DOT Number Lookup
Verify any trucking company before you book. Search the FMCSA SAFER database by USDOT or MC number to confirm the carrier is real, active, allowed to operate, and not out of service.
How to use: Enter a USDOT or MC docket number to pull live FMCSA data — legal name, DBA, address, fleet size, operating authority, safety rating, and out-of-service status.
What is a USDOT number?
A USDOT number is a unique identifier the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration assigns to commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce. It is the federal record-of-truth for who a carrier is, where they are based, and whether they are legally allowed to haul freight.
Every for-hire carrier, broker, and freight forwarder operating across state lines must register and keep a USDOT number current. The number is the key the FMCSA uses to track safety inspections, accident records, insurance filings, and operating authority.
Why DOT verification matters
Tendering freight to an unverified carrier is the most common way shippers lose loads to fraud. Brokers and shippers who skip the lookup discover too late that the legal name on the BOL does not match the FMCSA record, the operating authority is inactive, or the carrier is out of service. The freight gets impounded or stolen, and insurance does not cover it.
A 30-second DOT lookup catches every common red flag — fake authority, dormant carriers, identity-spoofed brokers, and out-of-service operators. Verify before you tender. Verify again before you release the load.
Warp pre-vets every carrier in the network
Warp does not put a load on a truck until the carrier passes operating-authority, insurance, safety-rating, and out-of-service checks. Status is re-verified the morning of dispatch. You do not have to run a DOT lookup before every booking — that work is already done.
Use this tool when you are evaluating a carrier you found outside the Warp network, auditing a load board match, or confirming a quote from a broker you have not worked with before.
DOT lookup FAQ
What is a USDOT number?
A USDOT number is a unique identifier issued by the FMCSA to commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce. Carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders are required to register and maintain a USDOT number to operate legally.
What is the difference between a DOT number and an MC number?
A DOT number identifies a company for safety oversight. An MC docket number is the operating authority that allows a company to transport regulated commodities for hire across state lines. Most for-hire carriers have both. Private carriers typically only have a DOT number.
How do I verify a trucking company before booking?
Look up the carrier by DOT or MC number, confirm the legal name and address match what they gave you, check that the status is active and allowed to operate, verify they are not out of service, and confirm the operating authority covers the freight you need to move.
What does "out of service" mean?
Out of service means the FMCSA has issued an order prohibiting the carrier from operating commercial motor vehicles. Never tender freight to an out-of-service carrier — the load can be impounded and your insurance may not cover the loss.
What is a satisfactory safety rating?
FMCSA safety ratings are Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory. The rating is based on a compliance review of driver, vehicle, hazmat, and accident records. Many carriers are unrated because they have not been audited yet — that is not the same as a poor rating.
How often is the FMCSA SAFER database updated?
FMCSA SAFER pulls from the live carrier registration system and refreshes daily. Recent changes to operating authority, out-of-service status, or insurance can take 24 to 48 hours to reflect.
Can I look up brokers and freight forwarders here?
Yes. Brokers and freight forwarders are also registered with the FMCSA and have DOT and MC numbers. The lookup returns their operating authority type, which tells you whether they are licensed to broker, forward, or carry freight.
Do I need to verify carriers if I book through Warp?
No. Every carrier in the Warp network is pre-vetted on authority, insurance, safety rating, and out-of-service status. Warp re-verifies status before every dispatch. Use this lookup for carriers found outside the network.
Skip the verification — Warp pre-vets every carrier
Every carrier in the Warp network is checked for active authority, insurance, safety rating, and out-of-service status before they ever see a load. Re-verified the morning of dispatch.