UMA continues free process agent – aka BOC-3 – service

For more than five decades, the United Motorcoach Association has provided its Members free process agent service, otherwise known as the BOC-3. 

Members have saved hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars as a result of this free service.

Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has asked blanket process agents’ providers to update their process agents. As a result, some UMA Members have received notices their operating authority will expire if a replacement BOC-3 is not received.

“This basic form is not well understood, but it is an essential part of regulatory compliance for all motor carriers.  UMA will continue to ensure that our members can fulfill their regulatory requirements by providing this service at no additional cost,” said Scott Michael, UMA President and CEO.

New BOC-3 filings in some instances have already been made, and others are in progress.

In response, UMA is replacing the filings with process agents in every state and is fully compliant with FMCSA.

What to do with a notice

“We regret any worries and assure you we are replacing all BOC-3s as we receive notice,” said Ken Presley, Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs and Industry Relations/COO.

He encouraged UMA Members who have received a notice from FMCSA to send him a copy at kpresley@uma.org or fax it to 703-838-2950.   

According to federal law, the designation of a process agent is essential for obtaining the authority to operate from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the agency responsible for regulating the bus industry in the United States. 

To receive and keep this authority, these companies must file Form BOC-3 (Designation of Agents for Service of Process) with the FMCSA.

A BOC-3 filing is how motor carriers that do business across state lines designate a service of process or process agent. The federal filing assigns a process agent to accept legal documents on behalf of a company in each state in which the company is authorized to do business. A BOC-3 filing is often required before a motor carrier is granted authority to operate. In the case of the motorcoach industry, only the process agent can file the BOC-3, and the filing must be made online. 

Related:

FMCSA’s Chief Counsel becomes the agency’s new Deputy Administrator