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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

Express Auto Transport Inc

USDOT 653539 MC-306988 Farmington, MN (952) 403-9778

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-306988.

  • 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 November 2013).

  • In business for 30 years

    Registered with FMCSA since August 1996.

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

    Vehicles were put out of service in 55.6% of inspections (national average 22.26%), drivers in 2.9% (national average 6.67%). The difference rests on only a few inspections, so treat it as a hint rather than a verdict.

  • 2 reported crashes in the last 24 months

    1 with injuries, 0 fatal, across a fleet of 37 trucks. Crash reports don't say who was at fault.

Company details

Contact

Address
22015 Canton Ct, Farmington, MN 55024
Phone
(952) 403-9778
Email
rbailey@expressautotrans.com

Company

Legal name
Express Auto Transport Inc
Business type
Authorized for hire
Company officers
Richard Bailey, Traci Bailey
Process agent (BOC-3)
Process Agent Service Company, Inc. — Sioux Falls, SD
USDOT issued
Aug 7, 1996
Last MCS-150 update
Sep 22, 2025

Operations

Operation
Interstate (can cross state lines)
Cargo it hauls
General freight, Motor vehicles
Trucks
37 power units
Drivers
33 (28 with a CDL)
Miles driven a year
3,425,022 (2023)
Hazardous materials
Yes, registered to carry hazmat
Safety rating
Satisfactory (Nov 2013)

Safety record, last 24 months

35Roadside inspections
55.6%Vehicle out-of-service rate
National average 22.26%
2.9%Driver out-of-service rate
National average 6.67%
2Crashes
1 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
Aug 14, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jul 20, 2026SDWalk-around (II)0No
May 14, 2026SDDriver only (III)0No
Apr 13, 2026PADriver only (III)1No
Apr 7, 2026CODriver only (III)1No
Apr 2, 2026MNDriver only (III)1Driver
Mar 18, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Feb 2, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 29, 2026IAWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Jan 21, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 21, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 13, 2026MNDriver only (III)1No
Jan 2, 2026IAWalk-around (II)6Vehicle
Jan 2, 2026MOWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Dec 3, 2025ILDriver only (III)2No
Nov 26, 2025MIDriver only (III)1No
Nov 3, 2025MNDriver only (III)0No
Oct 13, 2025SDWalk-around (II)2Vehicle
Oct 6, 2025PAWalk-around (II)3No
Aug 27, 2025WIWalk-around (II)2No
Aug 20, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Aug 11, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No
Aug 5, 2025SDWalk-around (II)0No
Jul 15, 2025MSDriver only (III)1No
Jul 1, 2025CODriver only (III)0No
Jun 21, 2025IADriver only (III)4No
Jun 18, 2025WIDriver only (III)2No
May 8, 2025ILDriver only (III)3No
Apr 11, 2025MNWalk-around (II)5Vehicle
Mar 26, 2025ILDriver only (III)0No
Mar 19, 2025MNDriver only (III)0No
Mar 11, 2025MNDriver only (III)0No
Feb 21, 2025MIDriver only (III)2No
Feb 7, 2025MNDriver only (III)2No
Jan 2, 2025MNDriver only (III)1No

Crashes

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

DateWhereInjuriesDeathsVehicle towed
Jun 1, 2026Eaton (township Of), OH10Yes
Aug 5, 2025Maplewood, MN00Yes

Insurance and bonds

On file now

TypeInsurerPolicyLimitEffective
Liability (BIPD)Great West Casualty Co.GWP01710R$1,000,000Mar 20, 2018

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)Great West Casualty Co.Jul 15, 2001Mar 20, 2018Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Onebeacon Insurance CompanyJul 15, 2000Jul 15, 2001Cancelled, another policy took over
CargoOnebeacon Insurance CompanyJul 15, 2000Jul 15, 2001Cancelled
Liability (BIPD)Northland Casualty Insurance CompanyAug 19, 1999Jul 15, 2000Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Northland Insurance CompanyJul 15, 1998Aug 19, 1999Cancelled, another policy took over
Liability (BIPD)Redland Insurance Co.Aug 29, 1997Jul 15, 1998Replaced by a new policy
Liability (BIPD)Redland Insurance Co.Jul 29, 1996Aug 29, 1997Cancelled, 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 Aug 20, 2001 — the company kept its authority.

  2. Authority granted Carrier

Source: FMCSA records published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, checked 23 hours ago. Authority and insurance come from FMCSA's licensing records (this company hasn't had a status change since FMCSA moved to its new Motus system in 2026). 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.