The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is the United States federal agency responsible for regulating the commercial motor vehicle industry, including all auto transport carriers and brokers. Established in 2000 as an agency within the Department of Transportation, the FMCSA's mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.
Every company that transports vehicles for compensation must register with the FMCSA and obtain operating authority. Carriers receive a Motor Carrier (MC) number and a Department of Transportation (DOT) number. Brokers who arrange transport but do not own trucks receive a separate broker MC number. These registration numbers are publicly searchable through the FMCSA's SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) system, allowing consumers to verify that any company they hire is legally authorized to operate.
FMCSA regulations require auto transport carriers to maintain minimum insurance coverage. For property carriers (which includes auto haulers), the minimum cargo insurance requirement protects the vehicles being transported. Most reputable carriers carry $750,000 to $1,000,000 or more in cargo coverage. The FMCSA also requires carriers to maintain general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage for their employees.
The FMCSA enforces its regulations through a system of safety ratings, compliance reviews, and enforcement actions. Carriers are subject to roadside inspections, safety audits, and compliance investigations. The agency maintains a database of safety performance data including crash history, inspection results, and violation records. Carriers with poor safety records can face fines, operating restrictions, or complete shutdown orders.
For consumers, the FMCSA provides essential tools for verifying the legitimacy and safety record of any auto transport company. Before hiring a carrier or broker, consumers should search the FMCSA SAFER database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov to confirm the company holds active operating authority, check their safety rating, and review their insurance filing status. Any company that cannot provide a valid MC number or whose registration shows as inactive or revoked should be avoided entirely.