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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

Carstensen & Sons Trucking Inc

USDOT 285579 MC-980779MC-195502 Cannon Falls, MN (651) 437-2783

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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 and as a broker under MC-980779, MC-195502.

  • Authority was revoked in the past (2008)

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

  • Liability insurance on file

    $750,000 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.

  • Broker bond on file

    The $75,000 broker surety bond or trust fund (BMC-84/85) required by FMCSA is in place.

  • Satisfactory safety rating

    FMCSA audited the company and found its safety controls adequate (rated May 1988).

  • In business for 39 years

    Registered with FMCSA since January 1987.

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

    Vehicles were put out of service in 17.6% 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 42 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
700 Cannon Industrial Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
Phone
(651) 437-2783
Cell phone
(651) 285-2741
Fax
(651) 437-7787
Email
dispatch@carstensentrucking.com

Company

Legal name
Carstensen & Sons Trucking Inc
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Matt Carstensen, Gail Carstensen
Process agent (BOC-3)
Process Agent Service Company, Inc. — Sioux Falls, SD
USDOT issued
Jan 14, 1987
Last MCS-150 update
Sep 16, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
Motor vehicles, Dry bulk, Unspecified
Trucks
42 power units
Drivers
39 (39 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
2,863,829 (2025)
Safety rating
Satisfactory (May 1988)

Safety record, last 24 months

51Roadside inspections
17.6%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
Oct 2, 2026MNFull (Level I)1Vehicle
Oct 2, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Sep 30, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Sep 24, 2026MNDriver only (III)3No
Sep 16, 2026MNDriver only (III)2No
Aug 31, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Aug 26, 2026IADriver only (III)1No
Aug 12, 2026MNWalk-around (II)1No
Aug 12, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jul 27, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jul 13, 2026MNFull (Level I)3Vehicle
Jun 25, 2026MNDriver only (III)2No
Jun 16, 2026SDWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
May 29, 2026IADriver only (III)2No
May 27, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
May 21, 2026SDDriver only (III)1No
May 6, 2026MNDriver only (III)4No
Apr 29, 2026MNFull (Level I)3No
Apr 17, 2026MNFull (Level I)1No
Mar 26, 2026WIDriver only (III)1No
Mar 4, 2026MNDriver only (III)2No
Feb 13, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Feb 2, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 23, 2026NDDriver only (III)0No
Nov 25, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Nov 4, 2025WIWalk-around (II)1No
Oct 30, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Oct 20, 2025MNFull (Level I)11No
Oct 1, 2025MNDriver only (III)2No
Sep 19, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Aug 13, 2025SDDriver only (III)0No
Aug 13, 2025MNFull (Level I)0No
Aug 4, 2025SDDriver only (III)1No
Jul 31, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Jul 17, 2025MNFull (Level I)4No
Jul 16, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Jul 10, 2025MNFull (Level I)0No
Jul 9, 2025MNFull (Level I)0No
Jun 30, 2025IAWalk-around (II)1No
May 21, 2025IADriver only (III)1No
Apr 3, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Feb 10, 2025NDWalk-around (II)0No
Jan 10, 2025MNDriver only (III)0No
Jan 9, 2025WIDriver only (III)1No
Jan 2, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 2, 2025MOWalk-around (II)1No
Dec 26, 2024MNWalk-around (II)2No
Dec 23, 2024IADriver only (III)2No
Nov 21, 2024NDWalk-around (II)0No
Nov 12, 2024SDDriver only (III)1No
Nov 12, 2024SDDriver only (III)0No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Oct 20, 2025Owatonna, MN00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
CargoIntegrity Insurance CompanyCPP2698012$5,000Dec 1, 2016
Liability (BIPD)Integrity Insurance CompanyCA 2698012$750,000Dec 1, 2016
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company7901265733$75,000Jul 29, 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
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Hudson Insurance CompanyJul 29, 2023Jul 29, 2025Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Hudson Insurance CompanyJul 29, 2021Jul 29, 2023Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Hudson Insurance CompanyJul 29, 2020Aug 1, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)American Contractors Indemnity CompanyJul 29, 2016Jul 29, 2020Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Auto Owners Insurance CompanyDec 1, 2011Dec 30, 2016Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Western National Mutual Insurance Co.Dec 1, 2007Jan 4, 2012Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoWestern National Mutual Insurance Co.Dec 1, 2007Jan 4, 2012Cancelled
Liability (BIPD)Acuity, A Mutual Insurance CompanyMar 1, 2005Jan 16, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoAcuity, A Mutual Insurance CompanyMar 1, 2005Jan 16, 2008Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Carolina Casualty Insurance Co.Jun 1, 2004Apr 11, 2005Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Carolina Casualty Insurance Co.Jun 1, 2003Jun 1, 2004Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Auto Owners Insurance CompanyJun 1, 1998Jun 1, 2003Replaced by a new policy
CargoAuto Owners Insurance CompanyApr 8, 1998Mar 1, 2005Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Auto Owners Insurance CompanyJun 1, 1995Jun 1, 1998Replaced by a new policy
CargoAuto Owners Insurance CompanyJun 1, 1995Apr 8, 1998Replaced by a new policy
CargoNorthland Insurance CompanyJun 15, 1992Jul 7, 1995Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Northland Insurance CompanyJun 15, 1992Jul 7, 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 Broker

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

  2. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Dec 8, 2016 — the company kept its authority.

  3. Authority granted Broker
  4. Revocation notice resolved Broker
  5. Authority reinstated Carrier
  6. Authority revoked Carrier
  7. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Mar 18, 2005 — the company kept its authority.

  8. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on May 26, 2004 — the company kept its authority.

  9. 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.