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Operating Authority Status Codes

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Every carrier in FMCSA's registry has an operating authority status: a single letter that tells you whether they're cleared to haul. DOT Lead Scout shows this status as a colored badge throughout the platform, and you can filter your pipeline by it. This article covers all five codes and how to think about each one for outreach.

The Five Status Codes

FMCSA assigns each carrier exactly one status code. The five you'll see in your pipeline:
CodeLabelColor in DOT Lead ScoutMeaning
AActiveGreenAuthority is active and current. The default state for a working carrier.
CConditionalBlueAuthority is active but with conditions — usually after a partial compliance issue.
IInactiveRedAuthority lapsed, typically due to missing biennial filings or insurance.
NNot AuthorizedOrangeCarrier is in the system but lacks active operating authority. Often a new entrant pre-approval.
OOut of ServiceGrayFMCSA has issued an out-of-service order — the carrier cannot legally operate.

Where Status Shows Up

  • Lead lists — the "Status" column shows a colored badge with the full label
  • Lead detail panel — status badge appears in the header next to the carrier name
  • Pipeline filters — you can filter leads to one or more status codes
  • Map View — markers for non-active carriers display in dimmed colors
  • Daily digest emails — status badges appear next to each lead summary

What Each Status Means for Outreach

A — Active

Your primary target. Active carriers are running drivers, those drivers need physicals, and the carrier has both the authority and the budget to be using a clinic right now. By default, lead lists in DOT Lead Scout filter to A only.

C — Conditional

Strong outreach moment. Conditional means FMCSA found compliance issues. The carrier has 60 days to fix them or get downgraded. They're actively looking for ways to get back to clean status — a thorough exam from a quality clinic is exactly what they need.

I — Inactive

Two-faced. Most inactive carriers are dead — they shut down and the registration lapsed. But some go inactive for paperwork reasons (missed an MCS-150 deadline) and reactivate within weeks. The Reactivated change signal flags carriers that flip from I or N back to A — those are gold.

N — Not Authorized

New-entrant signal. A USDOT number was issued but operating authority hasn't been granted yet. Often this is a brand-new carrier in the application phase — they'll need physicals as soon as they start hiring drivers. Worth being on their radar early.

O — Out of Service

Skip them, generally. An out-of-service order is serious — FMCSA has shut them down. They may eventually return to service, but in the meantime they can't legally hire drivers, which means no exams. Don't waste outreach time here.

The Reactivated Change Signal

When a carrier's status changes from I or N back to A, DOT Lead Scout flags them with a Reactivated change signal. These are some of the highest-converting leads in the system for one reason: they just went through the paperwork hassle of getting back into operation, which means they're definitely about to start running drivers again.
Engage+ users see this signal in the dashboard

On Engage+, the Reactivated badge appears on the lead row and on the dashboard's change signals widget. See 6.4 Change Signals for how to use these.

Status Code vs. Safety Rating

Two different things

Status Code = whether they're cleared to operate (regulatory state).
Safety Rating = how well they passed their last compliance audit (performance grade).
A carrier can be Active and Conditional-rated. They can also be Inactive with a Satisfactory rating from years ago. See 9.3 Safety Ratings Explained for the full picture.

Updated on April 29, 2026
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