List your company

Free tool · FMCSA data updated daily

Car shipping company lookup: FMCSA, USDOT & MC

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

Chaparral Auto Transport Inc

USDOT 149693 MC-233295 Clearwater, FL (727) 531-6300

Email

No red flags in FMCSA records

The company is registered, authorized and insured. Still get the price and terms in writing before you pay anything.

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-233295.

  • Authority was revoked in the past (2001, 2015)

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

  • 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.

  • Satisfactory safety rating

    FMCSA audited the company and found its safety controls adequate (rated April 2004).

  • In business for 52 years

    Registered with FMCSA since June 1974.

  • Only 4 roadside inspections in the last 24 months

    Too few to compare with the national average. Vehicles were put out of service in 0% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 0% (national average 6.67%).

  • 1 reported crash in the last 24 months

    0 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 3 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
13950 62nd Street North, Clearwater, FL 33760
Phone
(727) 531-6300
Email
gary.chisholm@aol.com

Company

Legal name
Chaparral Auto Transport Inc
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Gary Chisholm, Donna Chisholm
Process agent (BOC-3)
Process Agent Service Company, Inc. — Sioux Falls, SD
USDOT issued
Jun 1, 1974
Last MCS-150 update
Sep 10, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
General freight, Motor vehicles
Trucks
3 power units
Drivers
3 (3 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
265,634 (2025)
Safety rating
Satisfactory (Apr 2004)

Safety record, last 24 months

4Roadside inspections
0%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
0%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 30, 2026GADriver only (III)2No
Apr 3, 2026KYWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 9, 2025KYWalk-around (II)1No
Aug 31, 2025TNDriver only (III)1No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Nov 16, 2024West Chester (township Of, OH00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Geico Marine Insurance Company9300165223$1,000,000Jun 16, 2025
CargoAgcs Marine Insurance CompanyMXI 93019935$5,000Jun 16, 2010

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)Progressive Express Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2024Jun 16, 2025Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Northland Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2018Jun 16, 2024Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Lancer Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2017Jun 16, 2018Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Sentry Select Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2015Jun 16, 2017Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Illinois National Insurance Co.Jun 16, 2014Jun 16, 2015Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2013Jun 16, 2014Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2012Jun 16, 2013Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2011Jun 16, 2012Replaced by a new policy
CargoAgcs Marine Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2010Jun 16, 2010Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Empire Fire & Marine Insurance Co.Jun 16, 2009Jun 16, 2011Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoFireman's Fund Insurance Co.Jun 16, 2008Jun 16, 2010Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Empire Fire & Marine Insurance Co.Jun 16, 2008Jun 16, 2009Replaced by a new policy
CargoAce Property And Casualty Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2007Jun 16, 2008Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Empire Fire & Marine Insurance Co.Jun 16, 2007Jun 16, 2008Replaced by a new policy
CargoAce Property And Casualty Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2005Jun 16, 2007Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)State Nationalspecialty Insco/national SpeciaJun 16, 2004Jun 16, 2007Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 15, 2004Jun 15, 2005Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonJun 15, 2004Jun 15, 2004Replaced by a new policy
CargoCanal Insurance Co.Mar 11, 2004Jun 16, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Diamond State Insurance CompanyMar 9, 2004Jun 16, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Diamond State Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2002Apr 19, 2004Name changed
Liability (BIPD)Platte River Insurance CompanyJun 16, 2000Jun 16, 2002Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoGreat American Insurance Company Of New YorkJun 16, 1998May 23, 2001Cancelled
CargoLumbermens Mutual Casualty Co.Jun 16, 1997Jun 16, 1998Replaced by a new policy
CargoGreat American Insurance Company Of New YorkJun 16, 1996Jul 23, 1997Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoSt. Paul Protective Insurance CompanyJun 16, 1995Aug 17, 1996Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. Of ConnecticutJun 16, 1991Jun 16, 2000Replaced by a new policy
CargoAmerican Motorists Insurance Co.May 10, 1991Jul 19, 1995Cancelled, 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. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 13, 2018 — the company kept its authority.

  2. Revocation notice Carrier

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

  3. Authority reinstated Carrier
  4. Authority revoked Carrier
  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 16, 2014 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 15, 2011 — the company kept its authority.

  7. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 21, 2010 — the company kept its authority.

  8. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 15, 2007 — the company kept its authority.

  9. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 9, 2005 — the company kept its authority.

  10. Authority reinstated Carrier
  11. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 22, 2004 — the company kept its authority.

  12. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 18, 2004 — the company kept its authority.

  13. Authority revoked Carrier
  14. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Sep 10, 1997 — the company kept its authority.

  15. Application dismissed Broker
  16. Authority granted Carrier
  17. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 17 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.