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File Your BOC-3 Form For the FMCSA

How To Get Your BOC-3 Filing Done With Us

Step 1

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Submit your company information with payment and we’ll take care of the rest.

Step 2

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With special access to the FMCSA database, Royalty Speed files your BOC-3 form electronically.

Step 3

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Upon completion you’ll receive a copy of your form in a confirmation email that your BOC-3 has been filed.

Benefits of Filing Your BOC-3 With Royalty Speed

green  Nationwide Coverage

You’ll have a process agent in all 50 States including DC.


green  Same-Day Filing

BOC-3 forms are filed within an hour of your payment.


green  Free Re-Filings

Name and address changes are filed at no extra cost.


green  No Need to Renew

Royalty Speed will ensure that your BOC-3 Filing is up to date every year.


green  Retrieve Lost Documents

Contact our team at any time to receive additional copies of your BOC-3 if needed.


green  Based in the U.S.

Royalty Speed provides quick, reliable live agents to support your business.


green  No Hidden Fees

No additional cost if served in any state. Most companies charge you on the back end, but Royalty Speed will not.

 

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General Information: Designation Of Agents For Service Of Process

If you own a commercial truck fleet, you already know what a struggle it can be to ensure each vehicle is operating legally on the road. There are many rules and regulations that commercial trucks are subject to that non-commercial vehicles are not. Although this presents red tape for the transport industry, it is done so to improve road safety and ensure legal practice in the logistics industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for this task. One way that they ensure motor carriers, freight brokers, and freight forwarders are operating legally on the interstate is through the BOC-3 form. This document allows the FMCSA to grant operating authority by confirming the designation of process agents nationwide.

What is a BOC-3?

The acronym “BOC” refers to the blanket of coverage, and this document shows that your authority to operate on the interstate is covered in all 50 states. The term ‘coverage’ means that a company has a designated individual to receive and deliver legal documents on their behalf – in this sense, they are legally covered. According to FMCSA instructions, “An agent must be designated for each state in or through which the carrier, broker, or freight forwarder operates…” therefore, the purpose of this form is to communicate to the FMCSA that you have a designated process agent in each state that will cover your legal authority to operate. Only one document can be on file, and it must be done correctly – all businesses that need operating authority must follow this rule. BOC-3s are the formal designation of agents for service of process that allows the FMCSA to grant businesses their operating authority.  

guy handing women notice of initial legal action
Service of process

Why do you need a BOC-3 Form?

The reason it is necessary is because it provides the FMCSA with the name(s) and address(es) of the process agent who receives legal documents on your behalf and bears the responsibility of delivering them to you. Businesses involved in transport using the interstate must file BOC-3 forms in order to operate in compliance with the law. You need this form to obtain operating authority for your entire commercial fleet of trucks, including truckers for hire, freight forwarders, and freight brokers. Otherwise, you cannot legally use the interstates to move your freight. “Failure to file a designation in accordance with this [law] will result in deactivation of the carrier’s USDOT Number…” these forms are not optional and play an important role in your business’s relationship with federal regulators. At a glance, this method streamlines the system for the FMCSA to hold operators accountable to federal regulation by designating who and where their legal liaisons are.

What is a BOC-3 process agent?

These individuals are essentially the liaison between the federal agency and the company with operating authority. If you are a carrier, you must use an authorized process agent to file the BOC-3 on your behalf. Freight forwarders and freight brokers who do not use commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) can file on their own behalf however, this is very difficult as the forwarder or broker would need to designate an agent for each state they operate in. A blanket agency would do that work for you and cover you nationwide, this is why it is much simpler to file through them. The process agents employed by a blanket agency act as a representative of the company before the FMCSA, and the “process agents must reside in or maintain an office in the state for which they are designated.” Their primary role is to receive legal notices (service of process) on behalf of their client. For example, if a court case is brought upon a company involved in interstate transportation, its process agent will be accountable for accepting and delivering the associated legal documents. The BOC-3 form indicates to the FMCSA who the responsible individual is for each state you operate in.

How to Find a Good BOC-3 Blanket Agent

Authorized blanket agents simplify the task of obtaining your operating authority. They will file on your behalf, and because of their field of coverage, they already cover every state in which you operate. You only need to file one form, and better yet, you are not required to choose a process agent that resides in the same state as your headquarters.

Here are a few things to look for when vetting a blanket agent to get your BOC-3 on file with the FMCSA:

  • Cost – Each company charges different fees, so be sure to find what the total cost is upfront. Some agents will charge a flat fee, but hit you with exorbitant rates when called upon to deliver legal documents. Some companies even attach hidden fees that drive up the price. Royalty Speed charges no hidden fees, but rather an annual fee of $59.00 and does not charge you additional rates when notifying you of legal action.
  • Presence – Blanket agencies should have process agents in every state to give you a higher level of service. Ensure that they provide this service to avoid future inconveniences and complications when securing your operating authority. Royalty Speed services all 50 states, including Washington, D.C.
  • Credibility –To determine which companies are authorized to file for you, note that the FMCSA requires companies to file an Application for Designation of Process Agent to obtain authority to designate their agents using the Form BOC-3. Royalty Speed is an authorized blanket company on the FMCSA’s process agent list.
  • Ongoing Service – Once your form is filed, the relationship should not end there. You should feel confident about contacting your servicer if you have questions.

Royalty Speed has taken the guesswork out of searching for a process agent. Our team has years of experience in the logistics industry and is determined to assist you in understanding your rights and obligations. When you partner with us, you can expect honest answers, timely responses, and a fair one-time service fee to help you stay legal on the road. We’ve made the requirement of BOC-3 filing more accessible and faster than ever, providing you coverage in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia.

Summary of how the BOC-3 process works

The FMCSA regulates the trucking industry and uses the blanket of coverage form to organize courses of legal action against businesses that use the interstates. To ensure the efficiency of this system, the FMCSA requires motor carriers, freight brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a process agent (a liaison on behalf of the company) that resides in each state involved in the company’s operation. The BOC-3 form is the designation of agents for service of process, and the authorized FMCSA agent will file the form on your behalf, as well as receive and deliver legal documents. Businesses cannot obtain their operating authority unless they file a BOC-3 form.

Commonly Asked Questions

Who needs a BOC-3 filing?

– Any business involved in interstate transportation.

Does a private carrier need a BOC-3?

– Yes, this would include private carriers because they offer transportation services across state lines.

What does ‘Service of Process’ mean?

– Service of process is a legal term that refers to how a party is notified of a suit filed against them. It is the method by which documents are delivered to a defendant as their notice of legal action.

When do you need to refile?

– Refiling is necessary if you are reinstating operating authority or changing your name. Depending on the company, they may charge you a name-change fee. Royalty Speed will not charge you an additional fee for a name change as a testament to our company’s adaptability to your needs.

How much does it cost?

– Royalty Speed can be your blanket agent for only $59.00 annually. We do not charge any hidden fees or additional costs; it keeps the transaction simple and straight to the point.

How long does it take to file Form BOC-3?

– The entire process of filing can be done in minutes, and Royalty Speed has made it easier than ever. We will cover your operating authority wherever you operate; your BOC-3 filing will be done correctly and on time. You can fill out our form online (located at the top of this page) and we’ll take care of everything for you.

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