Form MCSA-5889, the Motor Carrier Records Change Form, is how holders of an MC, MX, or FF operating authority update their FMCSA records for a legal name change, an address change, or a reinstatement of revoked authority. Since September 30, 2025, the form must be filed electronically; FMCSA no longer accepts paper submissions by mail or fax.1Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Office of Registration
When the Form Applies
MCSA-5889 is for entities that hold operating authority, meaning an active MC, MX, or FF docket number. It covers three things: address updates, legal or DBA name changes, and reinstatements of revoked authority.2Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Form MCSA-5889 – Motor Carrier Records Change Form
If your company has only a USDOT number and no operating authority, this is the wrong form. Use the MCS-150 for a motor carrier, MCS-150B if you hold a hazmat permit, or MCS-150C for an intermodal equipment provider. Updating the USDOT record is free.3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Request a Name Change on My FMCSA Registration (USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority)
If you hold both a USDOT number and operating authority, a name or address change requires both forms: the MCS-150 for the USDOT record and the MCSA-5889 for the operating authority record. Filing only one leaves the two records out of sync.3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Request a Name Change on My FMCSA Registration (USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority)
Filling Out the Form Section by Section
The form has four sections. Complete only the sections that apply to your change and leave the rest blank.
Section A: Current Identification
Every filing starts here. Enter your USDOT number, docket/MC number, and (if applicable) your MX or FF number exactly as they appear in FMCSA’s system. These fields are required. Verify them against your original registration or your company snapshot in SAFER before submitting.4Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Motor Carrier Records Change Form
Section B: Address Changes
Section B updates your physical street address, your mailing address, or both. Separate fields handle each, so complete both columns if they differ. There is no fee for an address-only change. FMCSA also accepts address changes submitted directly through the Ask FMCSA web form at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov, without the PDF at all.4Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Motor Carrier Records Change Form
Section C: Name Changes
Section C handles legal name changes and DBA updates. You select the type of change that applies, such as a change to an existing corporation, a new incorporation, or, for MX carriers, an update tied to your Tarjeta de Circulación. Each option requires supporting documentation.4Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Motor Carrier Records Change Form
Section D: Reinstatements
Section D is for restoring operating authority that was revoked, for example after a lapse in insurance or BOC-3 filing. Two limits apply: you cannot use it to reinstate authority revoked because FMCSA declared you an imminent hazard or because you received a final unsatisfactory safety rating. Your USDOT number must also be active. If it has been deactivated, file an MCS-150 first to bring it current before requesting reinstatement.5Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Reinstate My Operating Authority (MC/FF/MX Number)
Documentation for a Name Change
A name change has to be proved at the state level. What you attach depends on your business structure:
- Corporations: a Certificate of Amendment, Amended Articles of Incorporation, or, if your state does not issue amendments, the new Articles of Incorporation. The document should show both the old and new company names.3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Request a Name Change on My FMCSA Registration (USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority)
- LLCs: an amended Certificate of Organization or Articles of Organization from your Secretary of State, showing the effective date and official seal or signature.4Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Motor Carrier Records Change Form
- MX carriers: a copy of your Tarjeta de Circulación.4Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Motor Carrier Records Change Form
Documents must be state-issued originals or certified copies. Internal corporate resolutions do not qualify, and illegible paperwork is one of the more common reasons filings get rejected at review.
Fees
Fees apply per authority type:
- Name change: $14 per operating authority. If you hold both MC and FF authority, that is $14 for each, for $28 total.6Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Get Operating Authority (Docket Number)
- Reinstatement: $80.5Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Reinstate My Operating Authority (MC/FF/MX Number)
- Address change: no fee.
Pending authority applications are exempt from the $14 name-change fee.3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Request a Name Change on My FMCSA Registration (USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority) Fees are non-refundable whether the request is approved or denied, so make sure your documentation is complete before you pay.
How To Submit
Paper submissions are no longer accepted. All filings go through electronic channels:
- FMCSA Portal: reinstatements can be submitted directly through your Portal account.5Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Reinstate My Operating Authority (MC/FF/MX Number)
- Ask FMCSA: for name changes, address changes, and paper-form reinstatements, upload your completed MCSA-5889 and supporting documents at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov. You receive a confirmation number by email.7Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Updating Your Registration or Authority
Pay any applicable fees electronically during submission. FMCSA accepts credit cards and electronic check transfers.
After an Approved Name Change: The 30-Day Follow-Up
For name changes, processing the MCSA-5889 is only the first step. Once FMCSA issues the re-entitlement letter confirming the new name on your operating authority, a 30-day clock starts. Within that window you must file an amended BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agents) and updated proof of insurance reflecting the new legal name. Missing the deadline puts your operating authority at risk of revocation.3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. How Do I Request a Name Change on My FMCSA Registration (USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority)
Contact your insurance provider and your process agent company as soon as you submit the MCSA-5889 so the amended filings are ready when the letter arrives.
Processing Time and Confirming the Update
FMCSA processes requests in the order received. The agency’s registration forms page cites a minimum of eight business days for review and processing.8Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Registration Forms Actual turnaround varies with volume and any follow-up on documentation.
To confirm the change has taken effect, look up your USDOT number on the SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The updated name or address will appear in your company snapshot once finalized.9Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System
Consequences of Leaving Records Out of Date
FMCSA expects regulated entities to update their USDOT and operating authority records in a timely manner when a legal name, address, or other detail changes.7Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Updating Your Registration or Authority The agency does not publish a specific day count for reporting a change, but stale records mean missed correspondence, which can in turn mean missed biennial-update or insurance-renewal deadlines.
Failure to complete a required biennial update can lead to deactivation of your USDOT number and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, capped at $10,000.7Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Updating Your Registration or Authority A deactivated USDOT number also blocks a reinstatement request through MCSA-5889, since the USDOT record has to be active before FMCSA will restore operating authority.