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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.

Carrier

Tom's Auto Transport Inc

USDOT 1230303 MC-485078 Dallas, TX (214) 649-8667

Email

Check the flagged items before you book

1 thing is worth asking the company about. None of them alone means a scam.

What we checked

  • USDOT number is active

    The company's federal registration is current.

  • Operating authority is active

    Authorized for hire across state lines as a carrier (it can haul cars itself) under MC-485078.

  • Authority was revoked in the past (2004, 2006, 2007)

    It was reinstated and has been active since. Old revocations usually followed a lapse in insurance or a bond filing.

  • 1 revocation notice in the last 3 years

    FMCSA warned it would revoke the authority — usually over a missing insurance or bond filing — and the company fixed it in time. Repeated notices can be a sign of money trouble.

  • Liability insurance on file

    $1,000,000 of liability coverage is filed with FMCSA (required minimum: $750,000).

  • Cargo insurance not filed with FMCSA

    Federal rules don't require most carriers to file cargo coverage, so this is common. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing cargo coverage above your car's value.

  • No safety rating

    FMCSA has never audited this carrier. That is normal — most carriers are never rated.

  • In business for 22 years

    Registered with FMCSA since March 2004.

  • Out-of-service rate well above the national average

    18 inspections in 24 months. Vehicles were put out of service in 7.7% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 11.1% (national average 6.67%). Trucks or drivers put out of service at a roadside inspection had defects serious enough to stop them on the spot.

  • 1 reported crash in the last 24 months

    0 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 10 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
6303 Zenith St, Dallas, TX 75212
Mailing address
3900 Teleport Blvd #142721, Irving, TX 75014-2721
Phone
(214) 649-8667
Email
naomi@tomsautotransport.net

Company

Legal name
Tom's Auto Transport Inc
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Thomas Chavez
Process agent (BOC-3)
Allamerican Agents Of Process — Sioux Falls, SD
USDOT issued
Mar 31, 2004
Last MCS-150 update
Jan 5, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
Motor vehicles, Drive-away / towaway, Used Cars
Trucks
10 power units
Drivers
10 (10 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
1,059,891 (2024)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat

Safety record, last 24 months

18Roadside inspections
7.7%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
11.1%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
1Crashes
0 with injuries · 0 fatal

Roadside inspections

Police and state inspectors stop trucks to check the vehicle and the driver. Out of service means a problem serious enough to stop the truck or driver on the spot.

DateStateInspectionViolationsOut of service
Sep 29, 2026TXWalk-around (II)5No
Aug 13, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Aug 6, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1Driver
Jun 18, 2026ARDriver only (III)1No
May 20, 2026TXFull (Level I)3No
Jan 15, 2026ARDriver only (III)2No
Jan 15, 2026ARDriver only (III)2No
Nov 19, 2025OKWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 25, 2025TXWalk-around (II)3No
Sep 15, 2025TXWalk-around (II)3No
Sep 2, 2025TXWalk-around (II)3No
Aug 12, 2025TXWalk-around (II)5Vehicle
Aug 4, 2025TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 15, 2025KSWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 7, 2025OKDriver only (III)3Driver
Feb 13, 2025ARDriver only (III)1No
Jan 14, 2025TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jan 7, 2025TXWalk-around (II)3No

Crashes

Crashes reported by state police. The reports don't say who was at fault.

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Sep 23, 2026Caddo, OK00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Sentry Select Insurance CompanyA0311568001$1,000,000Jun 20, 2026
CargoGreat Midwest Insurance CompanyDTUM01012$5,000Jun 20, 2009

Ask the company for a certificate of insurance and check that the insurer and policy number match this table.

Past policies

Earlier filings, newest first. Cancelled, no replacement means coverage stopped with no new policy in place — a gap in insurance.

TypeInsurerFromUntilHow it ended
Liability (BIPD)Sentry Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2026Jun 20, 2026Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Pegaso Risk Retention Group IncJun 20, 2026Jun 20, 2026
Liability (BIPD)Pegaso Risk Retention Group IncJun 20, 2025Jun 20, 2026Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Progressive County MutualJun 20, 2022Jun 20, 2025Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Jun 20, 2018Jun 20, 2022Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Hallmark County Mutual Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2017Jun 20, 2018Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Hallmark County Mutual Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2016Jun 20, 2017Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Praetorian Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2015Jun 20, 2016Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Praetorian Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2014Jun 20, 2015Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Arch Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2011Jun 20, 2014Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Imperium Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2009Jun 20, 2011Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Home State County Mutual Ins. Co.Jun 20, 2008Jun 20, 2009Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 20, 2008Jun 20, 2009Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoAdriatic Insurance CompanyJul 3, 2007Jul 3, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Jun 20, 2007Jun 20, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Southern Insurance CompanyJun 20, 2006Jun 20, 2007Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 19, 2006Jun 19, 2007Cancelled
Liability (BIPD)Canal Indemnity CompanyJun 20, 2005Jun 20, 2006Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 19, 2005Jun 19, 2006Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Acceptance Indemnity Insurance CoJun 19, 2004Jun 20, 2005Replaced by a new policy
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 19, 2004Jun 19, 2005Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Acceptance Indemnity Insurance CoMay 17, 2004Jun 19, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 19, 2003Jun 19, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over

Operating authority history

Every change FMCSA recorded to the company's license to operate, newest first.

  • Granted or reinstated
  • Warning, resolved
  • Revoked or suspended
  • Other
  1. Administrative correction Carrier
  2. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Dec 30, 2025 — the company kept its authority.

  3. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 20, 2022 — the company kept its authority.

  4. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 20, 2018 — the company kept its authority.

  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 15, 2017 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 17, 2016 — the company kept its authority.

  7. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 17, 2015 — the company kept its authority.

  8. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 20, 2014 — the company kept its authority.

  9. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 19, 2009 — the company kept its authority.

  10. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 23, 2008 — the company kept its authority.

  11. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 20, 2008 — the company kept its authority.

  12. Authority reinstated Carrier
  13. Authority revoked Carrier
  14. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 20, 2007 — the company kept its authority.

  15. Authority reinstated Carrier
  16. Authority revoked Carrier
  17. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 22, 2006 — the company kept its authority.

  18. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 21, 2005 — the company kept its authority.

  19. Authority reinstated Carrier
  20. Authority revoked Carrier
  21. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 21, 2004 — the company kept its authority.

  22. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 23 hours ago. Authority and insurance come from Motus, FMCSA's current registration system. This report reflects public federal data only; it is not an endorsement or a guarantee of service.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Liability insurance

    Carriers must keep at least $750,000 of liability coverage on file with the FMCSA. Most auto haulers carry $1,000,000.

  4. Broker bond

    Brokers must file a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund. It protects customers and carriers if the broker doesn't pay.

  5. Out-of-service orders

    An FMCSA order to stop operating — after failed safety audits, unpaid fines or an imminent hazard.

  6. Safety rating and crashes

    Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory after an FMCSA audit, plus crashes reported in the last 24 months.

  7. Time in business

    Scammers rarely keep a name for long. A registration only weeks or months old deserves extra caution.

  8. 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.