How to read a mover's FMCSA record before you book

Every company that moves household goods across state lines has to be registered with the federal government and have a U.S. DOT number. That number unlocks a free public record that tells you a lot: whether the company is active, whether it's allowed to move household goods or only broker them, where it's based, and how its trucks have fared in roadside inspections. Here's how to find that record and what each part means.

Step 1: Get the USDOT number

Federal rules make this easy. An interstate mover has to put its name (as registered with FMCSA) and its U.S. DOT number in every ad, written as "U.S. DOT No." followed by the number. FMCSA counts online listings and websites as ads. A household goods broker has to show its USDOT number, its MC license number, and its physical address on its website and in its ads.

If a company won't give you its USDOT number, or the website doesn't show one, treat that as a warning sign. See red flags of moving scams.

Step 2: Look it up in two places

• FMCSA's mover search (Search Movers & Complaint History) covers only interstate movers. You can search by company name, USDOT number, or MC number. It shows headquarters location, contact details, registration status, the type of authority (carrier, broker, freight forwarder), and complaint information.
• SAFER Company Snapshot (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) is the fuller record. Search by USDOT number, MC number, or name. It includes registration details, fleet size, inspection results, crashes, and any safety rating.

Search by number, not just name. Many movers have similar names, and the number is what ties the record to the company you're actually talking to.

Step 3: Read the key fields

Entity Type

This says whether the company is registered as a carrier, a broker, a freight forwarder, or a mix. A company can hold more than one. If you want the company you're paying to be the one that shows up with a truck, look for carrier. More on why in carrier vs broker.

USDOT Status

SAFER uses three values. Active means the number is active. Inactive means the company didn't complete its required every-two-years update of its registration data (form MCS-150). Out-of-service means the company is under an out-of-service order and isn't allowed to operate. If it's out of service, SAFER also shows the date of the order.

Operating Authority Status

This is the most important line for a long-distance move. It lists exactly what the company is authorized to do. For someone who will physically move your belongings, you want to see Motor Carrier of Household Goods. A company that shows only Broker of Household Goods can sell and arrange your move but won't transport it. "Not Authorized" means the company has no operating authority for interstate, for-hire work. SAFER notes that this doesn't apply to moves within a single state.

MC/MX/FF numbers

These are the company's license (docket) numbers. Check that the MC number matches the one on the quote or website.

Company information

Compare the legal name, any "DBA" (doing business as) name, physical address, and phone number with what the company told you. A mismatch doesn't always mean fraud, but you should ask about it before paying anything.

Cargo Carried

Look for a mark next to Household Goods. A trucking company registered for general freight isn't the same as a household goods mover.

Power units and drivers

These show how many trucks and drivers the company reported. A company advertising big nationwide moves while reporting zero trucks is probably brokering the work.

Inspections and crashes

SAFER shows roadside inspections and crashes reported over the past 24 months, along with out-of-service percentages and a national average to compare against. Keep two caveats in mind. Crashes are listed without any finding of who was at fault. And FMCSA says a company with no safety rating shouldn't be viewed as unsafe based on that alone, since many companies have never been rated.

Step 4: Check complaints and insurance

The mover search shows the company's complaint information. FMCSA also reminds consumers to confirm that an interstate mover is licensed and carries the required insurance, which you can check through the Licensing & Insurance link on the SAFER record.

A quick checklist

1. Get the USDOT number (and MC number) in writing.
2. Look it up on FMCSA's mover search and SAFER.
3. Confirm USDOT Status is Active.
4. Confirm Operating Authority includes Motor Carrier of Household Goods, if you want a carrier.
5. Match the name, address, and phone to your quote.
6. Read the complaint history.
7. If it's a broker, ask for its list of carriers. Federal rules require brokers to give you that list, with each carrier's USDOT and MC numbers.

A clean record doesn't guarantee a good move, and FMCSA says it doesn't endorse any mover based on this data. But checking takes five minutes and filters out a lot of trouble. Pair it with a written estimate (see binding vs non-binding estimates) and a close read of the valuation coverage on your bill of lading.