No statutory change
The BOC-3 process-agent designation under 49 CFR Part 366 has not changed substantively in 2026. A motor carrier or freight forwarder still designates either a single in-state agent for each state of operation, or a blanket process agent (most common) under §366.4 to receive legal service.
Filing is electronic via FMCSA Licensing & Insurance (L&I) at fmcsa.dot.gov. The carrier never files BOC-3 directly - only the agent (or an authorized vendor) submits the OP-1 BOC-3 attachment.
What did change
FMCSA refreshed the L&I portal interface in March 2026. The new BOC-3 status page has a clearer "Filed / Designated / Active" status indicator with the agent's state coverage list. Functionally the system is identical; the visual change is the only update.
Three states (Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee) updated registered-agent service addresses for state-side process service. Most blanket BOC-3 vendors automatically update their address files; carriers who designated a state-specific agent in any of those three states should confirm their agent's address is 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, your BOC-3 must be re-filed under the new name. The agent files under your new name.