What is the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?

A USDOT number is a unique identifier assigned to every commercial motor carrier required to register with FMCSA, used to track safety information and compliance. An MC number (Motor Carrier number) is assigned separately and represents the carrier's operating authority to transport regulated freight or passengers for hire across state lines. A carrier can have a USDOT number without an MC number if it does not need for-hire interstate operating authority.

Is DOT and MC number lookup data free and public?

Yes. FMCSA publishes carrier registration, safety, and authority data publicly through the SAFER system and the QCMobile API. This tool retrieves and presents that same public data in a more readable format, but does not charge for or restrict access to the underlying information.

How current is the information in a DOT number lookup?

FMCSA carrier records are typically updated within a few business days of a change, such as a new safety rating, insurance filing, or authority status update. Inspection and crash data can lag by several weeks depending on when state agencies submit reports to FMCSA. Always treat a lookup as a snapshot, not a real-time guarantee.

What does "Active" operating authority status mean?

An "Active" authority status means the carrier is currently authorized by FMCSA to operate as registered — for example, as a common or contract carrier of property. "Revoked," "Suspended," or "Inactive" statuses mean the carrier currently lacks valid authority to operate, often due to insurance lapses, safety issues, or unpaid fees, and should be treated as a red flag before booking freight.

Can I look up a carrier using just the company name?

Yes, though name search is less precise than searching by USDOT or MC number, since multiple carriers can share similar names. When searching by name, review the full results list and confirm the match using the address and DOT number before relying on the profile.

Why does a carrier show no safety rating?

Most carriers show "Not Rated" because FMCSA only assigns a formal Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory safety rating after a full compliance review, and the large majority of carriers have never been audited. A "Not Rated" status is not itself a red flag — review inspection and out-of-service history instead.

Free FMCSA-Sourced Lookup Tool

DOT Number Lookup

The DOT number lookup tool searches USDOT and MC numbers against public FMCSA records and returns a clear carrier profile — operating authority, safety rating, fleet size, and insurance status — built for shippers, brokers, and trucking companies verifying carriers before doing business.

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Free DOT & MC Number Lookup Tool

Search by USDOT number, MC number, or company name. Results are sourced from FMCSA public records.

How the DOT Number Lookup Works

This tool queries the same public FMCSA records available through the SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) system ↗ and translates raw fields into a readable carrier profile — operating authority, safety rating, fleet size, and insurance status — without requiring you to interpret codes or navigate multiple government pages.

What Gets Searched

›USDOT number — the federal carrier registration number
›MC (Motor Carrier) number — operating authority docket number
›Legal business name or DBA — matched against FMCSA registration records
›Results pull current authority, safety, and insurance fields on file with FMCSA

What You Get Back

›Plain-language operating authority status (Active, Inactive, Revoked)
›Safety rating, where one has been formally assigned
›Fleet size — power units and driver count as reported on the MCS-150
›Insurance-on-file indicator and basic contact/address information

Understanding FMCSA Carrier Information

FMCSA carrier records contain dozens of fields, but only a handful matter for most lookups: identity, authority, safety, and insurance.

USDOT Number

A unique federal ID assigned to a motor carrier for safety tracking. Required for nearly all commercial carriers operating vehicles over 10,001 lbs or transporting passengers or hazmat.

MC Number

Operating authority docket number, required for carriers that haul regulated freight or passengers for hire across state lines. A carrier can have a USDOT number without an MC number.

MCS-150

The biennial update form carriers file with FMCSA reporting fleet size, mileage, and cargo classification. This is the source of the power unit and driver counts shown in a lookup.

Operating Authority Status

Whether the carrier is currently permitted to operate under its registration — Active, Inactive (often due to a lapse), or Revoked (due to insurance, safety, or compliance failures).

Safety and Inspection Information

Safety ratings only tell part of the story — most carriers have never had a full compliance review. FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS) ↗ tracks ongoing inspection and crash data even for unrated carriers, and is worth checking alongside this lookup for a fuller picture.

Satisfactory

The carrier was audited and met FMCSA safety fitness standards at the time of review. This is the best possible formal rating.

Conditional

The carrier does not meet all safety standards but is not severe enough to warrant an Unsatisfactory rating. Worth additional scrutiny before booking.

Unsatisfactory

The carrier failed to meet minimum safety standards. Carriers with this rating are generally prohibited from operating commercial vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official FMCSA & Government Resources

This tool is built on public FMCSA data. These are the authoritative original sources.

FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot

Official carrier lookup system

FMCSA Safety Measurement System

Inspection and crash history

FMCSA Licensing & Insurance

Licensing & Insurance public records

FMCSA Registration Home

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Related DOT Compliance Tools

After verifying a carrier's authority and safety status, these tools cover the rest of the compliance picture.

→ELD Compliance Checker

Verify Electronic Logging Device compliance requirements

→CSA Score Estimator

Estimate FMCSA Safety Measurement System BASIC scores

→CDL Expiration Calculator

Track CDL renewal deadlines by state

→MVR Annual Review Calculator

Track DOT annual driving record review due dates

→FMCSA OOS Risk Assessment

Estimate out-of-service order risk before roadside inspections

→New Authority Launch Kit

Everything needed to start operating under your own DOT authority

Last Updated

June 2026 — Data sourced live from the FMCSA QCMobile API

Data Source

FMCSA public carrier registration and safety records (SAFER / QCMobile)

Methodology

Raw FMCSA fields are normalized into plain-language authority and safety status categories described in this page.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and reflects FMCSA public records at the time of lookup, which may lag real-world changes by days or weeks. For decisions with legal or financial consequences (e.g. carrier selection, freight contracts), verify directly at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov ↗ and consult a qualified transportation or compliance professional.