MC on lease: how running under another carrier’s MC works

What "MC on lease" means

An MC number is the operating authority a company needs to haul regulated freight for hire. If you are an owner-operator without your own active authority, you can lease your truck on to a carrier that already has one and haul under that carrier's MC. People call this "MC on lease", "leasing on" or running under someone else's authority.

Why owner-operators lease on

• You do not have an authority yet, or you are waiting for yours to become active.
• You want to start earning and build a record before running your own authority.
• You would rather drive than handle the paperwork that comes with your own authority.

What the written lease must cover

Federal rules for leasing equipment to authorized carriers are in 49 CFR Part 376. In general terms, the lease has to be in writing and signed by both sides, and it has to spell out how long it lasts, how you are paid and what deductions can be made. The carrier must have exclusive possession, control and use of the equipment for the length of the lease and takes responsibility for its operation. A copy of the lease must be kept on the truck. Read the full rules or ask a qualified professional, since details matter.

Questions to ask before you lease on

• Who provides and pays for the insurance, and what exactly does it cover?
• How and when will I be paid, and what is deducted from my settlements?
• Is there an escrow or holdback, and how do I get it back?
• How can the lease be ended, and by whom?
• Who finds and books my loads, and do I approve each one?
• Which fees and charges are in the written lease, and are any outside it?

Leasing on or getting your own MC

Leasing on lets you start sooner, while running your own authority gives you more control and more responsibility. Many owner-operators lease on first, then move to their own authority later. If you plan to run your own, read our guide on getting your first loads with a new MC authority.

For MC holders

If you already hold an authority and have room to add trucks, leasing on vetted owner-operators is a way to grow your fleet, as long as the written lease and your insurance cover the arrangement properly.

How Dispatchero's program works

Dispatchero connects owner-operators with authorized carriers under a written Part 376 lease, and helps MC holders find vetted owner-operators. See the MC lease-on program for details, or contact us. This page is general information, not legal advice.