How Can You Verify FMCSA Authority Before Booking Auto Transport?

Booking auto transport? Don't skip verification. Scams fill this industry. Roads are dangerous enough. One wrong carrier, and your car vanishes. Or worse. FMCSA is your shield. It tracks safety and authority. Check it first. Always.

I've managed logistics at AMG Transport Co. for years. We're a Texas-based auto transport broker. Nationwide vehicle shipping, door to door. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We see the fraud daily. Brokers handle sales and coordination. Carriers drive. But both need FMCSA okay. Verify before you pay.

What is FMCSA and Why Check It for Auto Transport?

FMCSA stands for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It's under the DOT. They regulate trucks hauling freight. Including your car.

Why check? Legit companies register here. Scammers don't. Or they fake it. FMCSA shows safety records. Crashes. Violations. Insurance.

Skip this, and you risk non-payment disputes. Stolen vehicles. Delays. Brokers like us buffer that. We vet carriers. But you should check too. Protects everyone.

Texas to California? Cross-country ship? FMCSA data prevents headaches. How long does car shipping take cross country? Reliable ones deliver on time. Unverified? Who knows.

How Do You Find a Company's USDOT and MC Numbers?

Every legit transporter has these. USDOT for carriers. MC for brokers and some carriers.

Ask for them upfront. On quotes. Contracts. Websites.

No numbers? Walk away.

Got them? Go to fmcsa.dot.gov. Search "SAFER Web." Or the main search.

Steps:

• Enter USDOT or MC number.
• Hit search.
• Review basic info. Legal name. Address. Phone.

Mismatch? Scam alert.

At AMG, we list ours everywhere. Transparent. Our carriers too. VIN scans at pickup. Stripe deposits. No games.

What Safety Ratings Tell You About Reliability?

FMCSA gives SMS ratings. Safety Measurement System.

Seven categories. Unsafe driving. Vehicle maintenance. Crash rates.

Ratings:

• Green: Top quartile. Good.
• Yellow: Middle. Okay.
• Red: Bottom. Avoid.

Check CSA scores. Out-of-service orders. Recent inspections.

High crashes? Pass. Poor brakes? No deal.

| Metric | What It Means | Green Flag |

|--------|---------------|------------|

| Unsafe Driving | Tickets, speeding | Score under 80%ile |

| Vehicle Maintenance | Brakes, tires | No recent violations |

| Crash Indicator | Accident history | Zero recent incidents |

| Driver Fitness | Logs, quals | Compliant |

Carriers hide this. Brokers should share. We do. Vetted, insured carriers only.

How to Confirm Active Operating Authority?

Authority expires. Check it's live.

On FMCSA Licensing and Insurance page. Enter MC or USDOT.

Look for:

• Active status.
• Broker or Carrier type.
• Insurance on file. $750k min for autos.

Brokers file BMC-84. Carriers BMC-91X.

No insurance? Illegal. Fine city.

Our authority? Always current. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes. No bait and switch.

What FMCSA Red Flags Mean Trouble?

Spot these. Bail.

• Inactive authority. Suspended.
• No insurance filing.
• Mismatched DBA name.
• CSA scores in red.
• High complaints on FMCSA site.
• New entity. Under a year old.

Scammers double broker. Take your cash. Vanish.

Real talk: People skip pay. Carriers hate it. That's why they use brokers. We chase payments. Build trust.

Open car carrier? Enclosed for luxury? Verify first. Pros and cons mean nothing without safety.

How Does Broker vs Carrier FMCSA Verification Differ?

Carriers: Focus USDOT. Fleet data. SMS ratings heavy.

Brokers: MC authority key. No trucks. But we need broker license. Insurance filing.

Brokers don't drive. We coordinate. Sales. Tracking. Problems.

Check both. Carrier for your truck. Broker for dispatch.

| Aspect | Broker | Carrier |

|--------|--------|---------|

| Primary Number | MC | USDOT |

| Authority Type | Brokerage | Operating |

| Key Check | Insurance filing | SMS ratings |

| Role | Coordination | Driving |

We're both. AMG broker. AMG Endeavors carrier. Full view.

Why AMG Transport Co. Makes It Simple

Tired of scams? Pick experience. We're Texas auto transport broker. Nationwide. Door-to-door car shipping.

We verify everything. Vetted carriers. FMCSA compliant. Insured. VIN scans. Stripe deposits secure.

Honest quotes. No hidden fees. 72-hour pickups. Luxury enclosed? Open multi-car? We handle.

Ship from Houston to LA? Relocating to Florida? Trust us.

Get your quote now. No regrets.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.