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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 & broker

Mid-western Car Carriers Inc

USDOT 244002 MC-174127 Kansas City, MO (816) 836-5888

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-174127.

  • Authority was revoked in the past (2015)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 June 2010).

  • In business for 42 years

    Registered with FMCSA since March 1984.

  • 98 roadside inspections, out-of-service rate above average

    Vehicles were put out of service in 31.6% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 0% (national average 6.67%). The difference rests on only a few inspections, so treat it as a hint rather than a verdict.

  • 10 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    2 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 128 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
2010 S Television Place, Kansas City, MO 64126
Phone
(816) 836-5888
Fax
(816) 836-2096
Email
rwills@mwcci.com

Company

Legal name
Mid-western Car Carriers Inc
Business type
Private property, authorized for hire
Company officers
Ed Vaughn, Randall Wills
Process agent (BOC-3)
#1 A $20 Boc-3 Filing LLC — Denver, CO
USDOT issued
Mar 26, 1984
Last MCS-150 update
Sep 21, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
Motor vehicles, Drive-away / towaway, Automobiles
Trucks
128 power units
Drivers
86 (86 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
5,948,995 (2025)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat
Safety rating
Satisfactory (Jun 2010)

Safety record, last 24 months

98Roadside inspections
31.6%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
0%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
10Crashes
2 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 22, 2026OHWalk-around (II)2No
Sep 15, 2026MOWalk-around (II)4No
Sep 4, 2026MSWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 25, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Aug 20, 2026IADriver only (III)3No
Aug 18, 2026IAWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Aug 17, 2026MOWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Aug 17, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Aug 7, 2026IADriver only (III)2No
Jul 25, 2026MODriver only (III)1No
Jul 20, 2026ILDriver only (III)0No
Jul 16, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Jul 6, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Jun 26, 2026IAWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Jun 19, 2026MSDriver only (III)1No
Jun 16, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Jun 15, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
Jun 2, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
May 29, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
May 23, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
May 13, 2026ALDriver only (III)1No
May 4, 2026IADriver only (III)2No
May 4, 2026IADriver only (III)0No
Apr 28, 2026MODriver only (III)1No
Apr 21, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Apr 16, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Apr 13, 2026MSFull (Level I)1No
Apr 6, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Mar 18, 2026MIDriver only (III)1No
Mar 9, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Mar 9, 2026MOWalk-around (II)0No
Feb 19, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Feb 17, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Feb 12, 2026MODriver only (III)1No
Feb 11, 2026KSWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Jan 29, 2026NEDriver only (III)0No
Jan 22, 2026MIWalk-around (II)1No
Jan 16, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
Jan 15, 2026MSDriver only (III)1No
Jan 12, 2026MSWalk-around (II)1No
Dec 30, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Dec 22, 2025IAWalk-around (II)2No
Dec 19, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Dec 11, 2025FLDriver only (III)0No
Dec 6, 2025LADriver only (III)0No
Dec 3, 2025MIWalk-around (II)1No
Nov 25, 2025MOWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Nov 24, 2025OKWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 19, 2025TNDriver only (III)0No
Nov 18, 2025KSDriver only (III)0No
Nov 13, 2025INDriver only (III)1No
Nov 7, 2025MOWalk-around (II)1No
Nov 5, 2025MODriver only (III)1No
Nov 1, 2025IAWalk-around (II)1No
Oct 24, 2025MSDriver only (III)0No
Oct 21, 2025IAWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Oct 16, 2025LAWalk-around (II)0No
Oct 13, 2025KSWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 19, 2025IADriver only (III)6No
Sep 18, 2025MSDriver only (III)0No
Sep 8, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Sep 7, 2025MOWalk-around (II)3No
Sep 2, 2025MOWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Aug 29, 2025MODriver only (III)0No
Aug 14, 2025MSDriver only (III)0No
Aug 4, 2025MOWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Aug 1, 2025LADriver only (III)0No
Jul 26, 2025IADriver only (III)2No
Jul 23, 2025ILDriver only (III)1No
Jul 11, 2025MSWalk-around (II)1No
Jun 23, 2025MOWalk-around (II)3Vehicle
Jun 20, 2025MIDriver only (III)0No
Jun 18, 2025ILDriver only (III)0No
May 29, 2025GADriver only (III)1No
May 22, 2025MSFull (Level I)0No
May 21, 2025MOWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
May 17, 2025MSWalk-around (II)0No
May 16, 2025MSWalk-around (II)0No
May 14, 2025IAWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
May 9, 2025KSDriver only (III)0No
May 6, 2025MSWalk-around (II)0No
May 2, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Apr 3, 2025LAWalk-around (II)1No
Mar 13, 2025ILDriver only (III)0No
Mar 12, 2025KSWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 4, 2025MOWalk-around (II)5Vehicle
Feb 27, 2025FLDriver only (III)0No
Feb 14, 2025KSDriver only (III)1No
Feb 6, 2025IADriver only (III)2No
Jan 14, 2025LAWalk-around (II)0No
Dec 13, 2024MODriver only (III)2No
Dec 6, 2024MOWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 29, 2024MSWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 22, 2024OKDriver only (III)1No
Nov 14, 2024MSWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 14, 2024TNDriver only (III)0No
Oct 25, 2024MODriver only (III)0No
Oct 22, 2024IADriver only (III)2No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Jun 26, 2026Waynesville, MO00Yes
Feb 10, 2026Carthage, MS10Yes
Dec 16, 2025Detroit, MI10Yes
Nov 20, 2025Joplin, MO00Yes
Sep 29, 2025Pittsfield Twp, MI00Yes
Aug 7, 2025Detroit, MI00Yes
Jul 15, 2025Attalla, AL00Yes
May 25, 2025Warren, MS00Yes
Feb 25, 2025Randolph, MO00Yes
Dec 13, 2024Warren, MI00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Third Coast Insurance CompanyFNCAP00024800$1,000,000Dec 19, 2025
Liability (BIPD)Third Coast Insurance CompanyFNCAP00024800$1,000,000Dec 19, 2025

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)Canal Insurance Co.Dec 19, 2023Dec 19, 2025Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Dec 19, 2021Dec 19, 2023Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Dec 19, 2021May 1, 2022Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)National Casualty CompanyDec 19, 2019Dec 19, 2021Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Sep 16, 2019Dec 19, 2019Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Canal Insurance Co.Dec 19, 2016Sep 16, 2019Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Arch Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2015Dec 19, 2016Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Arch Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2013Dec 19, 2015Replaced by a new policy
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Old Republic Surety CompanyOct 1, 2013Feb 19, 2015Cancelled, no replacement
Liability (BIPD)Arch Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2012Dec 19, 2013Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Arch Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2011Dec 19, 2012Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2010Dec 19, 2011Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2009Dec 19, 2010Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyDec 19, 2008Dec 19, 2009Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Sparta Insurance CompanyDec 16, 2008Dec 19, 2008Replaced by a new policy
CargoLexington Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2008Jan 20, 2012Cancelled
Liability (BIPD)The Insurance Co Of The State Of PennsylvaniaMar 29, 2008Dec 19, 2008Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Stonington Insurance CompanyNov 2, 2007Mar 29, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoStonington Insurance CompanyNov 2, 2007Mar 29, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Stonington Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2007Nov 2, 2007Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoStonington Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2007Nov 2, 2007Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoNew York Marine & General Ins. Co.Mar 29, 2006Mar 29, 2007Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Lincoln General Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2005Mar 30, 2007Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonMar 29, 2005Mar 29, 2006Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonMar 29, 2004Mar 29, 2005Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Lincoln General Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2004Mar 29, 2005Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Lancer Insurance CompanyMar 29, 2003Mar 29, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnderwriters At Lloyds LondonMar 29, 2003Mar 29, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.Mar 6, 2002Mar 29, 2003Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnited States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.Mar 6, 2002Mar 29, 2003Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.Mar 6, 2001May 1, 2002Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoUnited States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.Mar 6, 2001May 1, 2002Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD), excessUnited States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.Mar 6, 2001May 1, 2002Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoNational Union Fire Ins. Co. Of Pitsbgh. PaSep 1, 2000Mar 6, 2001Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Pennsylvania General Insurance CompanyMar 6, 1999Apr 10, 2001Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoPennsylvania General Insurance CompanyMar 6, 1999Sep 1, 2000Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)International Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Apr 15, 1998Mar 6, 1999Replaced by a new policy
CargoInternational Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Apr 15, 1998Mar 6, 1999Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)International Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Mar 19, 1998Apr 15, 1998Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoInternational Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Mar 19, 1998Apr 15, 1998Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Hartford Fire Insurance CompanyDec 19, 1997Oct 1, 2013Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)International Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Apr 15, 1997Mar 19, 1998Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoInternational Business & Merc. Reass. Co.Apr 15, 1997Mar 19, 1998Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Occidental Fire And Casualty Co. Of N.c.Mar 6, 1991Apr 15, 1997Replaced by a new policy

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 8, 2021 — the company kept its authority.

  2. Authority revoked Broker
  3. Authority granted Broker
  4. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 31, 2008 — the company kept its authority.

  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Oct 31, 2007 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Apr 2, 2007 — the company kept its authority.

  7. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 31, 2006 — the company kept its authority.

  8. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 30, 2005 — the company kept its authority.

  9. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Apr 7, 2004 — the company kept its authority.

  10. Authority granted Broker
  11. Authority granted Carrier
  12. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 27, 1989 — the company kept its authority.

  13. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 20 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.