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Verification Checklist

How To Verify an Auto Transport Company: A Five-Minute FMCSA Checklist

Every legitimate broker and carrier can be verified through public FMCSA records. This is the exact sequence that catches almost every scam operator.

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Understanding MC vs USDOT Numbers

USDOT numbers identify any commercial operator interacting with FMCSA. MC numbers are the operating authority for interstate transport — a legitimate broker has an MC number with broker authority, and a legitimate carrier has an MC number with motor carrier authority. Some operators hold both. Either way, the number on the website must match the SAFER record exactly.

What 'Authority Status' Actually Means

SAFER shows operating authority status as Active, Inactive, or Out of Service. Active means the operator is legally permitted to operate. Inactive often means filings have lapsed (insurance, surety bond). Out of Service means FMCSA has formally suspended authority. Do not book with anything other than Active.

Why Registration Date Matters

Operators registered within the last 6–12 months don't have a track record. While many are legitimate startups, scam operators also cycle through new corporate entities every time complaints accumulate against the old one. Combine registration date with review history and BBB profile to assess.

The Five-Minute Verification Checklist

Run this checklist on any broker or carrier before paying anything. Items 1–4 catch the majority of scam operators on their own.

  1. 1Find the MC number on the company website (usually footer). If it's not visible, that's a red flag on its own.
  2. 2Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and enter the MC number or company name.
  3. 3Confirm the legal name on SAFER exactly matches the company name on the website.
  4. 4Confirm operating status is 'Authorized' or 'Active' (not 'Inactive' or 'Out of Service').
  5. 5Confirm the authority type matches what the website claims (broker vs carrier vs both).
  6. 6Note registration date — operators registered within the last 6–12 months warrant extra caution.
  7. 7For carriers: review the active cargo insurance carrier and policy limits listed on the FMCSA record.
  8. 8For brokers: confirm a BMC-84 surety bond is on file.
  9. 9Cross-check reviews on Google, BBB, Trustpilot, and Transport Reviews — look for distribution, not just average score.
  10. 10Confirm the listed business address is real (Google Street View can verify in seconds).
  11. 11Get pricing and terms in writing before paying anything.

FMCSA SAFER: FMCSA's SAFER tool at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov is free and authoritative. The Licensing and Insurance (L&I) sub-record at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov shows current cargo insurance filings for carriers and surety bonds for brokers. Both are the source of truth — any Certificate of Insurance a broker emails you should match what L&I shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a car shipping company on FMCSA?+
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, enter the company name or MC number, and verify the legal name, operating status (must be 'Active' or 'Authorized'), authority type (broker or carrier), and registration date. The Licensing and Insurance sub-tool at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov shows insurance filings.
What does 'MC Authorized For' mean?+
The 'Authorized For' line in a SAFER record shows what types of operations FMCSA has approved — typically 'Property' for cargo, with sub-types of 'Common', 'Contract', or 'Broker'. An auto transport broker will show 'Broker' authority; a carrier will show 'Common' or 'Contract'.
How do I verify a carrier's insurance?+
FMCSA's L&I (Licensing and Insurance) public lookup at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov shows the current cargo insurance carrier, policy limits, and effective dates for any motor carrier. The Certificate of Insurance a broker emails should match what L&I shows. If it doesn't, the COI is not valid.

Work With an FMCSA-Authorized Broker

EZ Auto Movers verifies every carrier against active FMCSA records and provides written quote, terms, and BOL before any payment.

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