Verify a Car Shipping Company
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How to verify a car shipping company
1. Get the numbers
Ask for the USDOT and MC numbers before you pay anything.
2. Check FMCSA records
Confirm the name, phone and address match and authority is active.
3. Confirm insurance
Ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance and check the limits.
4. Read reports and reviews
Look at recent reviews and how complaints were resolved.
How to read an FMCSA company record
- USDOT number
- The company's federal ID. It should match the name, address and phone the company gives you.
- MC number
- Operating authority for interstate for-hire carriers and brokers.
- Entity type
- Shows whether the company is a carrier, a broker or both.
- Operating status
- Look for active authority. "Not authorized" or "out of service" is a reason to stop.
- Insurance on file
- Carriers file liability insurance; brokers file a $75,000 bond or trust fund.
- Safety and inspections
- Carrier crash and inspection history helps you judge reliability.
Auto transport brokers need FMCSA broker authority and $75,000 in financial security, usually a BMC-84 surety bond or a BMC-85 trust fund.
Red flags to watch for
- No USDOT or MC number, or one that doesn't match the company name
- Demands full payment before a carrier is assigned
- Only accepts wire transfer, payment apps, crypto or gift cards
- A quote far below every other company
- No written contract or unclear cancellation terms
- Stops answering after you pay
- Uses a different name than the official FMCSA record
Safe shipping tips
- Verify the USDOT and MC numbers on FMCSA before booking
- Compare at least three quotes for the same dates
- Pay by credit card and avoid large upfront deposits
- Get the price, dates and cancellation terms in writing
- Photograph your car and inspect it at pickup and delivery
Record looks good? Next steps
- Compare quotes from several licensed companies.
- Check public review ratings and complaint history.
- Get the price, dates and cancellation terms in writing.
Official resources
Government sites for lookups and complaints.
- FMCSA company snapshotLook up a USDOT or MC number and check operating status.(opens in a new tab)
- FMCSA National Consumer Complaint DatabaseFile a complaint about a broker or carrier.(opens in a new tab)
- FTC ReportFraudReport fraud and scams to the Federal Trade Commission.(opens in a new tab)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint CenterReport online fraud, including fake escrow and sales.(opens in a new tab)
- Your state attorney generalFind your state's consumer protection office.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
What is a USDOT number?
A unique number the U.S. Department of Transportation assigns to companies that operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. It identifies the company in FMCSA safety and registration records.
What is an MC number?
An operating authority number FMCSA issues to for-hire carriers and brokers moving regulated goods across state lines. A car shipping broker or carrier should have one.
How can I tell if a company is a broker or a carrier?
The FMCSA record shows the entity type and authority, such as "Broker" or "Authorized for Property". Some companies hold both.
Broker vs. carrier
Is cargo insurance required?
Carriers must file liability insurance with FMCSA, but cargo insurance isn't federally required for car haulers. Ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance and check the cargo limit.
Car shipping insuranceHow do I report a car shipping company?
Use the Report a Company form to share what happened. We review every report before publishing a summary, and you should also file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
Report a company
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