DOT Number Lookup
Search any USDOT number to see the carrier's FMCSA registration, operating authority, out-of-service status, safety rating, BASIC percentiles and insurance filings on one screen.
How to read a DOT lookup
- USDOT registration
- Whether the company's USDOT record is active. FMCSA marks it inactive when a carrier stops filing the biennial MCS-150 update or reports that it has stopped operating. An inactive registration can still show active operating authority, so read both.
- MCS-150 date
- When the carrier last updated its registration. FMCSA requires an update every 24 months and can deactivate the USDOT number when one is missed. An old date on an active carrier often means the address, phone and fleet figures are old too.
- Power units and drivers
- The fleet size the carrier reported on its MCS-150, not a count FMCSA verified. A figure far from what the carrier tells you, or from the equipment it is offering, is worth a question before you tender.
- Out-of-service order
- An FMCSA order that stops the carrier from operating, usually after a failed compliance review, an imminent-hazard finding or unpaid penalties. A carrier under an out-of-service order may not haul your freight until FMCSA lifts it. See whether an out-of-service order is against the carrier, driver or vehicle.
- Safety rating
- Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory, assigned only after an FMCSA compliance review. Most carriers are never reviewed, so “not rated” is normal and is not a negative finding.
- BASIC percentiles
- FMCSA's Safety Measurement System ranks carriers in seven categories. Higher percentiles are worse. For general property carriers FMCSA's intervention thresholds are 65 for Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service and Crash Indicator, and 80 for the rest. No percentile usually means too few inspections to score. See what a broker can infer from SMS BASICs.
The result also shows authority and insurance. The MC number lookup explains how to read those fields.
Before you tender a load
A DOT lookup answers five questions. If any answer is no, stop and confirm with FMCSA.
- The USDOT registration is active and FMCSA reports no out-of-service order.
- The MCS-150 was updated within the last 24 months, and the reported fleet fits the load you are offering.
- The legal name, address and phone match the carrier packet, and none of them changed recently without a reason.
- Any BASIC above its threshold, or a Conditional or Unsatisfactory rating, has a written reason for proceeding.
- Common or contract authority is active for the freight you are tendering, and insurance is on file with no cancellation before delivery.
A lookup is a snapshot. Authority and insurance can change after you book. The $49/month carrier watch emails you when FMCSA posts a cancellation or suspension on up to 50 carriers you use.
DOT number lookup FAQ
What is a DOT number?
A USDOT number is the identifier the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to companies that operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce, and in some states intrastate. FMCSA uses it to track a company's inspections, crashes, compliance reviews and filings.
How do I look up a DOT number?
Type the USDOT number into the search box and press Look up. The result shows the carrier's legal name, registration status, operating authority, out-of-service status, safety rating, BASIC percentiles and insurance filings. Each result has its own link you can share.
Where do I find a company's DOT number?
Interstate carriers must display their USDOT number on both sides of their power units, usually on the cab door. It also appears on insurance certificates, rate confirmations and carrier packets. If you only have the company name, use the carrier lookup by name.
What is the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?
A USDOT number identifies a company for safety monitoring. An MC (docket) number carries for-hire operating authority to haul regulated freight across state lines. Many carriers have both. This tool accepts either: enter an MC number as MC-123456.
Why can a carrier show active authority but an inactive registration?
They are separate FMCSA records. Operating authority is tied to the MC docket, while registration status reflects the USDOT record itself, which goes inactive when a carrier stops filing its biennial update. Treat an inactive registration as a reason to confirm with FMCSA before booking.
Is this DOT lookup free?
Yes. Web lookups are free and don't require an account. Developers who need programmatic access get 100 free API calls a month, and the $49/month carrier watch includes 1,000.
Where does the data come from?
Registration, authority, safety rating and BASIC percentiles come from FMCSA's public web services at the time you search. Insurance comes from FMCSA's insurance filing records. VerifyCarrier is an independent tool and is not affiliated with FMCSA; the official source is safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.