Carrier vetting guide
How to check a freight carrier’s operating authority
Operating authority is the first thing to verify before you tender a load. Here’s how to read it on the FMCSA record — active vs. inactive, and the difference between common, contract, and broker authority.
Check a carrier now
MC or DOT number — free, no account. We break out common, contract, and broker authority and flag broker-only setups.
Just the number works — with or without the MC/DOT prefix, and spaces are fine. Tip: prefix an MC number with “MC” (e.g. MC123456) so it isn't read as a DOT number.
Active, inactive, or none
- Active. The carrier is authorized to operate for hire under that authority type. This is what you want to see before booking.
- Inactive. They held the authority but it has lapsed or been revoked. A stop sign — don't book until it's resolved.
- None. They never held that type of authority. Distinct from inactive: a carrier that never sought broker authority isn't one that lost it.
Common vs. contract vs. broker authority
Common and contract authority both let a carrier haul freight for hire. Broker authority lets an entity arrange transportation by others — not move it themselves. The combination matters: an entity with active broker authority but no active carrier authority can only re-broker your load, which is the classic double-brokering setup. CarrierClear breaks authority out by type and flags broker-only entities so you catch this before you tender.
Authority is active — now what?
Active authority clears the first gate, not all of them. Confirm insurance on file, check the safety rating and out-of-service rates, and make sure the contact details match the federal record. Every free lookup gives you a dated vetting record (PDF) of what you checked.
How to read safety ratings & OOS rates → or monitor a carrier’s authority for changes →
Common questions
- How do I check if a carrier's authority is active?
- Enter the carrier's MC or DOT number above. CarrierClear pulls the FMCSA record and shows whether operating authority is active, inactive, or none — broken out by type (common, contract, broker).
- What's the difference between common, contract, and broker authority?
- Common and contract authority let a carrier haul freight for hire (common = for the general public, contract = under continuing agreements with specific shippers). Broker authority lets an entity arrange transportation by others — not haul it themselves. A legitimate carrier may hold carrier authority and broker authority; an entity with only broker authority can't legally haul your load.
- What does 'inactive' or 'none' authority mean?
- Inactive means the carrier held that authority but it has lapsed or been revoked — a stop sign until it's resolved. 'None' means they never held that type. The distinction matters: a carrier that never sought broker authority is different from one that lost it.
- Authority is active — am I safe to book?
- Active authority is necessary but not sufficient. Also check insurance on file, safety rating and out-of-service rates, and confirm the contact details match the federal record. Then keep a dated record of what you verified.
CarrierClear displays public FMCSA records and records your own verification. It is not legal advice and not a certification of any carrier’s fitness, legitimacy, or insurance. Verify independently before relying on any record.