States

Massachusetts Trucking Compliance

Every federal filing Massachusetts motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders need - with Massachusetts-specific context, deadlines, and DOT office info.

Registered carriers

7,500+

DOT office

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Phone

(857) 368-4636

FMCSA region

FMCSA Eastern Service Center

Massachusetts is home to 7,500+ registered motor carriers running freight through major corridors like I-90 and I-95. Freight hubs in the state - Port of Boston and Worcester Distribution, plus Springfield Logistics - drive a compliance burden that touches every carrier operating in or through Massachusetts: federal filings through FMCSA and IRS, plus Massachusetts-specific surcharges. Massachusetts State Police commercial enforcement is heaviest on I-90 (Mass Pike) and I-95. The Weston barrier on the Mass Pike is a regular Level I-III inspection point. The Port of Boston handles container and breakbulk freight, and the Logan air-cargo complex adds high-volume time-sensitive freight to the state's carrier base.

Sizing up the market? See monthly Massachusetts carrier data - new USDOT registrations, top cities, and fleet mix.

Filings Massachusetts carriers need

BOC-3 Filing

$75 flat (lifetime)

A BOC-3 designates a process agent in every US state so the FMCSA has a local point for service of legal process on your operating authority.

USDOT & MC Authority

Paused

A USDOT number is the FMCSA safety identifier every commercial motor vehicle operator needs; MC operating authority is the for-hire interstate license that lets you legally haul freight for compensation.

UCR Registration

$90 first year, Bracket A ($55 federal fee + $35 service)

UCR is the annual federal fee that every interstate motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder pays through their base state to fund safety and economic enforcement programs.

MCS-150 Update

Paused

The MCS-150 is FMCSA's biennial check-in form for every USDOT holder - fleet size, driver count, operational mileage, and safety contact information.

Form 2290 (HVUT)

From $115 per return

Form 2290 is the federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) return for trucks 55,000 lbs taxable gross weight or higher. Filing produces the stamped Schedule 1 - proof of payment that state DMVs require for truck registration renewal.

State Trucking Permits

From $75 (varies by program)

State trucking permits cover any state-specific authorization, weight-distance tax, or commercial surcharge that stacks on top of federal UCR, MCS-150, and Form 2290 - required when operating commercial vehicles on a particular state's highways.

Driver Screening

From $40 (MVR only); full pre-hire pack $100

Driver screening combines the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), CDLIS query, Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, and FMCSA Clearinghouse query - the core pre-hire checks for a commercial driver position.

Authority Reinstatement

$275 flat

Authority reinstatement restores a revoked or inactive MC operating authority once the underlying cause, such as lapsed insurance, a missing BOC-3 or an unpaid civil penalty, is cleared.

Massachusetts state-level surcharge

On top of federal UCR, MCS-150, and Form 2290.

MA DPU certificate for intrastate-only for-hire carriers; Mass Pike requires E-ZPass for commercial vehicles

Massachusetts-specific programs to know

  • 1MA DPU (Department of Public Utilities) certificate - required for MA-based carriers operating purely intrastate
  • 2Interstate carriers based in MA generally skip the DPU but must present federal MC authority on demand
  • 3Massachusetts Turnpike requires EZPass transponder for commercial vehicles (no cash lanes)

Intrastate-only requirement

Massachusetts DPU Certificate

Applies to: For-hire motor carriers operating purely intrastate within Massachusetts.

How: File application with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (transportation oversight division). Includes background check, insurance verification, and vehicle listing. Annual maintenance fee.

Massachusetts enforcement profile

What inspectors flag, where, and how often.

Massachusetts State Police commercial enforcement is concentrated on I-90 (Mass Pike) and I-95. The Weston Tolls barrier area regularly runs DOT Level I-III inspections on commercial traffic. MA is tougher than most NE states on brake violations and driver medical-card expirations. Intrastate-only operations need a DPU certificate.

Massachusetts freight hubs

  • Port of Boston
  • Worcester Distribution
  • Springfield Logistics

Major Massachusetts corridors

I-90I-95I-93I-91

Nearby states

Free tools

Check any Massachusetts carrier in one click

Look up FMCSA status, MC docket, fleet size, and out-of-service flags for any USDOT - free, no signup.

Need to file?

Skip the calculator. File now.

Every requirement on your list can be filed for you through the matching Fast Filing Group service. Flat prices, shown before checkout.

BOC-3 FilingFastBOC3Filing$75
UCR RegistrationFastUCRFilingFrom $90
MC AuthorityFastTruckAuthorityPaused
MCS-150 UpdateFastMCS150FilingPaused
Form 2290Fast2290FilingFrom $115
ReinstatementFastReinstatementFilingFrom $275

All services by Fast Trucking Compliance — Fast Filing Group LLC