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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

Us Autologistics, L.l.c.

Doing business as Usal

USDOT 357779 MC-226461 Houston, TX (713) 580-3623

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 and as a broker under MC-226461.

  • Authority was taken away in October 2026

    Authority suspended by FMCSA on Oct 8, 2026: filing cancellation effective; no active BOC-3 and no active insurance meeting minimum coverage on file. It is active again now. The usual cause is lapsed insurance — ask for a current certificate of insurance.

  • Liability insurance on file

    $7,500,000 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 November 1990).

  • In business for 37 years

    Registered with FMCSA since June 1989.

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

    Vehicles were put out of service in 9% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 0% (national average 6.67%).

  • 25 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    5 with injuries, 1 fatal, across a fleet of 382 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
21021 Essman Lane, Houston, TX 77073
Phone
(713) 580-3623
Cell phone
(346) 432-9310
Fax
(713) 580-5880
Email
awilson@usal.com

Company

Legal name
Us Autologistics, L.l.c.
Doing business as
Usal
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Gary Cole, Aimee Wilson
Process agent (BOC-3)
Evilsizor Process Servers Inc — Littleton, CO
USDOT issued
Jun 16, 1989
Last MCS-150 update
Sep 14, 2026

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
General freight, Motor vehicles
Trucks
382 power units
Drivers
353 (297 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
28,347,659 (2025)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat
Safety rating
Satisfactory (Nov 1990)

Safety record, last 24 months

273Roadside inspections
9%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
0%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
25Crashes
5 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 9, 2026TXDriver only (III)2Vehicle
Oct 8, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Oct 8, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Oct 6, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
Oct 3, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 28, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 28, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Sep 25, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 23, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
Sep 22, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Sep 15, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 11, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 9, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Sep 7, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 7, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Sep 5, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 2, 2026LAWalk-around (II)0No
Sep 1, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 27, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Aug 27, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 27, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
Aug 26, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Aug 25, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Aug 18, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 18, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 12, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 9, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 8, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 7, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
Aug 7, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 6, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 5, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
Aug 4, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Aug 3, 2026TXFull (Level I)3Vehicle
Jul 30, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 30, 2026ALDriver only (III)0No
Jul 29, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Jul 27, 2026TXDriver only (III)0No
Jul 27, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Jul 23, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
Jul 21, 2026TXDriver only (III)1No
Jul 17, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 13, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 9, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 8, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 8, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Jul 3, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 30, 2026TXSpecial (IV)1No
Jun 30, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Jun 25, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 23, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 21, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 19, 2026TXWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Jun 17, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 14, 2026TXDriver only (III)0No
Jun 11, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 11, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 9, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 6, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Jun 5, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
May 28, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
May 22, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
May 22, 2026GADriver only (III)3No
May 19, 2026TXWalk-around (II)2No
May 18, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1Vehicle
May 16, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
May 14, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
May 13, 2026TXWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
May 13, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
May 13, 2026ALDriver only (III)0No
May 9, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
May 8, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
May 6, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Apr 23, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Apr 22, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
Apr 22, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 21, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No
Apr 17, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 17, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 15, 2026ARDriver only (III)1No
Apr 15, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 15, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 14, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 14, 2026ARFull (Level I)0No
Apr 9, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Apr 9, 2026LADriver only (III)1No
Apr 7, 2026TXDriver only (III)0No
Apr 6, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 3, 2026LAWalk-around (II)1No
Apr 1, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Apr 1, 2026TXFull (Level I)0No
Apr 1, 2026MSFull (Level I)2No
Mar 26, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 26, 2026GADriver only (III)1No
Mar 25, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 25, 2026TXWalk-around (II)0No
Mar 20, 2026LADriver only (III)0No
Mar 20, 2026MSFull (Level I)0No
Mar 16, 2026TXWalk-around (II)1No
Mar 16, 2026MSDriver only (III)0No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Jun 22, 2026Paris, TX00Yes
Jun 16, 2026Beaumont, TX00Yes
May 7, 2026Not Listed, TX00Yes
May 1, 2026Not Listed, TX00Yes
Apr 28, 2026Not Listed, TX00Yes
Apr 9, 2026Houston, TX10No
Mar 27, 2026Dallas, TX00Yes
Mar 23, 2026Not Listed, TX30Yes
Mar 22, 2026Not Listed, TX00Yes
Feb 24, 2026Waco, TX00Yes
Feb 19, 2026Pontotoc, MS00Yes
Feb 11, 2026Not Listed, TX00Yes
Oct 29, 2025Not Listed, TX01No
Oct 5, 2025Rural, LA00Yes
Sep 24, 2025Huntsville, TX00Yes
Sep 16, 2025Alexandria, LA00Yes
Jul 25, 2025Grapevine, TX00Yes
Apr 29, 2025Houston, TX40Yes
Apr 3, 2025Atlanta, GA00Yes
Mar 1, 2025Not Listed, TX00Yes
Feb 28, 2025Hutto, TX00Yes
Feb 12, 2025Nacogdoches, TX10Yes
Feb 3, 2025Fort Worth, TX00Yes
Dec 10, 2024Dallas, TX00Yes
Dec 10, 2024Not Listed, TX10No

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Federal Insurance CompanyISAH10753363$7,500,000Jun 1, 2026
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Liberty Mutual Insurance Company022247449$75,000Oct 7, 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
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Lm Insurance CorporationOct 1, 2013Oct 7, 2026Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.Jan 28, 2013Oct 1, 2013Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Ace American Insurance CompanyNov 16, 2012Oct 7, 2026Cancelled, another policy took over
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Safeco Insurance Company Of AmericaApr 10, 2008Jan 28, 2013Name changed
Liability (BIPD)Ace American Insurance CompanyMar 1, 2008Jan 28, 2013Name changed
Broker surety bond (BMC-84)Safeco Insurance Company Of AmericaMar 7, 2003Apr 9, 2008Name changed
Liability (BIPD)Ace American Insurance CompanyMar 1, 2003Apr 9, 2008Name changed
Liability (BIPD)Pacific Employers Insurance Co.Jan 19, 2000Feb 16, 2003Name changed
Liability (BIPD)The Insurance Company Of North AmericaMar 1, 1993Jan 19, 2000Cancelled, 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. Administrative correction Carrier
  2. Authority reinstated Broker
  3. Authority suspended by FMCSA Carrier

    Filing cancellation effective; no active BOC-3 and no active insurance meeting minimum coverage on file.

  4. Authority suspended by FMCSA Broker

    Filing cancellation effective; no active BOC-3 and no active insurance meeting minimum coverage on file.

  5. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Jan 10, 2013 — the company kept its authority.

  6. Revocation notice Broker

    Resolved on Jan 14, 2013 — the company kept its authority.

  7. Authority reinstated Carrier
  8. Authority reinstated Broker
  9. Authority revoked Broker
  10. Authority revoked Carrier
  11. Authority granted Broker
  12. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Apr 28, 2003 — the company kept its authority.

  13. Revocation notice Carrier

    Resolved on Apr 13, 2000 — the company kept its authority.

  14. 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.