BOC-3: What is BOC-3 and how do you file it online?

For a complete approach to compliance, working with a dedicated DOT compliance company can ensure all your regulatory requirements are handled correctly from the start. The Apex Startup Program has a longtime trusted BOC-3 partnership with Service of Process Agents, Inc. (SPA). SPA has been providing qualified attorneys specialized in representing the trucking industry as resident agents since 1979. Service of Process Agents provides BOC-3 process agents in each state with 40 years of experience. Check to make sure your BOC-3 filing provider is on this list of certified providers by the FMCSA. Depending on the processing agency that you choose, the cost of filing a BOC-3 Form can fluctuate.

The Role of a Designated BOC-3 Process Agent

It’s one of those small but critical pieces of the compliance puzzle. Imagine one of your trucks is involved in a legal dust-up in a state hundreds of miles from your home office. Without a local representative, those documents could get lost in the mail or never reach you, leading to huge problems. When filling out this form, you will need to provide your personal information to the processing agency.

• Without a valid BOC-3, the FMCSA will not issue or activate the necessary operating authority, such as an MC number.
• If the BOC-3 is not filed within 90 days of applying for authority, your FMCSA application will be dismissed, and your fees may be forfeited.
• You will need your company’s legal name, mailing address, a person authorized to sign, and the name and street address of the process agent in each state.
• BOC-3 is a federal form for logistics companies and is a must-have document for truck drivers, motor carriers and freightliner forwarders.

Once an agreement is made, the third-party provider files the BOC-3 form with the FMCSA. This price is quite reasonable because any price lower than this may not include full nationwide coverage. Cheaper prices may also exclude several special features in filing the form. After submission, the FMCSA updates the registration within 24 to 48 hours. Retain a copy of the filed BOC-3 form at the company’s principal place of business for records. You can only act as your own process agent in the single state where your company is physically based.

Once the BOC-3 form has been filed electronically with the FMCSA (and any other requirements have been fulfilled), the FMCSA will issue authority. Normally, operating authority documents are sent out within 3-4 business days after authority has been granted. If 10 or more business days have passed since the grant date, and you have not yet received the operating authority document, you can contact the FMCSA.

We even include an Apex trusted partner we recommend for your BOC-3 filing needs. The filing fee can be as low as $25 Best travel stocks whereas some operating state fees can be around $100. This is highly dependent on the number of states you operate in and the processing agency you choose.

• Many professional process agents charge an annual fee with additional charges for each document handled while others charge a one-time BOC-3 filing fee.
• Retain a copy of the filed BOC-3 form at the company’s principal place of business for records.
• Maintaining BOC-3 compliance is an ongoing requirement for transportation entities.
• That communication breakdown could easily lead to a default judgment against you simply because you were never properly notified.
• A valid BOC-3 is essential for keeping your DOT number in good standing and supporting your legal authority to operate.

How Much Does it Cost to File a BOC-3 Form?

The BOC-3 form lists the name and address of the process agent in each state where the transportation entity operates. For motor carriers, the process agent must file the BOC-3 form electronically with the FMCSA. Brokers and freight forwarders without commercial vehicles may file the form themselves. BOC-3 is a federal form for logistics companies and is a must-have document for truck drivers, motor carriers and freightliner forwarders.

How to select the right process agent?

Updates or refiling are necessary in several situations, such as changes to the business name, address, or if a designated process agent changes. Promptly updating the BOC-3 is important to avoid suspension of operating authority or other compliance issues. Failure to maintain an up-to-date BOC-3 can lead to delays in operations or penalties. Many professional process agents charge an annual fee with additional charges for each document handled while others charge a one-time BOC-3 filing fee. Additional fees may also include address change fees and charges for expedited BOC-3 filing (often requested by companies looking to get their businesses up and running quickly).

Designating Your BOC-3 Process Agent

Our goal is to give you general information about the initial steps you need to complete before you start your activity in interstate logistics and transportation. Once you give your process agent the necessary info, they can usually file it electronically with the FMCSA almost instantly. Be wary of any service trying to roll this into a big, expensive package. It’s a low-cost filing, but it’s absolutely critical for getting your authority active. After your agent files the BOC-3, the confirmation usually pops up on the FMCSA’s public database almost instantly.

If more than 10 business days pass after your grant date, visit the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance website to verify your status. Appointing a blanket agent can help consolidate your company’s FMCSA obligations. The agent acts as your BOC-3 blanket process agent in each jurisdiction in which you operate. Sam Tucker is the founder of Carrier Risk Solutions, Inc., established in 2015, and has more than 20 years of experience in trucking risk and DOT compliance management.

He earned degrees in Finance/Risk Management and Economics from the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University. BOC-3 filing is an important step in becoming a trucking authority and is crucial when it comes to receiving legal documentation. These processing agencies are designed to help trucking authorities navigate through their legal documents and assist when needed. Once you choose your BOC-3 process agent, you must pay their fees and whatever else they require from you. Once you do so, they often file the form within a couple of business days. You must have a physical address where services of process can be received during regular business hours.

Blanket Agent vs. Individual Agents

It’s no surprise that nearly every interstate carrier wisely chooses a blanket agent. Can you imagine the administrative nightmare of trying to manage individual contacts in dozens of states? Using a blanket agent is the industry standard because it’s efficient, affordable, and guarantees you’re fully compliant with FMCSA rules right from the start. It’s all about peace of mind, knowing your legal bases are covered nationwide. Filing a fresh BOC-3 ensures that all your legal communication and official service of process are handled properly.

Any business that’s involved in interstate transportation needs to file this document. Using the BOC-3 form allows the public to reach you in case you get involved in legal proceedings. The FMCSA requires a BOC-3 filing to make sure every transportation company can legally receive service of process in every state in which they operate. Your BOC-3 form lists agency designations for every state, allowing court systems and federal agencies to know exactly where to send important legal papers. The BOC-3 Process Agent, or FMCSA agent, is a business or individual that you appoint to receive any legal documents on your behalf, such as legal summons or complaints. If you plan to operate your trucking business in more than one state, you must have a BOC-3 agent in every state that you plan to operate in.

This federal requirement ensures interstate motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders can be held accountable in legal proceedings across various states. Once designated, the BOC-3 Process Agent’s primary function is to receive legal documents on behalf of the motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. The agent must maintain a physical address in each designated state and be available during normal business hours to accept these papers. The BOC-3 filing is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-required process of starting a trucking company and getting active operating authority. Additionally, the BOC-3 filing allows motor carriers to find trusted process agents to receive government papers on their behalf if any legal action against the trucking company.