How We Verify Carriers
CarrierLinq uses real-time FMCSA data to verify motor carrier credentials. Here's exactly what we check — and what we don't.
The Verification Process
Automated, real-time, and transparent
Submit Your USDOT Number
Carriers enter their USDOT number during signup. This is the only credential required to start the verification process.
Real-Time FMCSA Lookup
CarrierLinq queries the FMCSA QCMobile API in real time to retrieve your official carrier record from the federal database.
Authority & Status Check
We verify that your operating authority is active, check for out-of-service orders, and extract your legal name, EIN, and physical address.
Verified Badge Issued
Carriers that pass all checks receive a Verified badge visible on their public profile. 3PLs can see this badge when reviewing interested carriers.
What We Verify
Data points extracted from FMCSA records
Legal Name
The official legal entity name registered with FMCSA.
EIN (Employer ID)
Federal Employer Identification Number tied to the carrier entity.
Physical Address
The principal place of business on file with FMCSA.
Total Drivers
Number of drivers reported in the carrier's FMCSA record.
Total Power Units
Number of trucks and power units registered with FMCSA.
Common Authority Status
Whether the carrier holds active common carrier operating authority.
Contract Authority Status
Whether the carrier holds active contract carrier operating authority.
Broker Authority Status
Whether the carrier also holds broker authority with FMCSA.
Carrier Operation Type
The type of carrier operation — interstate, intrastate, or both.
Insurance and Compliance Documents
What happens to the paperwork once a carrier is verified
Certificates of Insurance
Carriers upload certificates as PDFs. We read the ACORD form automatically, including scanned copies, and record coverage types, limits, and expiration dates. Expired coverage is excluded.
Certificate Identity Checks
The named insured and the USDOT number on the certificate are checked against the carrier's FMCSA record, and a mismatch fails the certificate during processing. This confirms the policy belongs to that carrier. It does not authenticate the certificate with the insurer or producer, and it does not assess whether the coverage is adequate for any particular contract.
Compliance Cases
When a credential check finds a problem, a case opens on the carrier's account with the steps needed to clear it. An AI assistant explains the issue and drafts responses. It cannot file anything with FMCSA on the carrier's behalf.
Onboarding Documents
When a 3PL onboards a carrier, the remaining paperwork is uploaded to the onboarding packet, and the 3PL reviews each step and approves it, requests changes, or rejects it. Apart from the certificates described above, CarrierLinq stores these documents and routes them for review; it does not read or validate their contents.
What We Do NOT Verify
Important limitations to understand
- Safety records or crash history (49 CFR 385)
- On-time performance or service quality
- Insurance adequacy or coverage limits (49 CFR 387)
- FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores
- Claims history
- Financial stability or creditworthiness
- Accuracy of self-reported equipment, capabilities, or service areas
Verification is Periodic, Not Continuous
Verification reflects FMCSA records at the time of lookup. CarrierLinq re-checks verified carriers against FMCSA on a recurring schedule, oldest-checked first, and opens a compliance case on the carrier's account when a re-check finds a problem. Because re-checks run in batches, the interval between checks for any individual carrier varies and a change to a federal record may not appear on CarrierLinq immediately. This is not real-time monitoring, and a carrier's authority or status may change between checks. CarrierLinq does not guarantee that verified information remains current, and carriers have a duty to keep their profile information up to date.
Self-Reported Profile Data
Equipment types, service capabilities, crew sizes, service areas, and other profile information are self-reported by carriers and are not verified by CarrierLinq or any third party.
3PL Verification Status
3PL companies are not currently subject to verification. CarrierLinq does not verify a 3PL's authority to tender shipments, financial standing, or business legitimacy.
What's Coming Next
Not yet available. These are the verification capabilities we are building.
Insurer-Confirmed Certificates
An assistant that contacts the agency listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is in force, that the limits are accurate, and that required endorsements are in place — rather than reading the document alone.
Insurance Cost Guidance
An estimate of what it would cost a carrier to raise their coverage limits to meet a given 3PL's requirements.
3PL Verification
Verification for 3PL companies to ensure both sides of every connection are credible.
Ready to Get Verified?
Sign up as a carrier and get your FMCSA credentials verified automatically.