About CarrierChk
CarrierChk is a free online tool that lets you instantly verify the licenses, authority status, and safety records of freight carriers. By entering a carrier's USDOT number or MC number, you can confirm whether a carrier is legally authorized to operate — helping brokers, shippers, and dispatchers avoid fraud and make safer hiring decisions.
Yes, CarrierChk is completely free to use. Simply enter an MC number or USDOT number and get instant results at no cost. There are no subscriptions, accounts, or sign-ups required to perform a carrier check.
CarrierChk is designed for freight brokers, logistics companies, shippers, dispatchers, and anyone who hires or works with trucking carriers. If you assign loads to carriers or need to verify a transportation company's credentials, CarrierChk can save you time and protect you from fraud.
CarrierChk covers carriers registered with the FMCSA that operate in interstate commerce within the United States. If a carrier has a valid MC or USDOT number, their information should be searchable through CarrierChk.
CarrierChk sources data from the official FMCSA database, synced daily to keep authority, insurance, and safety status current.— the same data source the government uses.
Using the Tool
CarrierChk displays a carrier's full FMCSA record including: legal company name, operating authority status, USDOT number, MC number, safety rating, insurance type and coverage amount, fleet size, driver count, cargo types, contact information, and authority history.
Go to CarrierChk.com and enter the MC number in the search bar. Within seconds you'll see the carrier's full profile including their authority status, safety score, and contact details. This lets you confirm the carrier is legitimate before assigning a load.
A USDOT number is a unique identifier assigned by FMCSA to all commercial motor vehicles operating in interstate commerce — it tracks safety and compliance. An MC number (Motor Carrier number) is specifically required for carriers who transport goods for hire across state lines — it represents their operating authority. Both can be verified using CarrierChk. Learn more →
Currently CarrierChk searches by DOT number, MC number, or email address. Searching by company name can return multiple results for common names, so we recommend always getting the carrier's DOT or MC number directly from them before searching.
Authority & Insurance
A safe carrier will have: active operating authority, a Satisfactory (or unrated) FMCSA safety rating, valid insurance on file with no pending cancellation, authority that's been active for at least 6 months, and contact information that matches FMCSA records. CarrierChk shows all of this in one place. See our full verification guide →
Inactive authority means a carrier's FMCSA operating authority has been revoked, surrendered, or suspended. They are no longer legally permitted to transport goods for hire in interstate commerce. Never book freight with a carrier showing Inactive or None authority status. Learn more →
Do not book loads with that carrier. A pending cancellation means their insurance policy is about to lapse. If the cancellation goes through while your freight is in transit, there will be no coverage for loss or damage. Learn more about cargo insurance →
New carriers (under 6 months) have no safety track record and are disproportionately involved in freight fraud schemes. Many double brokering operations use newly registered carrier authorities. CarrierChk color-codes authority age — red for under 6 months, orange for under 1 year, green for over 1 year. See our full guide on carrier vetting for freight brokers.
Fraud & Safety
Yes. Double brokers often operate using recently created or altered carrier identities. By verifying a carrier's authority history and license age on CarrierChk, you can spot warning signs such as a newly issued MC number, mismatched company names, or inactive authority — all common indicators of double brokering. Read our full guide on double brokering →
The biggest red flags are: authority under 6 months old, insurance showing a pending cancellation, contact info that doesn't match FMCSA records, refusal to provide a carrier packet, fleet size that doesn't match their claims, and any pressure to skip the verification process. See all 7 red flags →
Report carrier fraud to FMCSA at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) or online at the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database. You can also report double brokering and freight fraud to the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and your state's attorney general.