Checking a US carrier from Canada: USDOT, MC and FMCSA status
Updated 2026-10-27
A US carrier hauling into or out of Canada is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Its public record answers most of the questions a broker needs answered, if you know which fields to read.
The numbers to ask for
Ask for the USDOT number and, for for-hire interstate work, the MC (docket) number. Look them up yourself and confirm that the legal name, address and phone on the record match what the dispatcher gave you.
The fields that matter
- Operating status: the carrier must show as authorized for the type of work you are giving it
- Out-of-service order: any active order means it may not operate
- Authority age: brand-new authority is a common sign of fraud and failure, so many brokers set a minimum
- Insurance on file: liability coverage filed with FMCSA and any recent cancellation notice
- Safety rating and inspection history, including out-of-service rates for vehicles and drivers
- Recent changes to the address, phone, email or officers on the record
Insurance: what FMCSA does not show
FMCSA shows the liability filing, not the cargo policy, and most carriers no longer have to file cargo insurance with it. Get the certificate of insurance and confirm the cargo coverage with the insurer or agent named on it.
Watch for changes
Authority can be revoked and insurance cancelled between loads. HaulProof checks US carriers against FMCSA data and alerts you the same day a monitored carrier loses its authority or its insurance filing, alongside the provincial records for Canadian carriers.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the province concerned.