Form OP-1(P) at a glance
What it is: Form OP-1(P) is the Application for Motor Passenger Carrier Authority of the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Where to get it: Go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/registration-forms to complete the appropriate form(s) and instructions. Follow the instructions to complete the application form(s).
This application is for all businesses requesting Operating Authority as motor passenger carriers.
All Passenger Carrier applicants must complete Section 1, Applicant Information, Section 2, Insurance Information, Section 3, Safety Certification, Section 4, Compliance Certification, Section 5, Government Funding Status, and Section 6, Scope of Operating Authority.
What to bring and attach to Form OP-1(P)
For applications that will be mailed, print clearly in ink or type all information. If more space is needed to complete any section on the application form, attach a separate sheet of paper and label each page with the applicant's legal business name, section number on the form, and item description. Retain a copy of the completed application form and any supporting attachments for the company's business records.
A filled-in Form OP-1(P) example: a new charter van corporation applies
How to fill out Form OP-1(P), box by box
Items 1 to 3: FMCSA Authority, Legal Business Name and Doing Business As Name
Select the Yes response if either of the following conditions is true: Operating Authority was previously issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carrier Safety, or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); or an application for Operating Authority is currently being processed by FMCSA. If neither of the conditions applies, select the No response.
If the Yes response is selected, indicate the MC/FF Number (for example: MC-999999), which is also called the lead docket number.
Leave this item blank unless the Doing Business As (DBA) name or Trade name is different from the Legal Business Name.
Items 4 to 15: Principal Place of Business and Mailing Address
Enter the physical address of where the company is engaged in business operations related to the transportation of persons and where safety records are regularly maintained.
A P.O. Box may not be entered as the Principal Address on the OP-1(P) form.
Enter the mailing address where all correspondence from FMCSA should be sent. Leave this item blank if the Mailing Address is the same as the Business Address. The mailing address may be a P.O. Box.
USDOT Number and Form of Business (24 to 27)
Enter the USDOT Number if one has been assigned.
Select only one category and provide the requested information. Corporation: Provide the name of the State where the corporation is incorporated. Sole Proprietorship/Individual: Provide the full legal name of the individual who is the business owner. Partnership: Provide the full legal name of each partner.
Section 2: Insurance Information (28)
Select only one response. All motor passenger carrier applicants must maintain public liability insurance. The amounts in parentheses represent the minimum amount of coverage required.
$1,500,000 minimum liability coverage is required if all vehicles in the company fleet have a seating capacity of 15 passengers (including the driver) or fewer; $5,000,000 minimum liability coverage is required if any vehicles in the company fleet have a seating capacity of 16 passengers (including the driver) or more (checked October 19, 2026).
16 PASSENGERS OR MORE ($5,000,000)
15 PASSENGERS OR FEWER ONLY ($1,500,000)
Section 3: Safety Certification (29 and 30)
Select only one response. If you will operate vehicles of more than 10,001 pounds GVWR and are, thus, subject to pertinent portions of the USDOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) at 49 CFR, Chapter 3, Subchapter B (Parts 350-399), you must certify as follows: Applicant has access to and is familiar with all applicable USDOT regulations relating to the safe operation of commercial vehicles and the safe transportation of hazardous materials, and will comply with these regulations. Select the Yes response only if the applicant attests that all of the statements are true.
If you will operate only small vehicles (GVWR under 10,001 pounds) and will not transport hazardous materials, you are exempt from FMCSRs, and must certify.
Section 4: Compliance Certification (31)
Read the statement and check Yes only if the statement is true: Applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide the proposed operations and to comply with all pertinent statutory and regulatory requirements, including USDOT's Americans with Disabilities Act regulations for over-the-road bus companies located at 49 CFR Part 37, Subpart H, if applicable.
Section 5: Government Funding Status (32)
Select only one response. Applicants that currently receive, or have received in the past, governmental financial assistance for the acquisition or operation of a bus must indicate their funding status by selecting either the Public recipient or Private recipient response. Applicants that do not receive any government funding or use equipment acquired with governmental financial assistance should select the Non-recipient response.
Under the fitness only criteria, no additional evidence is needed from applicants that do not receive government financial assistance.
Section 6: Scope of Operating Authority (33 to 37)
Check all boxes that apply.
Box 33: Charter and special transportation, in interstate or foreign commerce, between points in the United States.
Box 34: Charter and special transportation, between points in the United States, provided by United States-based enterprises owned or controlled by persons of Mexico.
Box 35: Service over regular routes.
Section 7: Affiliations (38)
If you have or have had any relationship with any other FMCSA-regulated entity (including entities licensed by the FHWA, OMCS, or ICC) within the past 3 years (for example, a percentage of stock ownership, a loan, or a management position), then check the Yes button and provide the name of the company, MC/FF Number, USDOT Number, and that company's latest DOT safety rating. If you require more space, then use the Attach File button to attach the information to this application form.
Section 8: Applicant's Oath (39)
Type or print the name and title of an individual authorized to sign documents on behalf of the company that is applying for Operating Authority. The authorized individual is, in the case of a sole proprietorship, the owner; in the case of a partnership, an official partner; in the case of a corporation, an authorized officer; or an individual with power of attorney to act on behalf of the applicant (proof of the power of attorney must be submitted with the application).
This oath applies to all supplemental filings to this application. I verify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the United States of America, that all information supplied on this form or relating to this application is true and correct. Further, I certify that I am qualified and authorized to file this application.
The signature must be that of the applicant, not a legal representative. Print name in the first blank space. If this application is not signed and dated by an authorized individual, the application will be rejected and Interstate Operating Authority will NOT be issued.
Payment Instructions
FMCSA does not refund application fees. FMCSA regulations prevent giving applicants refunds for motor carrier operating authority. After the application, petition, or other document has been accepted for filing by the FMCSA, the filing fee will not be refunded, regardless of whether the application, petition, or other document is granted or approved, denied, rejected before docketing, dismissed or withdrawn.
FMCSA will waive the filing fee for the OP-1(P) Application for Motor Passenger Carrier Authority for Transit Benefit Operators who are grantees under 49 USC 5307, 5310, or 5311. The form has the Exempt per 49 USC 5307, 5310, or 5311 box.
THE OPERATING AUTHORITY REQUESTED IN THIS APPLICATION FORM REQUIRES A $300 PROCESSING FEE.
More rules for Form OP-1(P)
Although an MC or FF Number has been assigned by FMCSA, this does not represent Operating Authority. The company may not begin to operate until Operating Authority has been issued as evidenced by publication in the FMCSA Register and display of an ACTIVE operating authority registration status in FMCSA's Licensing and Insurance system.
Common questions about Form OP-1(P)
Is there a deadline?
A representative from either the home or branch office of an insurance company must file Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X on behalf of the applicant within 90 days of the date notice of the application for Operating Authority is published in the FMCSA Register.
Where do I file it?
Applications may be submitted online or mailed to FMCSA. Mail the completed application form(s) along with any supporting documents to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Room W65-206 Washington, DC 20590.
When is this form not the right one?
Carriers that operate solely within the State of Hawaii are not required to obtain Operating Authority.
Sources
[1] Form OP-1(P) (Rev 8/7/2025), Application for Motor Passenger Carrier Authority, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the Official source link on this page).