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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

Sam Auto Trans LLC

USDOT 2520572 MC-874947 Twinsburg, OH (330) 800-3846

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-874947.

  • Authority was revoked in the past (2015, 2016)

    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 12 years

    Registered with FMCSA since July 2014.

  • 190 roadside inspections, out-of-service rate normal

    Vehicles were put out of service in 21.8% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 5.3% (national average 6.67%).

  • 14 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    6 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 76 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
2288 E Aurora Rd, Twinsburg, OH 44087
Phone
(330) 800-3846
Email
safety@samautotrans.com

Company

Legal name
Sam Auto Trans LLC
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Adam Siddiq
Process agent (BOC-3)
# 1 Ace Licensing & Permit Services LLC — Columbus, GA
USDOT issued
Jul 1, 2014
Last MCS-150 update
Oct 8, 2025

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
General freight, Motor vehicles, Paper products
Trucks
76 power units
Drivers
76 (76 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
12,000,000 (2024)

Safety record, last 24 months

190Roadside inspections
21.8%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
5.3%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
14Crashes
6 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
Oct 3, 2026NEDriver only (III)2No
Sep 28, 2026NMDriver only (III)0No
Sep 18, 2026KSWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 16, 2026MAFull (Level I)4No
Sep 14, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 13, 2026IADriver only (III)1Driver
Sep 11, 2026TNFull (Level I)2Vehicle
Sep 10, 2026CAFull (Level I)0No
Sep 7, 2026MOFull (Level I)8Vehicle
Aug 28, 2026OHFull (Level I)1Vehicle
Aug 21, 2026LADriver only (III)2No
Aug 21, 2026WVDriver only (III)2No
Aug 18, 2026NMFull (Level I)0No
Aug 13, 2026ILDriver only (III)0No
Aug 12, 2026LADriver only (III)2No
Aug 3, 2026SCDriver only (III)0No
Jul 25, 2026GAFull (Level I)3No
Jul 17, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
Jul 13, 2026MOWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 6, 2026NJDriver only (III)0No
Jul 5, 2026INDriver only (III)1No
Jun 27, 2026ARDriver only (III)0No
Jun 27, 2026TNDriver only (III)0No
Jun 26, 2026NEDriver only (III)2No
Jun 24, 2026MNFull (Level I)2No
Jun 22, 2026ILDriver only (III)0No
Jun 17, 2026UTFull (Level I)6No
Jun 11, 2026PADriver only (III)3No
Jun 10, 2026KSWalk-around (II)2No
Jun 2, 2026CAFull (Level I)1No
May 22, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
May 21, 2026ARDriver only (III)0No
May 21, 2026KYWalk-around (II)4Vehicle
May 21, 2026ORDriver only (III)1Driver
May 20, 2026NVDriver only (III)0No
May 18, 2026UTDriver only (III)1Driver
May 13, 2026AZDriver only (III)2No
Apr 30, 2026MDDriver only (III)0No
Apr 28, 2026AZWalk-around (II)4Driver
Apr 24, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Apr 24, 2026GAWalk-around (II)26No
Apr 24, 2026INDriver only (III)2No
Apr 22, 2026NMWalk-around (II)1No
Apr 16, 2026CODriver only (III)0No
Apr 15, 2026OHDriver only (III)0No
Apr 10, 2026LAWalk-around (II)2No
Apr 4, 2026NDWalk-around (II)1No
Apr 2, 2026NMWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 30, 2026CODriver only (III)1No
Mar 26, 2026KSDriver only (III)1No
Mar 26, 2026NMWalk-around (II)1No
Mar 25, 2026KSWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 24, 2026IAWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Mar 24, 2026UTDriver only (III)0No
Mar 12, 2026KSWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 12, 2026KSDriver only (III)1No
Mar 11, 2026CODriver only (III)0No
Mar 9, 2026KSDriver only (III)0No
Mar 6, 2026PADriver only (III)0No
Mar 3, 2026MOWalk-around (II)7Driver
Mar 3, 2026LADriver only (III)1No
Mar 2, 2026CADriver only (III)1No
Feb 26, 2026USWalk-around (II)0No
Feb 25, 2026KSFull (Level I)1No
Feb 22, 2026CODriver only (III)0No
Feb 20, 2026COWalk-around (II)3No
Feb 18, 2026UTDriver only (III)0No
Feb 15, 2026AZWalk-around (II)3Vehicle
Feb 11, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Feb 10, 2026NCDriver only (III)0No
Feb 9, 2026TXDriver only (III)0No
Feb 4, 2026TNDriver only (III)0No
Feb 4, 2026CODriver only (III)1No
Jan 29, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Jan 27, 2026GADriver only (III)2No
Jan 27, 2026UTFull (Level I)0No
Jan 22, 2026ARDriver only (III)1No
Jan 20, 2026WAWalk-around (II)1No
Jan 19, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Jan 17, 2026WAWalk-around (II)0No
Jan 16, 2026COWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Jan 15, 2026ALFull (Level I)5Vehicle
Jan 12, 2026PADriver only (III)0No
Jan 9, 2026OHDriver only (III)1Driver
Jan 5, 2026SCDriver only (III)0No
Dec 31, 2025IADriver only (III)2No
Dec 29, 2025ARWalk-around (II)0No
Dec 23, 2025COWalk-around (II)0No
Dec 23, 2025AZWalk-around (II)3Driver
Dec 18, 2025NMWalk-around (II)3No
Dec 15, 2025TXWalk-around (II)0No
Dec 12, 2025MODriver only (III)1No
Dec 12, 2025NEDriver only (III)0No
Dec 11, 2025KSWalk-around (II)0No
Dec 11, 2025NMDriver only (III)1No
Dec 5, 2025KSWalk-around (II)1No
Dec 4, 2025MODriver only (III)2No
Nov 27, 2025NMDriver only (III)0No
Nov 20, 2025GADriver only (III)0No
Nov 20, 2025NMDriver only (III)0No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Sep 16, 2026Hopkinton, MA00Yes
Aug 25, 2026Kiowa, OK00Yes
Jun 29, 2026Edison, NJ00Yes
Jun 10, 2026Not Listed, TX10Yes
Apr 24, 2026Stockbridge, GA20Yes
Apr 10, 2026Bloomfield, NM10Yes
Feb 4, 2026Not In City Limit, TN20Yes
Dec 20, 2025Non-city Or Unincorporate, MO00Yes
Dec 12, 2025Aurora, CO00Yes
Jul 16, 2025Liberty (township Of), OH40Yes
May 16, 2025Elizabethtown, KY00Yes
Feb 19, 2025Tulsa, OK00Yes
Feb 18, 2025Conway, AR00Yes
Jan 22, 2025Not Listed, TX10Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Sentry Select Insurance CompanyA0225097001$1,000,000Jul 8, 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)Sentry Select Insurance CompanyJul 8, 2023Jul 8, 2025Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Freedom Specialty Insurance CompanyApr 19, 2023Jul 8, 2023Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Freedom Specialty Insurance CompanyJul 8, 2022Apr 19, 2023Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Houston Specialty Insurance CompanyJul 8, 2021Jul 8, 2022Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Progressive Preferred Insurance Co.Feb 26, 2020Jul 9, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Progressive Preferred Insurance Co.Dec 29, 2015Jun 25, 2016Cancelled, no replacement
Liability (BIPD)Grange Indemnity Insurance CompanyJul 21, 2014Oct 3, 2015Cancelled, no replacement

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 Jul 8, 2025 — the company kept its authority.

  2. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jul 7, 2023 — the company kept its authority.

  3. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Apr 4, 2023 — the company kept its authority.

  4. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jul 8, 2021 — the company kept its authority.

  5. Authority reinstated Carrier
  6. Authority revoked Carrier
  7. Authority reinstated Carrier
  8. Application dismissed Carrier
  9. Authority revoked Carrier
  10. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 22 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.