Form MCS-82 Explained: Your Guide to Surety Bonds and FMCSA Rules

We’ve broken down the most common questions about the form and surety bond process.

What is Form MCS-82?

Form MCS-82 is a surety bond form submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that shows you have the required liability coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and environmental damage. This form serves as a legal agreement between you, the motor carrier, and your surety company. It guarantees that any final judgments for public liability will be covered, allowing you to stay compliant with FMCSA regulations under 49 CFR 387 without needing a traditional insurance policy like the one associated with Form MCS-90.

If you’re a carrier using a surety bond, this is your go-to form.

Form MCS-82 is required for for-hire motor carriers transporting goods or passengers across state lines, freight forwarders who take responsibility for freight, and operators who choose a surety bond instead of a full insurance policy.

You should file Form MCS-82 before receiving operating authority from the FMCSA. It is required whenever you use a surety bond to meet liability regulations and must remain active for as long as you operate.

Filing Form MCS-82 is simpler than you might think.

First, secure a surety bond by working with a U.S. Treasury-licensed surety company and make sure the coverage limits fit the type of freight you haul.
Complete the form by providing your legal name, MC number, coverage details, and signatures from both you and the surety company.
Submit the form to the FMCSA using their Licensing and Insurance portal, although paper submissions are still accepted.
Finally, verify that your bond has been accepted by checking the FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance system to confirm it is listed.

Form MCS-82 offers lower upfront costs while still meeting FMCSA compliance.

Using a surety bond lets you avoid the high premiums of full insurance, helping small and mid-size carriers keep expenses manageable. It keeps you compliant without requiring a large cash outflow and makes financial sense if you work with a reliable surety company.

You could face serious consequences. Your operating authority might be revoked or delayed, and you could be subject to fines, penalties, or even lawsuits. It could also harm your reputation with shippers, brokers, and business partners.

Stay on the safe side. File Form MCS-82 and roll with confidence.

Depending on what and how you haul, your surety bond must meet these FMCSA minimums:

Operation Type	Minimum Coverage Required
Property (under 10,001 lbs)	$300,000
Property (over 10,000 lbs)	$750,000
Oil Transport	$1,000,000
Hazardous Materials	$5,000,000