Broker pre-dispatch tool

FMCSA Carrier Compliance Checklist

A structured review of the carrier, federal record, insurance, and assigned equipment before a vehicle is released.

Updated for the 2026 Motus transition FMCSA says current registration record activity after May 18, 2026 belongs in Motus. Legacy Licensing & Insurance records are historical during the transition.

Carrier legal name USDOT number Reviewed by Review date

Nothing entered here is submitted or stored by CarShipOS. Print or save the completed worksheet according to your own record policy.

Federal identity and authority

Compare the carrier packet with current federal records—not a screenshot supplied by the carrier.

Carrier identity matchesLegal name, DBA, USDOT number, MC number (when assigned), address, and phone are reconciled across the carrier packet and federal record. Current authority is appropriate for the loadThe current Motus record shows the authority needed for interstate, for-hire property transportation; any pending, inactive, or out-of-service status is resolved. USDOT status and out-of-service status are clearThe SAFER Company Snapshot shows an active USDOT status and no out-of-service order for the entity being dispatched. Safety information was reviewed under written policySafety rating, inspection history, out-of-service rates, crashes, and record recency were reviewed using the brokerage’s documented escalation rules.

Insurance and vehicle coverage

Federal filing status and the certificate of insurance answer different questions. Review both.

Current federal insurance filing was reviewedThe most current FMCSA registration record was checked for required financial-responsibility filings and any pending cancellation or status change. Certificate was verified with the insurance producerThe certificate came from or was independently confirmed with the listed producer—not only from the carrier—and the named insured and policy dates match. Cargo terms fit the shipmentCargo limits, deductible, policy dates, territory, and exclusions were reviewed for automobiles, the vehicle value, and the planned equipment.

Contract and dispatch controls

Close the gap between an approved company and the driver and equipment that actually arrive.

Carrier agreement and tax record are completeThe executed carrier agreement and W-9 use the approved legal entity, with changes escalated before dispatch. Driver, truck, trailer, and contact path are confirmedThe assigned driver and equipment are tied to the approved carrier, and identity or payment-detail changes are re-verified through a known contact.

Official lookups

Use current first-party records

Do not approve a carrier from a copied certificate, screenshot, email signature, or search-result snippet alone.

Motus registration searchCurrent FMCSA entity registration and authority records

SAFER Company SnapshotUSDOT status, safety rating, inspections, crashes, and OOS data

FMCSA Motus transition guidanceOfficial explanation of current public search and registration functions

Carrier review questions

Does completing this checklist prove that a carrier is compliant?+

No. It documents a pre-dispatch review but cannot certify legal compliance, predict future conduct, or replace a brokerage’s written carrier-selection policy, contracts, insurance advice, or legal counsel.

Should I use SAFER, Licensing & Insurance, or Motus in 2026?+

FMCSA directs users to Motus for current registration record activity after May 18, 2026. SAFER remains useful for USDOT status, safety rating, inspections, crashes, and out-of-service information. The legacy L&I system is historical during the transition.

Is a certificate of insurance enough?+

A certificate is evidence of coverage, not a substitute for verifying the current policy with the producer and reviewing limits, deductibles, dates, named insured, equipment, territory, and relevant exclusions.

Why confirm the assigned driver and equipment after approving the carrier?+

Company-level approval does not by itself confirm that the person, truck, trailer, contact information, or payment instructions presented for a specific load belong to the approved entity.