Shippers, brokers, insurers and state agencies all check a carrier’s USDOT record before doing business, and it is worth checking your own the same way. The FMCSA company snapshot is public and free.
How to look up a USDOT number
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and use the Company Snapshot search. Search by USDOT number, by MC/MX docket number, or by company name. The result is a one-page snapshot of the carrier’s federal record, dated the day you run it.
Reading the USDOT status
The status line is the first thing to check:
- ACTIVE: the USDOT number is in use.
- INACTIVE: the carrier has not completed its biennial MCS-150 update.
- OUT-OF-SERVICE: the carrier is under an out-of-service order and cannot operate.
During the Motus transition, FMCSA is not inactivating USDOT numbers for biennial updates due on or after June 1, 2026. File the update anyway once your account is claimed.
Operating authority
The snapshot shows the authority type and whether it is authorized. A carrier marked not authorized for for-hire authority may still be operating legally as a private or intrastate carrier; the snapshot itself notes that the authority line does not apply to those operations.
Fleet details and the MCS-150 date
You will see the legal name and DBA, addresses, number of power units and drivers, and the MCS-150 form date and mileage. The MCS-150 date tells you how current the carrier’s own reported information is.
Inspections, crashes and safety rating
The snapshot lists 24 months of roadside inspections, split into vehicle, driver and hazmat, with out-of-service rates next to the national average. Crash counts are split into fatal, injury and tow-away, and the snapshot notes the counts do not assign fault. The safety rating shows the rating, date and review type, or "None" if FMCSA has never rated the carrier.
If an inspection or crash on your record is wrong, you challenge it through FMCSA’s DataQs system.
Your USDOT number and Form 2290
Your USDOT number and your Form 2290 are separate records with separate agencies. Your state checks both when you register a heavy truck: an active USDOT number with FMCSA, and the IRS-stamped Schedule 1 showing the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is paid.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I look up a USDOT number for free?⌄
What does INACTIVE mean on a USDOT number?⌄
What does OUT-OF-SERVICE mean on the company snapshot?⌄
What does a safety rating of "None" mean?⌄
How do I fix wrong inspection data on my snapshot?⌄
Related guides
More in Carrier Credentials & Federal Compliance
Official sources
- FMCSA SAFER — Company Snapshot
- FMCSA — Temporary Suspension of the Biennial Update Requirement
- FMCSA — Updating your registration (MCS-150)
Agency rules, fees and contacts can change — confirm current requirements with the agency before acting. This guide is general information for truckers, not tax or legal advice.