How to Check If a Car Shipping Broker Is Licensed: FMCSA Lookup

Why You Need to Verify a Broker Before You Pay a Dime

Here is a number that should make you pause: the FMCSA receives over 15,000 complaints a year about household goods and auto transport brokers. Most of those complaints share the same root cause — the customer never checked whether the broker was actually licensed.

Making a website and calling yourself a car shipping broker takes about an hour and twenty dollars. Getting an actual FMCSA broker license takes months, an insurance filing, a surety bond, and a compliance background check. The difference between those two things is the difference between a carrier showing up at your driveway and your deposit vanishing into a Gmail account you can never reach again.

This guide walks you through exactly how to run an FMCSA license check — in about sixty seconds — so you know who you are actually dealing with before you hand over a credit card number.

What Is the FMCSA and Why Does It Matter for Car Shipping?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the federal agency that regulates interstate trucking and brokering in the United States. If a company moves vehicles or arranges vehicle moves across state lines for payment, they must be registered with the FMCSA. No exceptions.

FMCSA registration is not a gold star or a nice-to-have. It is the bare-minimum legal requirement. Operating without it is a federal violation. More importantly for you, unlicensed operators are not subject to the insurance requirements, complaint oversight, or bond protections that licensed brokers are — which means if something goes wrong, you have zero recourse.

The FMCSA maintains a public database called SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) that anyone can search. The lookup takes under a minute and tells you everything you need to know about a company’s legal standing.

MC Number vs. USDOT Number: What Each One Tells You

Auto transport companies typically carry two FMCSA identifiers, and they mean different things:

• MC Number (Motor Carrier Number): This is the broker or carrier operating authority. If a company arranges auto transport (brokering), they must have active MC authority with “Broker” listed. This is the number that tells you they are legally allowed to arrange your shipment.
• USDOT Number: This is the safety identification number. Every interstate carrier and broker gets one. It tracks inspections, crashes, and compliance history. A USDOT alone does NOT mean the company has broker authority — it is just a unique identifier.

Both numbers should be displayed on the company’s website and written estimates. If someone you are talking to cannot produce an MC number when asked, end the conversation.

How to Run an FMCSA License Check in 60 Seconds

Here is the exact process. Bookmark the FMCSA SAFER page — you will use it every time you consider a new auto transport company.

Step 1: Go to the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot

Navigate to the FMCSA SAFER System and click “Company Snapshot.” This is the public-facing lookup that does not require a login.

Step 2: Enter the MC Number or Company Name

Type the broker’s MC number (if they gave you one) or the legal company name. The MC number is more reliable — company names can have typos and DBAs that do not match the legal registration. If the company gave you an MC number, use it.

Step 3: Check Authority Status

Scroll to the “Authority Status” section. You are looking for two things:

• “Common” authority must show as “Active.” This means the company holds active operating authority. If it says “Inactive,” “Revoked,” “Suspended,” or is simply missing, the company cannot legally arrange auto transport — regardless of what their website says.
• “Broker” authority should also show as “Active” if the company is a broker (rather than a direct carrier). Some companies hold both carrier and broker authority — that is normal and fine.

Step 4: Check Insurance Filing

Scroll down to “Insurance/Insurance History.” FMCSA-licensed carriers and brokers are required to maintain specific insurance filings on the public record:

• For carriers: Bodily Injury and Property Damage (BIPD) coverage with a minimum of $750,000 for auto transport. You should see an active insurance policy with a “Yes” under “Required” and a filing date.
• For brokers: A BMC-84 or BMC-85 surety bond of at least $75,000 must be on file. This bond exists to protect you — if the broker takes your money and disappears, the bond is your path to recovery.

If the insurance section is empty or shows expired policies, the company is not compliant. Do not book with them.

Step 5: Check Out of Service Record

The SAFER snapshot includes an “Out of Service” section. This shows whether the FMCSA has ordered the company to stop operating — typically because of safety violations, failed audits, or insurance lapses. An “Out of Service” designation means the company is legally prohibited from operating. Full stop.

Step 6: Check Complaint History

The FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database is separate from the SAFER snapshot but equally important. Search the company’s name and MC number. Look for patterns: multiple complaints about the same issue (deposit disputes, no-shows, damage claims denied) are a much stronger signal than a single isolated complaint.

7 Red Flags That Mean “Walk Away”

Some warning signs are visible before you even run the FMCSA lookup. Here are the ones that should make you close the tab immediately:

1. No MC number on the website. Licensed brokers display their MC and USDOT numbers prominently — usually in the footer or on an About page. If you have to dig or ask, that is already a red flag.
2. MC number does not match the company name. Some operations rent or borrow MC numbers from other companies. The name on the SAFER record must match the company you are dealing with.
3. Authority shows “Inactive” or “Pending.” “Pending” means the application has not been approved yet — the company cannot legally operate. “Inactive” means their authority was revoked or voluntarily surrendered.
4. No insurance filing on record. An MC number without insurance is a shell. The company has a number but not the financial backing to operate legally.
5. Demands full payment upfront. Reputable brokers ask for a deposit or payment upon carrier assignment, not a full payment before any carrier is dispatched. This is one of the most common scam patterns — see our guide on how to spot car shipping scams for the full checklist.
6. Pressure to book “right now.” Legitimate brokers answer your questions and give you time to verify. Scammers create artificial urgency so you skip the due diligence.
7. Only a cell phone number, no physical address. FMCSA registration requires a physical business address. If you cannot find one, the company may not exist on paper at all.

How Best Care Auto Transport Stacks Up

We believe in transparency because we have watched too many customers come to us after being burned by unlicensed operators. Here is exactly what you will find when you look us up:

• MC Number: 1523091 — Broker Authority, Active
• USDOT Number: 3997266
• Authority Status: Common Active, Broker Active — fully licensed and compliant
• Insurance: BIPD coverage on file with FMCSA, above the required minimum
• Physical Office: 1193 E Higgins Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 — a real location you can visit
• Reviews: 4.8 stars across 105+ verified reviews — real customers, real shipments

If you are deciding between brokers, understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier is also worth five minutes of your time — it changes how quotes are priced and who is responsible if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a car shipping company on FMCSA?

Go to the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot at fmcsa.dot.gov, enter the company’s MC number or legal name, and review the Authority Status and Insurance sections. The entire lookup takes under a minute and is free to use.

What is the difference between an MC number and a USDOT number?

An MC number is the operating authority — it tells you whether a company is legally allowed to broker or carry freight. A USDOT number is a unique safety identifier that tracks inspections, crashes, and compliance. A company needs both to operate legally. An MC number with “Broker” authority is what you want to see when hiring an auto transport broker.

Can a car shipping broker operate without an MC number?

No. Arranging interstate auto transport for payment without active FMCSA broker authority is a federal violation. If a company cannot produce an MC number, they are operating illegally. Do not book with them — you have zero consumer protection if something goes wrong.

How much insurance does an auto transport broker need?

FMCSA-licensed brokers must carry a BMC-84 or BMC-85 surety bond of at least $75,000. Carriers must carry BIPD (Bodily Injury and Property Damage) insurance of at least $750,000 for auto transport. Both must be on file and visible in the FMCSA SAFER system. Always verify the filing is current before booking.