SAFER Web (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) is the official, free government source for carrier company snapshots — and for legally authoritative records it's the right place to look. VerifyCarrier shows the same public FMCSA data in a format built for 2026: fast, readable on a phone, with a risk score and a JSON API. Both are free to search.
Same public FMCSA data
SAFER is the official source; we present it readably
Both free to search
No signup wall for VerifyCarrier web lookups
We add scoring + API
0–100 risk score and 100 free API calls/mo
| Feature | VerifyCarrier | FMCSA SAFER Web |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Search | Free Web lookups, no signup | Free Government service |
| Official Government Source | Independent tool using FMCSA public data | The authoritative record |
| Mobile-Friendly Interface | Built for phones and tablets | Desktop-era layout |
| Search by DOT, MC, or Name | ||
| Carrier Risk Score (0–100) | Transparent, computed from FMCSA data | Raw data only |
| JSON API | 100 free calls/mo, paid tiers from $19/mo | Separate system FMCSA offers a QCMobile API via its developer portal |
| Carrier Monitoring & Alerts | Coming soon — join waitlist | Not offered |
| Legally Authoritative | Confirm on SAFER for disputes/audits | Official government record |
SAFER Web is not a competitor — it's the public source both of us rely on. We just make it easier to read.
Yes. SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov is the US government's free, official source for motor carrier company snapshots. VerifyCarrier's web lookups are also free — we present the same public data in a faster, mobile-friendly format.
No. VerifyCarrier is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by FMCSA or the US Department of Transportation. We retrieve the same public data via FMCSA's official web services. For legally authoritative records, always confirm on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Speed and readability. The official SAFER site works, but it was built for desktop browsers of an earlier era: it's slow, hard to read on a phone, and has no modern JSON API. VerifyCarrier returns the same public FMCSA fields instantly, works on mobile, adds a transparent 0-100 risk score, and offers a free API tier for developers.
Use safer.fmcsa.dot.gov whenever you need the legally authoritative government record — for example in a dispute, audit, or filing. VerifyCarrier is a convenience layer over the same public data, not a replacement for the official source.
We cover the core verification fields: legal name, USDOT and MC numbers, operating authority status, safety rating, out-of-service status, and fleet size, plus a computed risk score SAFER doesn't provide. SAFER's snapshot includes some additional detail (like full inspection tables) that we summarize rather than reproduce.
Not yet — carrier monitoring and email alerts are coming soon. Email support@verifycarrier.com to join the waitlist. Neither SAFER Web nor VerifyCarrier currently sends you alerts when a carrier's status changes.
Same public FMCSA data as SAFER Web, readable in seconds. No account required.