How Do I Verify a Carrier's FMCSA and USDOT Numbers Before Booking?
You're shipping a car cross-country. Scams lurk everywhere in auto transport. Fake carriers vanish with deposits. Real ones deliver. Verifying FMCSA and USDOT numbers stops trouble cold. It's simple. Do it before booking. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., an auto transport broker in Texas, I've seen it all. Brokers like us handle the vetting. But know how yourself. Protects you.
What Are FMCSA and USDOT Numbers?
FMCSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They regulate trucks. USDOT numbers are unique IDs they issue. Every legit carrier has one. Brokers too. It's proof they're registered. No number? Walk away.
Why Do Brokers and Carriers Need Both Numbers?
USDOT covers safety and operations. FMCSA ties to interstate authority. Carriers haul nationwide. Brokers connect shippers to them. Both need USDOT for tracking. FMCSA enforces rules. Double coverage keeps roads safe. Skip it, risk fines or worse.
How Do These Numbers Differ from MC Authority?
MC is operating authority. For interstate freight. USDOT is registration. FMCSA oversees both. Here's a quick breakdown:
| Number Type | Purpose | Issued By |
|-------------|---------|-----------|
| USDOT | Vehicle/Company ID, Safety Tracking | FMCSA |
| MC Authority | Permission to Haul For-Hire Freight | FMCSA |
| FMCSA (General) | Oversight and Enforcement | FMCSA |
MC lets them charge you. USDOT proves existence. Check all three.
Where Can You Find and Verify These Numbers Online?
Don't trust quotes. Go official. Free tools exist. Five minutes max.
What Is the Official FMCSA Website?
Safest bet: fmcsa.dot.gov. Searchable database. Real-time data. No apps or third parties. They lie.
How Do You Search by USDOT Number?
1. Hit fmcsa.dot.gov/registration.
2. Enter USDOT number.
3. Click search.
4. Review snapshot.
Carrier name matches? Good. Out-of-state? Verify DBA names too.
What Key Information Should You Check in the FMCSA Report?
Snapshot shows basics. Dig deeper.
What Safety Ratings and Violation History Reveal?
Look for SMS score. Acute and critical crashes. Out-of-service orders. High numbers? Bad sign. Zero crashes possible for newbies. But complaints? Red flag. We at AMG vet carriers' safety records before dispatch. Keeps your vehicle safe on open car carrier or enclosed transport.
How Do You Confirm Active Insurance Coverage?
Report lists insurance on file. Minimum $750k auto liability. Check filer code. Active date. Call insurer if unsure. Scammers fake this. Our vetted insured carriers meet or beat standards. No gaps.
What Red Flags Mean a Carrier Isn't Legitimate?
No USDOT match. Wrong entity type. Broker posing as carrier. Too-good rates. Cash only. No contract. Run.
Why Might a Carrier Lack Out-of-Service Orders or Complaints?
New carrier? Possible. But zero history screams fake. Real ones have miles logged. Check inspection history. Empty? Suspicious.
Should You Always Verify Even If Using a Broker?
Yes. Always. Brokers save hassle. We do frontend sales, coordination, backend systems. Carriers hate people problems. Roads are deadly enough. But verify us too. Good brokers share carrier info upfront.
At AMG Transport Co., Texas-based auto transport broker nationwide, we make it easy. VIN scans for transparency. Stripe deposits, no wires. Vetted insured carriers only. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes, no hidden fees. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers, so we know both sides. Ship from Houston to LA? Door-to-door. Classic car? Enclosed. Non-running SUV? We handle it.
Skip the risk. Use experience you can trust. Get your quote today.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.