FMCSA Compliance
A Guide to Form OCE-46: Cancelling Your Broker Authority
This guide walks you through the FMCSA's Form OCE-46 for voluntarily revoking your freight broker operating authority.
Deciding to hang it up as a freight broker is a big step. Maybe you're retiring, changing careers, or just found it wasn't the right fit. Whatever the reason, you can't just walk away. The FMCSA needs to know you're officially closing your doors. That's where Form OCE-46 comes in.
Form OCE-46 is the official government paperwork you file to voluntarily revoke your operating authority. It’s a simple, one-page document, but you have to get it right. Filing it correctly gives you a clean break and prevents future headaches. Letting your authority get pulled for not having a bond looks bad and can cause problems if you ever want to get back in the game.
This guide will tell you exactly what the form is for, how to fill it out, and what to do after you submit it. We'll cover the common mistakes people make so you can avoid them. Let's get this done right.
What is Form OCE-46?
Form OCE-46 is officially called the "Request for Revocation of Authority". It's your way of telling the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that you are surrendering your MC number and shutting down your licensed brokerage. It is the only proper way to end your operations voluntarily.
There are two ways your authority can be revoked:
- Voluntary Revocation: This is what you do with Form OCE-46. You are in control and are choosing to end your authority. It's a clean, professional way to exit the business.
- Involuntary Revocation: This happens when the FMCSA pulls your authority because you failed to meet their requirements. The most common reason is a lapse in your BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund. This is a black mark on your record.
Using Form OCE-46 shows you are handling your business responsibly. It’s an administrative step, but an important one. It's the difference between closing a business chapter properly and just letting it fall apart.
Why You Might Need to Use Form OCE-46
There are plenty of good reasons why a broker would need to cancel their authority. It’s not always about failure. Sometimes, it’s about making a smart business move or just moving on to something new.
Here are some common situations where you'd file an OCE-46:
- Closing the Business: You're retiring, changing industries, or simply decided to shut down the brokerage for personal reasons. This is the most straightforward reason.
- Becoming a Freight Agent: If you decide to work as an agent under another brokerage's authority, you must cancel your own. You can't operate with your own MC number while also working as an agent for someone else. You have to choose one.
- Selling Your Company: When you sell a brokerage, the new owner usually needs to get their own operating authority. The old authority tied to you and your business entity gets cancelled.
- Changing Your Business Structure: If you started as a sole proprietor and are now forming an LLC or corporation, you will often need a new USDOT number and MC number. This means you have to apply for new authority under the new company and revoke the old authority tied to your sole proprietorship.
- It Wasn't a Good Fit: Some people get into brokering and find out it's not for them. There's no shame in that. Filing an OCE-46 is the right way to close that chapter and move on without leaving loose ends.
Steps to Fill Out Form OCE-46 Correctly
Filling out the form is not hard, but details matter. The information you provide must exactly match what the FMCSA has on file for you. Any mismatch will get your form rejected, and you'll have to start over.
First, you need the form. You can find the latest version on the FMCSA's website. Search for "OCE-46" and download the PDF.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to fill in:
| Field Name | What to Enter | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Business Name | Your full legal business name. | Using a DBA or a slightly different name than what's on your FMCSA registration. |
| USDOT Number | Your U.S. Department of Transportation number. | Transposing numbers or leaving it blank. Double-check it. |
| MC/MX/FF Number | Your operating authority number. | Entering the wrong number or mixing it up with your DOT number. |
| Business Address | The mailing address the FMCSA has on file for you. | Using a new address that hasn't been updated with the FMCSA yet. |
| Reason for Request | A brief statement. "Voluntary revocation" or "Ceasing operations" is all you need. | Writing a long story. Keep it short and professional. |
| Signature | Your handwritten signature. | A typed name instead of a signature. The form must be physically or digitally signed. |
| Printed Name & Title | Print your name and your official title (e.g., Owner, President, Partner). | The person signing doesn't have legal authority (e.g., an employee who is not an officer). |
| Date | The date you signed the form. | Forgetting to date it. |
Once it's filled out and double-checked, you need to submit it. You have two options:
- Online Submission: Use the FMCSA's web form submission system. This is usually the fastest and most reliable way. You'll upload the completed PDF.
- Mail: You can mail the physical form to the address listed on the document itself. This is slower, and you should use a method with tracking to ensure it arrives. Always check the form for the most current mailing address.
What Happens After You Submit Your OCE-46?
Don't expect a confirmation email or a certificate in the mail. The government process is a bit different. Here's what you should expect.
First, the FMCSA reviews your form. If everything is correct, they will process it. This can take several weeks. It is not an instant process. Your request will be published in the FMCSA Register, which is a public record of actions related to operating authorities. This gives public notice of the pending revocation.
After the notice period, your authority status will be officially changed. The only way to confirm this is to check the FMCSA's public database. Go to the Licensing & Insurance (L&I) website and search for your MC number. You're looking for the "Authority Status" to change from "Authorized" to "Revoked".
Once you see that "Revoked" status, you have one more critical step. You must contact your bond provider and insurance company to cancel your policies.
- Cancel Your BMC-84 Bond or BMC-85 Trust: Your bond company will not automatically stop charging you. You need to send them proof that your authority is revoked. A screenshot of the L&I page showing the revoked status is usually enough. If you don't do this, you will keep getting billed for a bond you no longer need.
- Cancel Your Insurance: If you carry contingent cargo or other business insurance, call your agent and cancel those policies as well.
Following these steps ensures you're completely and cleanly out of the business, with no surprise bills showing up months later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cancelling Authority
Getting this process wrong can be a real pain. It can cause delays or leave you on the hook for payments. Here are the most common mistakes we see people make.
- Using Incorrect Business Information: The number one reason for rejection. Your legal name, DOT number, and MC number must be an exact match to the FMCSA's records. No nicknames or abbreviations.
- Having an Unauthorized Person Sign: The form must be signed by someone with legal authority for the business. This means the owner for a sole proprietorship, a partner for a partnership, or a corporate officer (like a President or CEO) for a corporation. A general manager or dispatcher can't sign it.
- Forgetting to Cancel the Bond: The FMCSA does not tell your bond provider to cancel your policy. That's your job. If you forget, you'll be paying thousands of dollars a year for a bond on an inactive authority.
- Just Abandoning Your Authority: Some people think they can just stop paying their bond and let the FMCSA revoke their authority. This is a bad idea. An involuntary revocation is a public mark against you and can make it harder to get authority again if you ever decide to return to the industry.
- Submitting an Incomplete Form: Double check that you've filled out every required field before you submit. A blank spot can be enough for a rejection, sending you back to square one.
Closing a business is a process. Taking a few minutes to handle your authority revocation correctly with Form OCE-46 is the final step. It ensures a clean exit and leaves the door open for your next venture, whatever it might be.
If you're shutting down one chapter and thinking about what's next, we're here. Whether you're looking to start over with a stronger foundation or pivot into a new role like dispatch, our training can give you the straight-up knowledge you need to succeed.
Common questions
How long does it take for the FMCSA to process Form OCE-46?
It's not instant. After you submit the form, it typically takes the FMCSA several weeks to process the revocation. Your request will be published, and then you'll need to check the FMCSA L&I database to confirm your authority status has been updated to 'Revoked'.
Is there a fee to file Form OCE-46?
No, there is no fee to file Form OCE-46 with the FMCSA. It is a free administrative process. However, remember you are still responsible for any payments related to your bond or insurance until they are properly cancelled with those providers.
What happens if I don't file Form OCE-46 and just let my authority lapse?
If you stop paying for your bond or insurance, the FMCSA will involuntarily revoke your authority. This is a public record and can look unprofessional. It is always better to voluntarily revoke your authority with Form OCE-46 for a clean exit.
Can I get my broker authority back after I've revoked it?
Yes, you can reapply for operating authority in the future. However, you will have to go through the entire application process again, including paying all associated fees and securing a new bond. It is not as simple as 'reactivating' your old number.
Want the whole system instead of the summary?
The Brokerage Accelerator is the full build, from authority paperwork to the call scripts that get you your first shipper. 500+ members inside.