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To check a carrier’s MC and DOT numbers, search them in the FMCSA SAFER and Licensing and Insurance databases to confirm the company is active, authorized, and properly insured.
Most people rely on how a carrier sounds on the phone. Professional quotes and confident answers can feel reassuring. The problem is that fraudulent or unsafe carriers often sound polished.
Verifying MC and DOT numbers matters. It gives you objective proof. You can confirm whether the carrier is authorized to operate, whether its safety record is active, and whether its authority is valid or quietly suspended.
The good news is that once you know where to look, the process is straightforward.
MC Number vs. DOT Number: What They Actually Mean
A USDOT number is basically the carrier’s federal tracking number. It is tied to safety inspections, crash reports, audits, and compliance history. It is also what enforcement uses when they pull a truck into a weigh station or inspect it roadside.
An MC number is different. That is operating authority. It is what allows a company to haul freight for hire across state lines. If a carrier transports vehicles for customers and is paid, the MC number proves they are legally authorized to do so.
A real carrier should have both numbers available without hesitation. If they dodge the question or act annoyed that you asked, that alone tells you something.
Step One: The Fastest Way to Verify a Carrier’s Numbers (The SAFER Snapshot)
The quickest way to check a carrier is the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot tool.
You can search by:
USDOT number
MC number
Company name
Once you pull them up, you will see their business information, fleet size, inspection history, and operating status. This is where people make mistakes. They search the carrier and stop once they see the company exists. Existing is not the same as authorized.
Step Two: Check “Operating Status” and “Entity Type”
When you pull up the SAFER snapshot, you want to focus immediately on:
Operating Status
A carrier moving vehicles across state lines should be marked as Active and Authorized.
If it says “Inactive” or “Not Authorized,” that is not a minor technicality. That usually means they lost authority due to missing filings, expired insurance, or failure to update required records.
Entity Type
You want them listed as a carrier, not a broker.
A broker can arrange transport. A broker is not the same thing as the company physically hauling your vehicle. If you are speaking to someone claiming to be the carrier but their record says broker, you should pause right there.
Step Three: Check the Insurance Filing the Right Way
A SAFER snapshot is a good start, but it is not the final answer. The real verification step is the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance (L&I) portal. This is the system that shows whether their insurance has been filed and is active.
Carriers cannot “upload their own insurance” to FMCSA. Insurance filings must be submitted directly by the insurance company.
If a carrier emails you a certificate that appears valid, but the L&I portal shows a cancellation or no active filing, trust FMCSA’s database, not the PDF. A fake COI is one of the most common scams in vehicle transport.
“New Authority” Carriers: Not Automatically Bad, But Higher Risk
When you check the L&I portal, look at how long their authority has been active.
A carrier with new authority may be legitimate, but it remains statistically riskier. They have limited safety history and may not yet have completed a new-entrant audit.
If you are shipping a basic commuter car, you may feel fine with that. If you are shipping a high-value vehicle, a classic, or anything rare, a newer authority should make you slow down and verify more carefully.
Step Four: Read Safety Data Without Getting Lost in the Numbers
A lot of people pull up SAFER, see inspection stats, and have no idea what “good” looks like. One practical shortcut is checking Out-of-Service (OOS) rates. Nationally, vehicle out-of-service rates tend to fall in the low 20 percent range. Driver out-of-service rates are much lower, usually in the single digits.
If you see a carrier with vehicle-out-of-service numbers well above the national average, it suggests chronic maintenance issues or inspection failures. That matters to you because vehicle transport is not forgiving. A breakdown can mean long delays, rerouting, or worse.
The Hidden Red Flag Most People Miss: Mismatched Contact Info
Once you find the SAFER snapshot, compare the record against what the carrier provided, including the company name (including any DBA), the phone number, and the physical address.
If the carrier’s paperwork lists one phone number but SAFER lists a different one, do not ignore it. Sometimes it is harmless. Sometimes it is identity theft.
One of the easiest fraud tactics is pretending to be a real carrier by copying their MC number, then using different contact information to steal deposits or take loads they cannot legally move.
A Carrier Can Look “Active” but Still Be Unsafe
The SAFER snapshot may show an operating authority as active, but the carrier may have a Conditional or Unsatisfactory safety rating. Those ratings are not decoration. They exist for a reason. If you see “Unsatisfactory,” that is not the time to negotiate. That is the time to walk away.
Why Some Carriers Suddenly Show “Inactive” (Even If They Are Real)
Not every inactive status is fraud.
Sometimes a carrier becomes inactive because they missed a required federal filing, the MCS-150 biennial update. This update must be filed every two years, even if nothing changed.
If they fail to file, FMCSA can deactivate their USDOT number, and their authority can be affected. From a customer perspective, the reason does not matter much. Inactive is inactive. Even if the carrier says, “We are fixing it right now,” your shipment should not be the test case.
What You Should Ask a Carrier After You Check Their Numbers
Once you verify their MC and DOT status, the next questions become very simple:
“Is your authority currently active for interstate transport?”
“Is your insurance filing active in the FMCSA portal?”
“Is the dispatch phone number the same one listed on SAFER?”
If they are legitimate, these questions do not bother them. If they get defensive, that reaction is usually more informative than anything else.
The 4 Signs You Should Not Ignore (Even If the Price Looks Great)
A low price can be tempting, especially when you are trying to plan a move or avoid spending more than necessary. Still, these are the signs that should make you stop immediately:
MC or DOT status shows “Not Authorized” or “Inactive”
SAFER contact info does not match the carrier’s paperwork
Insurance filings show canceled, lapsed, or missing documentation
The carrier refuses to provide numbers or acts irritated when asked
A legitimate carrier understands why you are checking. The ones you need to worry about usually try to rush you past the verification step.
The Unspoken Question People Usually Have: “Can’t I Just Trust Reviews?”
Reviews can help, but they are not a substitute for operating authority. Even a company with decent online reviews can lose its insurance filing or have its authority revoked. That change might not appear in public reputation for months.
MC and DOT verification is not about whether they have happy customers. It concerns whether they are legally permitted to move your vehicle today.
Final Thoughts: A Real Carrier’s Numbers Should Hold Up Under Pressure
Checking a carrier’s MC and DOT numbers is not an advanced skill. It is basic due diligence. The important part is knowing what you are checking for.
A real carrier should show active authority, matching contact information, and valid insurance filings in the FMCSA system. If anything feels off, it usually is. And if the carrier pressures you to move forward without verification, that is often your answer.
Need to Ship a Car?
When customers book with AmeriFreight Auto Transport, the goal is to take the burden of checking the carrier’s MC and DOT numbers off your shoulders.
Verifying carriers takes time, and mistakes can still slip through. With more than 20 years of experience, AmeriFreight Auto Transport is a fully registered auto transport broker that coordinates for you.
Get a free quote today and ship knowing your vehicle is in experienced hands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a high 'Out of Service' (OOS) rate mean for a carrier's reliability?
A high OOS rate indicates the carrier is often shut down due to serious safety violations. This points to poor maintenance and a higher risk of delays or service issues.
What are the red flags to look for when a carrier's MC number is less than 6 months old?
Key red flags for carriers with MC numbers less than six months old include no operating history, a suspiciously clean record, or an address that appears to be a virtual mailbox or residence.
What is the difference between an 'Active' and 'Authorized' status on SAFER?
“Active” means the USDOT number is registered. “Authorized” means the carrier is fully licensed and insured to haul vehicles for pay across state lines.
How do I see if a carrier's insurance has expired on the FMCSA website?
Search the carrier on the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance site and open the Insurance History page to see coverage status and expiration dates.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or insurance advice. Carrier status, authority, and insurance details can change at any time. Always verify MC and USDOT information directly through official FMCSA databases before booking a shipment or signing any agreement.
