What a USDOT number is and where to find it

A USDOT number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to motor carriers — companies or individuals that transport passengers or cargo across state lines. If you need to verify that a trucking company, bus line, or moving company is registered and operating legally, you look up their USDOT number in the FMCSA's public database.

The FMCSA maintains a searchable database called the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system. You can search it for free at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The search returns the company's registration status, safety inspection history, and whether any violations or complaints are on file.

A USDOT number is not the same as a DOT medical certificate or a state commercial driver's license. It is a carrier-level registration number, meaning it identifies the business itself, not an individual driver.

Key Takeaways

  • The FMCSA's SAFER database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov is the official place to search for any registered motor carrier's USDOT number and safety record.
  • You can search by company name, USDOT number, or MC number (Motor Carrier number), and the results show registration status, inspection history, and violations.
  • A USDOT number is required for any company that transports cargo or passengers across state lines, but intrastate-only carriers may not have one.
  • The database is updated regularly but may lag by a few days, so a company that recently registered might not appear when ready.

How to search the SAFER database

Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and you will see a search box at the top of the page. You can search by company name, USDOT number, or MC number. If you know the company name, type it in and click Search. The results will show all carriers with that name or a similar name.

Click on the company name in the results to open its full record. This page shows the USDOT number, the company's address, the type of operation (for-hire carrier, private carrier, etc.), the date it was registered, and whether it is currently active or has been out of service. Below that, you will see inspection results, violations, and any complaints filed with the FMCSA.

If you are searching for a moving company or a small carrier and the name does not appear, the company may operate only within one state. Intrastate carriers do not need a USDOT number, so they will not be in the SAFER database. You would need to contact your state's transportation or motor carrier agency instead.

What the safety record tells you

The SAFER record shows the number of safety inspections the carrier has undergone and how many violations were found. It also displays the carrier's safety rating — Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory — based on whether it meets federal safety standards for driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo handling.

A Satisfactory rating means the carrier passed its most recent safety audit. A Conditional rating means the carrier has some violations but is still allowed to operate while it corrects them. An Unsatisfactory rating means the carrier has serious or repeated violations and may be subject to enforcement action or removal from service.

The record also shows whether the carrier has been involved in crashes, hazardous materials violations, or complaints from shippers or passengers. This information is public and can help you decide whether to hire or work with a carrier.

When you might need to look up a USDOT number

If you are hiring a moving company, you can search for its USDOT number to confirm it is registered and check its safety record. If you are considering a job with a trucking company, you can look up the company's violations and safety rating to understand the working environment. If you received a citation or were involved in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you can search for the other driver's carrier to file a complaint or verify the company's information.

Shippers and freight brokers use the SAFER database to vet carriers before hiring them. Insurance companies and law firms also use it to research carriers involved in accidents or disputes. The database is open to the public, so anyone can search it.

What to do if you cannot find a company

If you search for a company and it does not appear in the SAFER database, it may be operating illegally without a USDOT number, or it may be registered only within one state. Call the company and ask for its USDOT number directly. A legitimate interstate carrier should be able to provide it when ready.

If the company refuses to give you a USDOT number or says it does not have one, and it claims to operate across state lines, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA at safetycomplaints.fmcsa.dot.gov. You can also contact your state's motor carrier enforcement agency, which handles intrastate carriers and unlicensed operators.

Understanding MC numbers and other carrier identifiers

You may see an MC number (Motor Carrier number) listed alongside the USDOT number. The MC number is assigned by the FMCSA to for-hire carriers — companies that transport cargo or passengers for payment. The USDOT number is assigned to all motor carriers, including private carriers that transport their own goods. Some carriers have both; some have only a USDOT number.

You may also see a SCAC code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), which is a two-to-four letter code used in shipping and logistics. This is different from a USDOT number and is not required by the FMCSA. The SAFER database does not search by SCAC code, but you can use it to search other freight and logistics databases.

How often the SAFER database is updated

The FMCSA updates the SAFER database regularly, but there can be a lag of a few days between when a carrier registers or when an inspection is completed and when that information appears in the public database. If you search for a company that recently registered or was recently inspected, the results may not reflect the most current information.

If you need the most up-to-date information about a carrier, you can contact the FMCSA directly at 1-800-832-5660 or submit a question through their website. You can also request a copy of a carrier's official record, which may include information not yet published in the SAFER database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for a USDOT number by driver name instead of company name?

No. The SAFER database searches by carrier (company) name, USDOT number, or MC number only. Individual drivers have their own credentials — a commercial driver's license and a DOT medical certificate — but these are not searchable in the SAFER system. To find information about a specific driver, you would need to contact the carrier or your state's motor vehicle department.

What does it mean if a company has no inspection history?

It usually means the company is new or operates very infrequently. The FMCSA conducts safety inspections based on risk and complaint history, so a carrier with no violations and no complaints may not have been inspected yet. This does not mean the company is unsafe — it just means there is no public record of an inspection.

Can I see a driver's safety record or accident history?

No. The SAFER database shows only carrier-level information, not individual driver records. If you need to know about a specific driver's history, you would need to request that information from the carrier's safety department or through a background check service that has access to driver records.

Is a USDOT number required for local moving companies?

Only if they operate across state lines. A moving company that only moves within one state does not need a USDOT number and will not appear in the SAFER database. You can verify an intrastate mover's license through your state's transportation or consumer protection agency.

What should I do if I find violations on a carrier's record?

Review the specific violations to understand what they are. Minor violations like paperwork errors are different from safety violations like brake failures or hours-of-service violations. If you are concerned about the carrier's safety, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA at safetycomplaints.fmcsa.dot.gov, or you can choose to work with a different carrier.