Start here — no carrier in hand yet
Find a carrier, then check it
Don’t have a DOT or MC number yet? This is the place to start. Search a carrier by name or identifier, paste a whole list, or find carriers by lane — then run authority, insurance, and double-broker checks against the live FMCSA record, joined to the inspection footprint we’ve been collecting since 2023.
Search for a carrier
Paste a USDOT number, MC number, VIN, or carrier name. We’ll take you straight to the verified profile.
Free, no signup. Refreshed daily from FMCSA.
Or start a different way
Once you’ve found one, check it
Brokers tell us carrier vetting fails three ways every week: an authority that looks current but was reinstated yesterday, insurance that lapsed between booking and pickup, and a load quietly re-brokered to a fresh MC. Each tool collapses one of those multi-tab checks into a single screen.
Carrier check
Authority, insurance, equipment, fraud signals, and inspection footprint in one card.
Double-broker check
Screen a tender for MC reuse, identity flips, and re-brokering patterns.
Contact-match check
Compare a presented phone/email against the carrier's FMCSA-filed contacts.
Truck check
Connect a cab-card VIN, the truck's MC, and the COI into one coherence verdict.
Insurance check
Latest BMC-91 / BMC-34 filings — lapsed coverage and pending cancellations flagged.
Already have an identifier?
If you already know the DOT or MC, skip the search and jump straight in.
Identify any carrier by identifier against the live FMCSA register — straight to the profile.
Every DOT in the index has a profile — the SEO-facing receipt for one carrier.
Field-tested guides for vetting carriers and spotting fraud before you build a checklist.
Public charts of US carrier and inspection volume — useful when you need to defend a rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a carrier before tendering a load?
Search the carrier by name, DOT, or MC number on KnowHaul. The profile shows authority status, current insurance filings, safety rating, and fraud signals — all refreshed daily from FMCSA. A carrier must have active operating authority and current liability insurance (BMC-91) before you tender.
What is a USDOT number and how is it different from an MC number?
A USDOT number is a federal safety identifier issued by FMCSA to every commercial carrier operating in interstate commerce. An MC (motor carrier) number is the operating-authority number for for-hire carriers. Every for-hire carrier has both; private carriers and exempt operations may only have a DOT number.
What is double brokering and how do I detect it?
Double brokering happens when a carrier accepts your load and re-tenders it to a second carrier — often without your knowledge and using a misrepresented identity. Detection signals include: MC numbers registered very recently, phone/email that does not match the FMCSA-filed contact, authority that was inactive and re-activated, and carriers whose inspection footprint does not match their claimed lane.
Is it free to check a carrier on KnowHaul?
Yes. Carrier profiles — authority, insurance, safety rating, fraud signals, and inspection history — are free with no signup required. The paid Pro plan adds high-volume lane prospecting and CSV export for carriers who need it at scale.