Carrier & broker authority check

Enter a USDOT number, an MC number or a company name to open the carrier's record: operating-authority status, insurance on file, safety rating, out-of-service orders and revocation history, from FMCSA's daily licensing files. Records live on our companion site USDOT Index.

What to verify before tendering a load

• Authority is active for the right kind of operation (common or contract for carriers, broker authority for brokers). Pending revocation is a red flag even while status reads active.
• Insurance on file meets the minimum: $750,000 BIPD for general freight, $1,000,000 for most contracts, $5,000,000 for hazmat, and cargo coverage if the shipper requires it. Check the cancellation-effective date.
• The physical address and phone match what you were given. Undeliverable-mail flags and recent address changes often precede double-brokering and identity theft.
• Age of authority: many brokers will not work with carriers under 90 days or 6 months of authority.

USDOT Index re-checks FMCSA data daily and logs every change on the carrier's page, so you can see when authority, insurance or the address last moved.

Last updated 2026-09-07. Data sources are listed on each page; see About for methodology.