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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

Plycar LLC

Doing business as Plycar Automotive Logistics

USDOT 1465363 MC-553535 Kings Park, NY (631) 269-7000

Email

Check the flagged items before you book

2 things are 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-553535.

  • Authority was taken away in November 2025

    Authority revoked on Nov 10, 2025. It is active again now. The usual cause is lapsed insurance — ask for a current certificate of insurance.

  • Liability insurance on file

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

  • Cargo insurance on file

    A cargo policy — the one that pays if your car is damaged — is filed with FMCSA.

  • Insurance lapsed 1 time in the last 2 years

    A policy or bond was cancelled with no new one in place right away — usually over unpaid premiums. Coverage is on file now; see the insurance history below.

  • Satisfactory safety rating

    FMCSA audited the company and found its safety controls adequate (rated September 2014).

  • In business for 20 years

    Registered with FMCSA since February 2006.

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

    59 inspections in 24 months. Vehicles were put out of service in 26.7% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 10.2% (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.

  • 4 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    1 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 22 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
280 Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
Phone
(631) 269-7000
Fax
(631) 716-7350
Email
rlacey@plyconvanlines.com

Company

Legal name
Plycar LLC
Doing business as
Plycar Automotive Logistics
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Rich Lacey, Christopher Pliaconis
Process agent (BOC-3)
Service Of Process Agents, Inc. — Memphis, TN
USDOT issued
Feb 21, 2006
Last MCS-150 update
Mar 2, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
General freight, Household goods, Motor vehicles, New Furniture
Trucks
22 power units
Drivers
26 (26 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
2,600,010 (2025)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat
Safety rating
Satisfactory (Sep 2014)

Safety record, last 24 months

59Roadside inspections
26.7%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
10.2%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
4Crashes
1 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 24, 2026NEDriver only (III)2No
Aug 31, 2026CADriver only (III)1No
Aug 23, 2026FLDriver only (III)1No
Jul 16, 2026CAFull (Level I)0No
Jul 15, 2026LADriver only (III)2No
Jul 5, 2026UTDriver only (III)2No
Apr 18, 2026ARDriver only (III)0No
Feb 18, 2026CAFull (Level I)1No
Feb 13, 2026NYDriver only (III)0No
Feb 4, 2026NYWalk-around (II)0No
Jan 21, 2026TNFull (Level I)3Vehicle
Jan 18, 2026TNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 15, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
Jan 15, 2026WVWalk-around (II)2No
Jan 9, 2026CAFull (Level I)1Vehicle
Jan 8, 2026SCDriver only (III)0No
Jan 7, 2026INDriver only (III)3No
Dec 29, 2025ILDriver only (III)1No
Dec 20, 2025GADriver only (III)1No
Dec 16, 2025GADriver only (III)6No
Dec 5, 2025MSDriver only (III)0No
Dec 2, 2025NYWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 29, 2025GADriver only (III)1No
Nov 17, 2025NCDriver only (III)2Vehicle
Nov 14, 2025ORDriver only (III)1Vehicle
Nov 13, 2025NYDriver only (III)3Driver
Nov 13, 2025CAWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 12, 2025UTDriver only (III)0No
Oct 29, 2025ARDriver only (III)1No
Oct 2, 2025CADriver only (III)0No
Sep 30, 2025NVDriver only (III)0No
Sep 20, 2025GADriver only (III)1Driver
Sep 17, 2025NVDriver only (III)1No
Sep 5, 2025AZWalk-around (II)3Vehicle
Sep 2, 2025TNDriver only (III)0No
Aug 31, 2025MODriver only (III)1No
Aug 21, 2025SDDriver only (III)0No
Jul 30, 2025CODriver only (III)0No
Jul 25, 2025TNDriver only (III)1Driver
Jul 23, 2025CAFull (Level I)0No
Jul 22, 2025NMDriver only (III)0No
Jul 11, 2025NMWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 9, 2025AZDriver only (III)6Driver
Jun 6, 2025NYDriver only (III)2No
May 28, 2025MIDriver only (III)3No
May 14, 2025MDWalk-around (II)2No
May 9, 2025ARDriver only (III)2No
May 2, 2025ARDriver only (III)1No
Apr 9, 2025MDDriver only (III)0No
Mar 28, 2025GADriver only (III)2Driver
Mar 25, 2025CAFull (Level I)3No
Mar 18, 2025NMDriver only (III)0No
Mar 6, 2025NVDriver only (III)0No
Feb 14, 2025UTDriver only (III)1No
Feb 7, 2025WIWalk-around (II)4Vehicle & Driver
Jan 23, 2025NYDriver only (III)1No
Jan 21, 2025NMWalk-around (II)2No
Jan 17, 2025NYDriver only (III)0No
Dec 20, 2024GADriver only (III)1No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
May 7, 2026Unincorporated, FL00Yes
Apr 29, 2026Salome, AZ00Yes
Apr 28, 2026Branford, CT10No
Feb 10, 2025Los Angeles, CA00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)National Liability & Fire Ins Co.73TRB006581$1,000,000Feb 8, 2026
CargoLexington Insurance Company029177329—Apr 1, 2021

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)Employers Insurance Of Wausau, A Mutual Co.Nov 10, 2025Feb 8, 2026Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)American Alternative Insurance CorporationNov 10, 2023Nov 1, 2025Cancelled, no replacement
Liability (BIPD)Vanliner Insurance CompanyApr 1, 2021Dec 9, 2023Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Vanliner Insurance CompanyNov 11, 2020May 1, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoVanliner Insurance CompanyNov 11, 2020May 1, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Vanliner Insurance CompanyOct 28, 2013Nov 14, 2020Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoVanliner Insurance CompanyOct 28, 2013Nov 14, 2020Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Vanliner Insurance CompanyFeb 22, 2006Feb 21, 2006Replaced by a new policy
CargoVanliner Insurance CompanyFeb 22, 2006Feb 21, 2006Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Vanliner Insurance CompanyFeb 21, 2006Oct 28, 2013Name changed
CargoVanliner Insurance CompanyFeb 21, 2006Oct 28, 2013Name changed

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. Authority reinstated Carrier
  2. Authority revoked Carrier
  3. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on May 5, 2021 — the company kept its authority.

  4. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Nov 13, 2020 — the company kept its authority.

  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Oct 28, 2013 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 20 hours ago. Authority and insurance come from FMCSA's licensing records (this company hasn't had a status change since FMCSA moved to its new Motus system in 2026). 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.