Reactivating MC or New Numbers?

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by K9OTR, Mar 5, 2026.

  1. K9OTR

    K9OTR Light Load Member

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    Rochester, NY
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    I voluntarily deactivated my DOT/MC numbers in December. I'm moving out of state, and trying to decide if I should go through the effort of moving my 4yr old DOT/MC numbers or just start over. Would I have to go through another new entrant audit if I reactivate the old number?

    Is there any difference from a broker standpoint? I know its almost impossible to work with most good brokers on new numbers, but have heard its essentially the same if you deactivate them and start again a few months later.

    I have a good reputation with most of the brokers I've worked with, but one of my drivers was in 2 accidents 2 years ago with over 2m in claims, Insurance cost was unsustainable 58k for 1 truck. Im told insurance policies in the new state will only be looking at the past 3 years, the big one will roll off in May, but im not sure if that also factors in claims payouts or just the accident event itself. but from a brokers standpoint alone, does deactivating your numbers "for the winter" start you over from scratch?
     
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  3. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Yes, from my experience you are essentially starting over. I did the same for exactly one month a few years ago and had to wait 6 months to a year to be able to run again with brokers I had a great relationship with.
     
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  4. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    You probably won’t be able to get new numbers but will have to pay the same amount to reactivate your old numbers. That’s my experience, I got new numbers and didn’t activate them until two years later. FMCSA kept me with the same numbers even though I thought I cancelled everything out.

    Good luck getting inspections!
    I had 3 clean inspections showing but now I’m down to one and that will be falling off anytime now. Basically I’ve gone 2 years now without an inspection.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2026
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  5. K9OTR

    K9OTR Light Load Member

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    Sep 1, 2013
    Rochester, NY
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    One thing I forgot to mention, is if I go the new numbers route I will be closing my existing business, and opening in a different state with a new LLC. Infact, that will likely happen regardless, I just wasn't sure if It was worth trying to merge them, and transfer the MC. It doesn't sound like there is much point in it.
     
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