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Due Diligence 7 min read• Updated: September 2026

How to Verify a Transportation Company: Complete Guide

Understand the end-to-end process of verifying auto transporters, freight carriers, and 3PL brokers using public government data sources.

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1. The Need for Independent Verification

Whether you are an auto-transport broker, a car dealership, or an individual moving cross-country, verifying a transportation company ensures you are working with an authorized, legally registered commercial entity.

Public FMCSA records provide transparency into operating credentials without relying on marketing claims or unverified reviews.

2. Verifying Auto-Transport Carriers and Brokers

In the automotive transport sector, companies operate either as direct carriers (owning multi-car haulers) or as licensed brokers (arranging shipments with independent drivers). Both must maintain valid FMCSA filings.

  • Auto-Transport Brokers: Must hold active Property Broker authority and maintain a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond.
  • Auto-Transport Carriers: Must hold active Common/Contract authority, maintain commercial liability insurance, and list 'Motor Vehicles' under cargo classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an individual shipper check FMCSA records for free?

Yes. All FMCSA census, safety, and licensing records are publicly available and free to inspect via tools like TransportTrace and the official SAFER website.

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