Have you ever wondered about what is BOC-3 and why transportation companies need it? If the answer is yes, then you are here at the right spot. Let us walk you through everything you need to know about BOC-3 filing, which happens to be the key requirement for all rucking businesses in assigning an SOP agent.
According to federal law, the process agent is mandatory so that the trucking/ transportation company can obtain a go-ahead sign from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Administration). In case you don’t know, the FMCSA is responsible for the effective regulation of the trucking and transportation industry within the United States.
If the transportation and trucking companies want to retain their operational authority from the FMCSA, they must file a BOC-3 form with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Read on to learn more about trucking companies.
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What Exactly Does a BOC-3 Process Agent do?
You can refer to a BOC-3 agent as an FMCSA agent as well. The agent must reside in all regions/ states where your transportation business is operated. Your appointed BOC-3 agent will receive all legal paperwork on behalf of the principal. It is essential to note here that the SOP agent can either be an individual or an entire business organization. Eventually, the business agent/ organization must have a physical address and be physically available in all states where your transportation business is conducted. This way, it will ensure that they can receive legal documentation during normal business days and normal business hours.
After you appoint an SOP agent, they will legally operate on your behalf to receive and forward court-related documents in the respective states. Typically, the documents revolve around complaints and summons, which require certain actions to be taken by the defendants.
What Is The Typical Cost of a BOC-3 Process Agent?
Suppose you are all set to run a trucking company. You will need to know the costs for investing in the business, including the cost of a BOC-3 agent. The final costs depend on the types of services that you want to avail. The typical costs can fall somewhere between $20 and $100.
It is important to know that the fee structures can vary from one BOC-3 agent to another. Many agents also offer an annual fee with the chances of additional charges for each handled paperwork by the agent. In the case of an address change, the agent can also demand additional fees.
What Involves a BOC-3 Filing?
In the United States, a BOC-3 filing refers to a federal filing that designates a process agent/ organization to receive and forward legal paperwork on your transportation/ trucking company. The agent/ organization must be present in all states where the transportation company is authorized to operate.
Typically, the BOC-3 filing is done before any trucking/ Transportation Company is officially granted permission to operate. The filing is typically made online, and only a process agent/ organization is allowed to do the needful. If the filing person is a broker and doesn’t have commercial vehicles, they can file for the BOC-3 form themselves in the form of a paper document.
By assigning an SOP agent, the transportation company can maintain an effective track of all legal nonfictions and, thus, diminish all possible legal penalties if they ever fall out of compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
What is The Typical Duration For Filing a BOC-3?
After completing a BOC-3 form, which includes the e-filing of the form with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), they (the FMCSA) will grant an operating authority by mailing the relevant document to you.
It typically doesn’t take more than four business days for the operating authority papers to reach you. However, you recommend contacting the FMCSA if more than ten days have passed since the potential grant date. If you cannot visit the FMCSA office in person, you can always check in with their website and see whether the operating authority has been granted.
There is a possibility that you might be required to refile a BOC-3, especially if the case involves a change in name, authority transfer, and a reinstatement of the operating authority of your respective motor carrier.
