-specific agent should confirm that agent's address is still current.
Common BOC-3 mistakes carriers still make
The most common BOC-3 mistake is treating it as a renewal. BOC-3 is a one-time filing - once your blanket agent is on file, it stays until you change it. A "BOC-3 renewal" service is upselling you something that isn't required.
The second most common mistake is not updating BOC-3 after a name or USDOT change. If your carrier name on the FMCSA registration changes, have your process agent file an updated BOC-3 under the new name so the designation matches your registration.