Authority and filings
Whether your operating authority is active and whether the required liability and cargo filings are on record.
Free tool · FMCSA records
USDOT and MC number lookup
See what insurers see: operating status, authority, the liability on file with FMCSA, fleet size and cargo. Then find out what it means for your premium.
Look up a carrier
Underwriting
What insurers check in your FMCSA record
How long you’ve operated
The date your USDOT number was added. Carriers under about two years old are usually priced as new ventures.
Fleet, drivers and cargo
Power units, drivers and the cargo you report on your MCS-150. Keep it current: insurers price what the record says you haul.
The federal minimums behind those filings are on our trucking insurance page. Starting out? See insurance for a new trucking authority, and how many new trucking companies register in each state.
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One application, quotes from several insurers, and a licensed agent who knows trucking.
Common questions
DOT and MC number questions
How do I check if a trucking company has insurance on file?
Look up its USDOT or MC number above. The authority section shows the liability FMCSA requires for that authority and the amount an insurer has filed. If the amount on file is below the requirement, the authority cannot be active.
What is the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?
A USDOT number identifies a company that operates commercial vehicles and is used to track its safety record. An MC number is operating authority: for-hire carriers hauling regulated freight across state lines need it in addition to a USDOT number.
Who files the insurance with FMCSA?
Your insurer does, not you. It files Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X as proof of liability coverage, and FMCSA does not activate operating authority until adequate proof is on file. Household goods carriers also need a cargo filing (BMC-34).
How much liability insurance does FMCSA require?
Under 49 CFR 387.9, for-hire interstate carriers of general freight in vehicles rated 10,001 pounds or more need at least $750,000. Oil and certain hazardous materials require $1,000,000, and higher-hazard loads $5,000,000. Passenger carriers follow 49 CFR 387.33.
Why does my record say I’m a new carrier?
FMCSA treats new carriers as new entrants for their first 18 months, with a safety audit in the first 12. Insurers also price newer USDOT numbers as new ventures, which usually means a higher premium and down payment until you build a record.
Is this lookup the official FMCSA record?
It reads FMCSA’s public datasets on data.transportation.gov, which are updated regularly but can lag behind changes made in the last few days. For legal or compliance decisions, confirm on FMCSA’s own systems.