Before you hand over your keys, it takes about five minutes to check that the company moving your car is real, licensed and insured. All you need is its USDOT number and the free public records of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Step 1: Get the USDOT number
Every company that hauls cars for hire between states must have a USDOT number, and most also have an MC number (its operating authority). Ask for both. A real carrier gives them right away; they are also printed on the side of its trucks.
Step 2: Look it up on FMCSA SAFER
Open the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and search by the USDOT number. Check:
- Entity type says CARRIER. A company listed only as a BROKER does not own trucks: it will pass your car to another company.
- Operating status says AUTHORIZED FOR Property. NOT AUTHORIZED or OUT-OF-SERVICE means the company may not haul your car.
- Name and address match the company you are talking to. Scammers sometimes use the number of a real company.
- Power units and drivers show a fleet that fits what they promise.
Step 3: Confirm the insurance
A for-hire carrier must file proof of liability insurance with FMCSA before it may operate; you can see it under "Insurance" in the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance pages. Liability insurance covers damage the truck does to others. For damage to your car, ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance showing cargo coverage, and check the amount covers your car's value.
Call the insurance agent listed on the certificate and confirm the policy is active. Certificates are easy to fake; a phone call is not.
Get my priceStep 4: Look at the safety record
The SAFER snapshot also shows inspections, out-of-service rates and crashes for the last two years. Compare the vehicle and driver out-of-service rates with the national averages printed next to them: a carrier far above average deserves a second look.
Step 5: Check how long they have been around
A brand-new authority is not bad by itself, as every carrier starts somewhere, but it has no track record yet. Read reviews from shippers who used the company, and be more careful with a company that is only a few weeks old.
Red flags of a car shipping scam
- A price far below every other quote. A lowball price is often raised at pickup, or nobody shows up.
- A large deposit by wire, Zelle, gift card or crypto before anyone is assigned to your car.
- A different company or driver arrives at pickup than the one you booked.
- No inspection report (bill of lading) at pickup.
- Pressure to decide right now, or refusal to give a USDOT number.
How Carvelo AI checks carriers for you
On Carvelo AI every carrier is checked against FMCSA records before it can send an offer: active motor-carrier authority, operating status and insurance on file, checked again every night. Each offer shows the carrier's Carvelo Score (safety, reliability and ratings) so you can compare more than price. We connect you directly with the carrier that moves your car, and you see who it is before you pay.
Your payment is held until delivery: the carrier is paid only after you give the driver your Delivery Code. Get your price and compare offers from verified carriers.
Questions, answered
What is the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?+
The USDOT number identifies the company and its safety record. The MC number is its operating authority: the permission to haul goods for hire between states. Most interstate car carriers have both.
Does a car carrier have to carry cargo insurance?+
Federal rules require liability insurance from for-hire carriers. Cargo insurance, which covers your car, is not federally required for most car carriers, so ask for a certificate of insurance that shows cargo coverage.
What should I do if a different driver shows up?+
Do not release your car. Check the company name and USDOT number on the truck and paperwork against your booking, and contact the company you booked or Carvelo AI support.