Freight Broker Bond Cost — and the Full Cost of Broker Authority
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BMC-84 bond cost — what the surety charges you
Every property broker needs a $75,000 surety bond (Form BMC-84) or trust fund (Form BMC-85) in effect to hold federal authority. FMCSA will not register a broker until a surety bond or trust fund for the full limits is in effect (49 CFR 387.307(a)). For what the bond is and how it works, see our freight broker bond overview — here we stay on cost.
The $75,000 is a fixed federal amount. You do not deposit $75,000; you pay an annual premium, which is a percentage of that amount set by the surety carrier after it reviews your application. Because the bond amount is fixed, the only variable in the bond's cost is the premium rate, and that rate is driven mostly by personal credit — stronger credit means a lower percentage applied to the $75,000. The premium is not a deposit; it is the yearly cost of the surety standing behind your $75,000 obligation, and it renews each term you keep your authority. The figures below are estimates. The surety sets the final price.
| Credit tier | Estimated annual premium | Estimated rate |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (750+) | $938–$1,500 | ~1.25–2% |
| Good (680–749) | $1,500–$2,438 | ~2–3.25% |
| Fair (620–679) | $3,000–$6,000 | ~4–8% |
| Poor (below 620) | $6,000–$11,250 | ~8–15% |
As an example within these estimated tiers, a broker with strong credit might pay around $1,125 a year while a broker with weak credit might pay closer to $8,625 for the same $75,000 bond — again, an estimate, not a quote. BuySuretyBonds.com is a licensed insurance agency: we shop multiple surety carriers and bring back a quote. To model your own number, use the freight broker bond calculator.
A surety bond and a BMC-85 trust fund are two different ways to meet the same $75,000 requirement, and they cost very differently; our BMC-84 vs BMC-85 comparison breaks that down.
The application fee — what FMCSA charges you
To register, a first-time broker applies for a USDOT number and operating authority through FMCSA's registration system, Motus (91 FR 23144). The fee for property broker authority is $300 (49 CFR 360.3T(f)(1)). Motus records fee payment through Pay.gov for registration transactions where a fee applies.
We have not found a separate USDOT number fee on FMCSA's site; confirm with FMCSA. The $300 is the broker authority application fee, and it is paid at application.
The $10 service fee — charged to an insurance service account, not to you at filing
When your surety submits your accepted BMC-84, FMCSA charges a $10 service fee per accepted bond or instrument submitted in lieu of a broker surety bond (49 CFR 360.3T(f)(51)). It is charged to an insurance service account established by FMCSA (49 CFR 360.3T(a)(1)), not paid by the broker at filing. It is listed here because brokers see it referenced and wonder whether they owe it.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
The UCR plan covers brokers by statute (49 U.S.C. 14504a(a)). A broker's UCR base State is the State where it maintains its principal place of business, if that State participates in UCR; otherwise the broker may designate another State where it has an office (49 U.S.C. 14504a(a)(2)).
The UCR fee for a broker is $46 for registration years 2025–2026 (49 CFR 367.40) and $55 for registration year 2027 and later (49 CFR 367.50). Registration for 2027 opened October 1, 2026; confirm the amount for your registration year on plan.ucr.gov before you pay, and use the plan's "Do I need to Register?" wizard if you are unsure whether you must register at all.
BOC-3 process agent filing
A BOC-3 designates a process agent for each State in which your offices are located or in which contracts will be written (49 CFR 366.4T(b)). Blanket process agent companies set their own fees for this filing. We have not found a BOC-3 price on FMCSA's site; confirm the fee with the company you use. Our BOC-3 and process agent guide walks through how the filing works and who can file it.
The full picture, in order
| Line item | Who sets it | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| BMC-84 bond premium | Surety carrier | ~$938–$11,250/yr (estimate, by credit) |
| Broker authority application | FMCSA | $300 (paid at application) |
| BMC-84 service fee | FMCSA → insurance service account | $10 (not paid by you at filing) |
| UCR | UCR plan | $46 (2025–2026); $55 (2027+) |
| BOC-3 filing | Blanket process agent company | Set by the company; no FMCSA price found |
That covers the federal registration costs of getting broker authority. Other startup costs — things like software, office space, and any coverage tied to your specific operation — vary widely by business and are not set by FMCSA, so this page does not put a number on them. When people ask what it costs to "start a brokerage," these government line items are the part with fixed, citable answers; the rest depends on how you choose to run.
When each cost comes due
The costs do not all land at once. The $300 application fee is paid at application. After FMCSA publishes your application notice, financial responsibility is indicated by filing the BMC-84 (or BMC-85) within 20 days from the date the application notice is published (49 CFR 365.109T(a)(5)). Separately, FMCSA will not register the broker until the full $75,000 bond or trust fund is in effect (49 CFR 387.307(a)).
The bond premium is an annual cost that renews each term you keep your authority, and UCR is tied to each registration year. The $300 application fee is paid at application.
Eric keeps these line items on a checklist so none of them stalls an application mid-process.
For how the pieces fit into a schedule, see our new broker authority timeline. For the full registration walkthrough, see how to get broker authority.
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a freight broker surety bond?
An estimated $938 to $11,250 a year, depending mostly on personal credit. The $75,000 is the fixed federal bond amount; what you pay is an annual premium, a percentage of it, and the surety carrier sets the final price.
How much does a freight broker license cost?
$300 for the FMCSA property broker authority application (49 CFR 360.3T(f)(1)), plus the bond premium (estimated $938–$11,250/yr), UCR, and a BOC-3 filing. The $300 is paid at application.
How much do a DOT and MC number cost?
The $300 FMCSA application fee covers property broker operating authority, applied for through Motus. We have not found a separate USDOT number fee on FMCSA's site; confirm with FMCSA.
How much does a BOC-3 filing cost?
We have not found a BOC-3 price on FMCSA's site. Blanket process agent companies set their own fee, so the amount depends on the company you use. A BOC-3 designates a process agent for each State in which your offices are located or in which contracts will be written (49 CFR 366.4T(b)).
How much does it cost to start a freight brokerage?
The federal registration costs are the bond premium (estimated $938–$11,250/yr), the $300 application fee, UCR ($46 for registration years 2025–2026 and $55 for registration year 2027 and later; confirm on plan.ucr.gov), and a BOC-3 filing. Other startup costs vary by business and are not set by FMCSA.
What is the freight broker bond price with poor credit?
An estimated 8–15% of the $75,000 bond, or roughly $6,000–$11,250 a year in the poor-credit tier. This is an estimate; the surety carrier sets the final price after reviewing your full application.
Do I need insurance to get a broker MC number?
To register as a broker, FMCSA requires a $75,000 surety bond (Form BMC-84) or trust fund (Form BMC-85) in effect; it will not register the broker until one is, under 49 CFR § 387.307(a). FMCSA's broker rule (49 CFR § 387.307) requires the $75,000 bond or trust fund; it doesn't list insurance for brokers. Check FMCSA for any coverage tied to your specific operation.
Source: 49 CFR Part 387 (eCFR)
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Freight Broker Bonds by State
State-specific guidance for filing your $75,000 BMC-84 and securing FMCSA property broker authority.
Alaska Freight Broker Bond
BMC-84 cost & barge/AlCan rules
California Freight Broker Bond
BMC-84 filing for California property brokers
Texas Freight Broker Bond
Laredo & Gulf-corridor brokerage bonding
Washington Freight Broker Surety Bond
Pacific Northwest broker authority
Pennsylvania Broker Bond
Northeast freight broker BMC-84 filing
Arizona Freight Broker Bond
Southwest property broker bonding
Georgia Freight Broker Bond
Atlanta & Savannah-corridor BMC-84 filing
Montana Freight Broker Bond
BMC-84 requirements & cost for Montana brokers
Wyoming Freight Broker Bond
BMC-84 filing for Wyoming-registered brokers
Freight Broker Bond Resources
Freight broker bond guides
- Freight Broker Bond
- How to Get Freight Broker Authority
- BMC-84 Bond Renewal
- Reinstate a Suspended Freight Broker Bond
- BMC-84 vs BMC-85
- Auto Transport Broker Bond
- Household Goods Broker Bond
- Freight Broker Excess Bond
- Freight Forwarder Bond
- BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond Guide
- Freight Broker Bond Claims
- Dispatcher vs Freight Broker