USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) numbers serve as a government tracking identifier. A USDOT number resembles a license plate number in some ways. You can instantly view a company’s complaint history, safety rating, and accident history by keying in its USDOT number on the government website.
We’ll take the stress out of your move by showing you how to check a company’s USDOT number—and things to look out for during this process.
Why Are USDOT Numbers Important?
A USDOT number, also known as a DOT number or US DOT number, is crucial since it safeguards clients from fraud. It’s a quick and simple way to look into a company’s complaint history, safety record, and legitimacy.
Some businesses use fake USDOT numbers to get around their safety records.
It’s shady and uncommon, but it often happens. In such circumstances, you could check the validity of the USDOT number on your moving firm’s website with the help of the FMCSA.
By contacting the FMCSA to confirm the company’s USDOT number, you can avoid being a victim of fraud.
How Can You Check a USDOT Number?
Visit the FMCSA website and look for a company by its name or MC number to find its USDOT number. Even though this information isn’t always obvious, movers are supposed to list their MC and USDOT numbers on their websites. You can also search by name.
The results show a company’s history regarding insurance, accidents, complaints, and safety.
What Should You Look Out for When Checking a USDOT Number?
Making sure the information on a company’s website matches what you find while searching the FMCSA website is the quickest way to determine whether it is legitimate. Here are some components to look out for:
- Name: Verify that the company name listed in the FMCSA database matches the one you intend to work with.
- Phone and Address Information: Verify that the address and phone number on the FMCSA website match those listed on the moving company.
- State Carrier ID Number: The state carrier ID number confirms that the business has an intrastate moving license, even though it isn’t required to obtain a USDOT number.
Check Insurance Records
You can obtain insurance records by clicking on “Licensing & Insurance” in a blue box in the top right corner of your page. The main FMCSA search results don’t list insurance records.
Enter the business’s USDOT number or name to find out about license and insurance. The report might not contain much information, but you can cross-check the company’s fundamental information and determine whether its insurance is still in effect or has been revoked.
Go Beyond USDOT
While the FMCSA offers a wealth of important information, it is surprisingly ineffective at addressing customer complaints. A USDOT search frequently yields no results for complaints. Instead of relying on it as the sole source to assess a moving company, we recommend you spend 5–10 minutes researching web reviews. Two excellent options are Google and Yelp.
Are you looking to relocate? Or maybe it’s your company that’s shifting to a brand-new location. For all your moving needs, Budd Van Lines is here to help. Check out our quality-assured personal moving and office moving services today!