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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

Lada Trans Inc

USDOT 2998381 MC-22756 Merrillville, IN (877) 779-0777

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-22756.

  • 5 revocation notices 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 9 years

    Registered with FMCSA since April 2017.

  • 1000 roadside inspections, out-of-service rate normal

    Vehicles were put out of service in 17.8% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 4.3% (national average 6.67%).

  • 19 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    8 with injuries, 1 fatal, across a fleet of 35 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
7930 Whitcomb St, Merrillville, IN 46410-4367
Phone
(877) 779-0777
Email
ladatranschicago@gmail.com

Company

Legal name
Lada Trans Inc
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Artem Archakov
USDOT issued
Apr 18, 2017
Last MCS-150 update
Feb 17, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
Motor vehicles, Drive-away / towaway
Trucks
35 power units
Drivers
35 (35 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
16,388,721 (2025)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat

Safety record, last 24 months

1000Roadside inspections
17.8%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
4.3%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
19Crashes
8 with injuries · 1 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 6, 2026CAWalk-around (II)8Vehicle
Oct 6, 2026MOFull (Level I)2No
Oct 5, 2026SCWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Oct 4, 2026OKFull (Level I)0No
Sep 30, 2026KYDriver only (III)2No
Sep 29, 2026USDriver only (III)0No
Sep 29, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Sep 28, 2026MTDriver only (III)0No
Sep 27, 2026ARFull (Level I)4No
Sep 25, 2026WAWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 24, 2026PADriver only (III)3No
Sep 24, 2026NVDriver only (III)0No
Sep 22, 2026MTDriver only (III)0No
Sep 21, 2026CADriver only (III)0No
Sep 21, 2026WYFull (Level I)4Vehicle
Sep 20, 2026MTFull (Level I)0No
Sep 17, 2026MTWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Sep 17, 2026TNFull (Level I)1Vehicle
Sep 17, 2026FLDriver only (III)1Driver
Sep 17, 2026KYDriver only (III)2No
Sep 15, 2026MIDriver only (III)2No
Sep 14, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Sep 12, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Sep 11, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Sep 10, 2026MTDriver only (III)1No
Sep 10, 2026MTDriver only (III)1No
Sep 8, 2026TNDriver only (III)0No
Sep 8, 2026SDWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Sep 6, 2026TXWalk-around (II)3No
Sep 6, 2026IADriver only (III)1Driver
Sep 6, 2026MIDriver only (III)1No
Sep 1, 2026OHWalk-around (II)3No
Aug 31, 2026KSDriver only (III)3No
Aug 31, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Aug 31, 2026CAFull (Level I)10Vehicle
Aug 30, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 27, 2026KYFull (Level I)0No
Aug 26, 2026IAFull (Level I)1No
Aug 25, 2026USFull (Level I)2No
Aug 20, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Aug 20, 2026IADriver only (III)1Driver
Aug 18, 2026KSWalk-around (II)3Vehicle
Aug 18, 2026TNWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Aug 16, 2026MOFull (Level I)1Vehicle
Aug 14, 2026MOWalk-around (II)6Vehicle & Driver
Aug 14, 2026NJFull (Level I)0No
Aug 12, 2026OHDriver only (III)0No
Aug 11, 2026MTDriver only (III)2No
Aug 11, 2026CADriver only (III)1No
Aug 10, 2026LAFull (Level I)2No
Aug 10, 2026KSFull (Level I)2Vehicle
Aug 10, 2026ILDriver only (III)0No
Aug 5, 2026GAFull (Level I)0No
Aug 4, 2026OHDriver only (III)1No
Aug 2, 2026ARFull (Level I)0No
Jul 30, 2026CADriver only (III)0No
Jul 29, 2026WAFull (Level I)0No
Jul 29, 2026WVWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 28, 2026MODriver only (III)0No
Jul 27, 2026TNFull (Level I)1No
Jul 27, 2026ARFull (Level I)1Driver
Jul 27, 2026PAWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 25, 2026ILFull (Level I)0No
Jul 24, 2026FLFull (Level I)1No
Jul 23, 2026TNWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 23, 2026SCDriver only (III)4No
Jul 22, 2026NYWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 22, 2026MOWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 22, 2026MADriver only (III)4No
Jul 21, 2026LAFull (Level I)5Vehicle
Jul 21, 2026NCFull (Level I)0No
Jul 20, 2026CODriver only (III)1Driver
Jul 20, 2026MTDriver only (III)1No
Jul 18, 2026MOWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 18, 2026GAFull (Level I)0No
Jul 17, 2026KSFull (Level I)8No
Jul 17, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Jul 16, 2026TNWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 15, 2026SDDriver only (III)0No
Jul 14, 2026KSFull (Level I)2Vehicle
Jul 10, 2026KYFull (Level I)0No
Jul 9, 2026NCFull (Level I)0No
Jul 7, 2026PAFull (Level I)1No
Jul 4, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Jul 4, 2026IAFull (Level I)2No
Jul 4, 2026SCDriver only (III)3No
Jul 3, 2026OHWalk-around (II)3Driver
Jun 30, 2026CODriver only (III)0No
Jun 30, 2026KSWalk-around (II)3Vehicle
Jun 28, 2026TNFull (Level I)0No
Jun 28, 2026NEDriver only (III)0No
Jun 26, 2026NCFull (Level I)0No
Jun 25, 2026NCFull (Level I)0No
Jun 25, 2026MODriver only (III)1No
Jun 25, 2026PADriver only (III)1No
Jun 24, 2026NCFull (Level I)0No
Jun 23, 2026ALFull (Level I)1No
Jun 19, 2026LAFull (Level I)2Vehicle
Jun 17, 2026WAFull (Level I)1No
Jun 17, 2026OKFull (Level I)3No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Jun 22, 2026Paducah, KY10Yes
Jun 17, 2026Seattle, WA00Yes
Jan 10, 2026Pittsburgh City, PA00Yes
Dec 19, 2025Barr Township, PA00Yes
Dec 16, 2025Huntington Beach, CA00Yes
Dec 12, 2025Jarvis Twp, IL00Yes
Aug 23, 2025Elmhurst, IL00Yes
Aug 11, 2025Memphis, TN21Yes
May 12, 2025Billings, OK20Yes
Apr 5, 2025New Berlin Twp, IL00Yes
Mar 22, 2025Casa Grande, AZ10Yes
Mar 9, 2025St Louis, MO00Yes
Feb 19, 2025Lavergne, TN10Yes
Feb 7, 2025Chicago, IL30Yes
Dec 17, 2024Silver Creek, MN00Yes
Dec 17, 2024Mccandless Township, PA00Yes
Nov 10, 2024North Sewickley Township, PA00Yes
Oct 20, 2024Jacksonville, NC10Yes
Oct 19, 2024Weston, MA10Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)National Indemnity Company70TRB006738$1,000,000May 18, 2026

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)National Specialty Insurance CompanyMay 18, 2026May 18, 2026
Liability (BIPD)National Specialty Insurance CompanySep 3, 2025May 18, 2026Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)State Nationalspecialty Insco/national SpeciaMay 18, 2025Sep 3, 2025Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)State Nationalspecialty Insco/national SpeciaJul 24, 2024May 18, 2025Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)State Nationalspecialty Insco/national SpeciaMay 18, 2024Jul 24, 2024Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Progressive Southeastern Insurance CompanyMay 2, 2024May 18, 2024Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Everspan Indemnity Insurance CompanyDec 17, 2023May 2, 2024Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Hoxbridge Insurance Company IncDec 16, 2022Dec 16, 2023Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Amguard Insurance CompanyAug 4, 2021Dec 16, 2022Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Amguard Insurance CompanyDec 4, 2020Aug 15, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Northland Insurance CompanyJun 14, 2020Jan 9, 2021Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Stonegate Insurance CompanyJun 14, 2019Jun 14, 2020Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Stonegate Insurance CompanyJun 14, 2018Jun 14, 2019Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Stonegate Insurance CompanyAug 17, 2017Jun 14, 2018Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Stonegate Insurance CompanyJun 14, 2017Aug 17, 2017Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)National Liability & Fire Ins Co.Apr 22, 2017Jul 11, 2017Cancelled, 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 May 15, 2026 — the company kept its authority.

  2. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on May 20, 2025 — the company kept its authority.

  3. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jul 25, 2024 — the company kept its authority.

  4. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on May 1, 2024 — the company kept its authority.

  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Dec 19, 2023 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Revocation notice Carrier

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

  7. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 10, 2020 — the company kept its authority.

  8. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jun 14, 2018 — the company kept its authority.

  9. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jul 25, 2017 — the company kept its authority.

  10. Revocation notice Carrier

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

  11. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 21 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.