Free tool · FMCSA data updated daily
Car shipping company lookup
Check any auto transport company before you book. Enter its USDOT number, MC number or name to see if it is licensed, insured and in good standing with the FMCSA — with red flags explained in plain English.
Examples: 2239816 (USDOT) · MC-795152 · or part of the company name. You'll find the numbers on the company's website, quote or contract.
What the lookup checks
Eight things to know before you hand over your keys
Every interstate car shipping company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The lookup reads that record and flags what matters to you as a customer.
USDOT status
Every company that moves vehicles across state lines needs an active USDOT number. Inactive means it has stopped operating or was shut down.
Operating authority (MC number)
Federal permission to ship cars for pay. Carriers hold carrier authority; brokers hold broker authority. No active authority, no legal interstate shipping.
Liability insurance
Carriers must keep at least $750,000 of liability coverage on file with the FMCSA. Most auto haulers carry $1,000,000.
Broker bond
Brokers must file a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund. It protects customers and carriers if the broker doesn't pay.
Out-of-service orders
An FMCSA order to stop operating — after failed safety audits, unpaid fines or an imminent hazard.
Safety rating and crashes
Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory after an FMCSA audit, plus crashes reported in the last 24 months.
Time in business
Scammers rarely keep a name for long. A registration only weeks or months old deserves extra caution.
Carrier or broker
Whether the company hauls your car itself or books a partner carrier — and whether it is actually registered to carry vehicles.
Beyond the records
Car shipping scam red flags
A clean FMCSA record is the minimum. These warning signs matter just as much — most car shipping complaints start with one of them.
- A quote far below everyone else's. Lowball quotes get raised after booking or sit with no carrier for weeks. Compare with our car shipping cost calculator.
- A big deposit by wire, Zelle or gift card. Reputable companies take $0–$250 upfront, usually by card, and the rest at pickup or delivery.
- A name that doesn't match the record. The legal name or DBA on the FMCSA record should match the website, the contract and the truck.
- "Guaranteed" pickup dates from a broker. A broker can't promise a date until a carrier is assigned — get the date in writing and ask who the carrier is.
- No written contract or Bill of Lading. Inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery — our car shipping checklist has a printable inspection form.
FAQ
Checking a car shipping company
Want companies that already passed these checks? Browse verified companies by state.
How do I check if a car shipping company is legit?
Look up its USDOT or MC number. A legitimate company has an active USDOT number, active operating authority (MC) as a carrier or broker, and insurance or a broker bond on file with the FMCSA. Then make sure the name on the record matches the company you are talking to, and be wary of any company registered in the last few months that asks for a large deposit.
What is the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?
The USDOT number identifies the company and tracks its safety record, inspections and crashes. The MC number is its operating authority — federal permission to transport vehicles for pay across state lines. An interstate car shipping company needs both, and both must be active.
Where do I find a company's USDOT or MC number?
Licensed companies show them on their website (usually in the footer), in quotes and contracts, on the Bill of Lading and on the side of their trucks. If a company won't give you its USDOT or MC number, don't book with it.
Is it a red flag if the company is a broker?
No. Most online car shipping companies are brokers: they book your car with a partner carrier that runs the route. A legitimate broker has active broker authority and a $75,000 bond on file. Ask which carrier will haul your car and check that carrier too.
What insurance must a car shipping company have?
Interstate carriers must file at least $750,000 of liability insurance with the FMCSA (many auto haulers carry $1,000,000). Brokers must file a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund. Cargo insurance — the policy that pays for damage to your car — often isn't filed with the FMCSA, so ask for a certificate of insurance and check that the cargo limit covers your car's value.
What does "out of service" mean?
An out-of-service order is an FMCSA order to stop operating immediately, usually after an unsatisfactory safety rating, unpaid fines or an imminent hazard. A company under an active order must not move your car.
Where does this data come from and how current is it?
From the FMCSA's own records, published daily by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Results are refreshed at least every 12 hours. For a final check before you pay, you can also open the company's FMCSA SAFER snapshot from the report.