Quick checklist
- Active operating authority on the USDOT record.
- Insurance on file at or above the $750k federal floor.
- Legal name, address and phone match the carrier packet.
- Safety rating and OOS rates reviewed in context.
Start with the USDOT number
Every interstate carrier has a USDOT number. Look it up first and confirm the legal name, address and operating status match what's on the carrier packet and the rate confirmation. A mismatch between the name on the invoice and the FMCSA record is the single most common double-brokering tell.
- Confirm operating authority is active (not revoked or out of service).
- Confirm the entity is a CARRIER, not a BROKER, if you expect them to haul.
- Match the physical address and phone to the carrier packet.
Check insurance on file and the $750k floor
FMCSA records show whether BIPD and cargo insurance are on file. Federal rules require at least $750,000 in coverage for most general freight. If insurance is missing or the required amount is below the floor, do not tender the load until it's resolved in writing.
Read the safety rating and out-of-service rates
A Conditional or Unsatisfactory safety rating, or an out-of-service rate well above the national average, is a context signal — not a verdict. Combine it with authority age, inspection history and how the carrier was sourced before you decide.
Verify a carrier now
Run a free FMCSA lookup by USDOT, MC number or company name. Then put the carriers you book on watch and get alerted the moment one changes.
Data sourced from public FMCSA/SAFER records. CarrierSentry is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. DOT or FMCSA. Verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before making business decisions.