Closing or scaling back your authority: what to know about FMCSA's voluntary revocation form

For-hire carriers, brokers and freight forwarders that want to give up all or part of their FMCSA operating authority can ask for it to be revoked using Form OCE-46, and an October 23, 2026 Federal Register notice gives fresh figures on how often that happens.

The notice asks for comments by November 23, 2026 on FMCSA's plan to renew the paperwork approval behind the form, OMB control number 2126-0018, which expires December 31, 2026. Nothing about the process changes in the notice. Still, it is a useful reminder of an option many small operators overlook when they park the truck or close a brokerage.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Who uses the form

FMCSA registers three kinds of operating authority covered by this collection:

• for-hire motor carriers, under 49 U.S.C. 13902
• surface freight forwarders, under 49 U.S.C. 13903
• property brokers, under 49 U.S.C. 13904

Federal law lets FMCSA amend or revoke a registration when the registrant applies for it. Form OCE-46 is how a registrant makes that request.

Voluntary versus involuntary revocation

There are two ways operating authority usually ends:

• Voluntary. You file Form OCE-46 and ask FMCSA to revoke your authority.
• Involuntary. If you stop keeping proof of the required insurance on file with FMCSA, your authority is revoked.

FMCSA says the end result is the same either way. Some registrants still prefer to request revocation themselves rather than let it happen because insurance lapsed.

You do not have to give up everything

The form can be used to revoke part of your authority, not just all of it. FMCSA notes that businesses sometimes ask to drop some, but not all, of what they hold. It does not list the specific business reasons.

Filing online or by mail

FMCSA says the form can be submitted online. It estimates that about 27 percent of filers, roughly 1,517 a year, still send it by mail, which involves notarization and postage costs. FMCSA estimates each filing takes about 15 minutes.

How many registrants file

FMCSA now estimates 5,711 filings a year, down from 8,699 in its previous estimate. It puts the total burden at 1,428 hours a year and the industry's annual labor cost at $51,422.

When FMCSA first asked for comments in May 2026, it received none.

Before you file

A few practical points to check, based on how the system is set up:

• Make sure you are revoking the right authority type and docket number, especially if you hold more than one.
• Remember that insurance filings and revocation are linked. Letting insurance lapse also leads to revocation, but it is not the same as asking for it yourself.
• Keep a copy of what you file and any confirmation you receive.

If you want to comment on the paperwork estimates, the notice directs comments to reginfo.gov. Search for OMB control number 2126-0018 under information collections in 30-day review. Comments are due November 23, 2026.