Your Freight Broker Bond Is Issued. What's Next?
Use this checklist to review your FMCSA registration, confirm required filings, and identify anything still pending before you begin arranging freight.
Reminder: Receiving your bond does not automatically activate your broker authority. Confirm your broker authority is active before arranging freight.
Have these ready
This is a public reference guide. Confirm your filings and authority directly with FMCSA.
Confirm your Motus access
Motus is FMCSA's registration system for managing your company information, registrations, and filings. The company official responsible for the registration should confirm they have access to the correct company record before proceeding.
First-time users should follow FMCSA's Login.gov, profile, and identity-verification instructions. If your company already has a USDOT record, follow the instructions for claiming that existing record — receiving a new bond is not a reason to apply for a duplicate registration.
Watch FMCSA Motus Tutorials: FMCSA Motus Video Library
Confirm your bond filing
The surety or authorized financial-responsibility filer submits the BMC-84 filing to FMCSA on your behalf. Receiving the bond document is not the same as confirming the federal filing is on record.
Confirm that the BMC-84 filing appears on the correct FMCSA record, that the business information matches, and that the effective date is appropriate. If anything is missing or incorrect, contact our agency or the issuing surety.
BMC-84 vs. BMC-85
A BMC-84 is a surety bond; a BMC-85 is a trust fund agreement. Both address the applicable $75,000 financial-security requirement for freight brokers, but they are different products. Confirm which applies to your situation.
Confirm your BOC-3 filing
A BOC-3 filing designates process agents — individuals or entities authorized to receive legal documents on behalf of your business in each state where your brokerage maintains offices or writes contracts. It is a separate requirement from the bond and must be on file with FMCSA.
Confirm the BOC-3 filing is on record with FMCSA. If it is missing, contact your process-agent provider or our agency for assistance.
FMCSA Process-Agent InformationConfirm your broker authority is active
Review your broker registration and authority status directly through FMCSA using Motus. Use FMCSA support when you need clarification on your specific record.
Important: An assigned number, an "Active" USDOT record, a payment receipt, or a bond document alone does not establish active broker authority. Confirm your authority status directly through FMCSA before arranging freight.
Resolve anything still pending
If any filing is missing, incorrect, or your authority status is unclear, contact FMCSA directly. They can confirm what is on record and what action, if any, is still required.
FMCSA Contact Information
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern · Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern
Official FMCSA Contact and Online SupportQuestions you can ask FMCSA:
- Is my BMC-84 bond filing on record and effective?
- Is my BOC-3 filing on record?
- Is my broker authority active?
- If something remains pending, what action is required and who must complete it?
Keeping Your Broker or Forwarder Authority in Good Standing
Your responsibilities continue after your bond or trust filing is issued. Review FMCSA's financial-security requirements, notification procedures, and rules that can affect your operating authority.
Review Official FMCSA Financial Responsibility RulesOpens fmcsa.dot.gov in a new tab. Requirements effective January 16, 2026 are already in effect.
Your Bond and Your Brokerage Insurance Serve Different Purposes
The BMC-84 surety bond addresses the federal financial-security requirement for freight brokers. It is not a liability insurance policy and does not replace commercial insurance coverage.
Contingent auto liability and contingent cargo are separate coverage considerations for freight brokers. They are not included automatically in the surety bond and are not substitutes for it. Your coverage needs may also depend on customer contracts and the nature of your brokerage operations.
Insurance Professionals, LLC is an independent agency. We can review available commercial insurance options with you, subject to underwriting and policy terms.
Request a Coverage ReviewQuestions About Your Bond or Registration?
Insurance Professionals, LLC is an independent agency. We can help with bond inquiries and connect you with compliance assistance resources.
This guide was prepared by Insurance Professionals, LLC, an independent insurance agency. Content was reviewed against official FMCSA sources in September 2026. FMCSA determines registration and authority status — this guide does not verify any individual's filings or authority. Official links point to U.S. government websites operated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. For current requirements, consult FMCSA directly.