The legal process is important for commercial vehicle owners in the US to operate their businesses. In this aspect, the FMCSA Process Agent helps you in filing the BOC-3 form to fulfil legal requirements. This blog is about the BOC-3 filing and transportation companies like freight forwarders, motor carriers and brokers. All the trucking companies who do business across each state of the USA must designate a process agent and service of process. Before designation of the agent, ensure that they comply with all rules and regulations set by USA authorities. So that you do not have to face any inconvenient situation shortly.
What Are the FMCSA Duties?
FMCSA is the federal department of transportation that has been working since the 2000s. Primarily, an FMCSA does research, develops, tests and enforces the safety standards for commercial drivers and vehicles. Also, they issue trucking companies USDOT numbers and operating authorities. The agency identifies the high-risk motors, scenarios and drivers to fine-tune the regulations and standards.
What is a FMCSA Process Agent?
FMCSA is the abbreviation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Its main purpose is to reduce the risk of accidents by improving commercial vehicles ( Buses and large trucks) safety performance. However, a process agent is a representative who serves the court papers whenever a legal proceeding is brought against the freight forwarder, vehicle and broker.
One of the key requirements of applying for the FMCSA certification is that companies must name a process agent of their state. The process agent designation is essential according to federal law to operate from the FMCSA. For this purpose, agencies are responsible for regulating trucking companies throughout the United States.
What is BOC-3?
In the United States, a BOC-3 is a federal filing which is a designation of agents for the service of process. It is the process of designating an FMCSA process agent to accept the transportation and legal companies who are allowed to do business, a legal documents on their behalf. Possessing the authorised authority to conduct business is crucial for trucking companies.
A freight forwarder and broker without commercial vehicles can file the BOC-3 form on their behalf. However, the BOC-3 form can only be submitted online by the process agent acting on behalf of the vehicle. You must fill out the form within 90 days from the date the FMCSA registrar publishes the operating authority application. Missing the deadline will result in the confiscation of the application fee and cancellation of operating authority cancellation. Here are some of the important requirements that you must fill out when filing the form online on the website.
- Address and name of the freight forwarder or broker carrier
- Authorized person title and signature
- Process agent name and address from each state listed as a blanket designation and individual.
How to Select the Process Agent?
To select a registered agent for a service provider, always look for professional and trained service process agents in the industry of transportation. Make sure that they ensure the secure and prompt handling of official documents. There are numerous agents in the market but find out the one who goes beyond the legal requirements. Also, ensure that the agency is integral in its work assists you honestly and does not charge an additional fee.
Concluding Remarks
Every vehicle owner needs the FMCSA process agents for the legal documentation of their business. The federal administration must ensure of the vehicle’s safety for the smooth running of the trucking companies’ operations. For this purpose, you need to file a BOC-3 to designate the process agent to obtain authority from the FMCSA.
READ MORE: https://eautocar.co.uk/
