USDOT number lookup:
know who you’re hiring.
Use this free USDOT number lookup to open a company’s official FMCSA record. Then, compare its identity and moving authority with the estimate in front of you.
Free official lookup · No OSG account needed
Guide reviewed October 5, 2026
Quick answer: a USDOT number identifies a registered transportation entity. It does not, by itself, prove that a company may transport your household goods or that your move will go well. Check the relevant authority and your written agreement too.
Free USDOT number lookup
Open the official search in this tab →
If you have only a company name or MC/MX number, use the official search link above. This form works without JavaScript. The official service’s availability is outside OSG’s control.
Three checks after the record opens
Match the identity
First, compare the legal name, any DBA and the address with your estimate. If details differ, ask the company to explain before you pay.
Check the moving role
Next, use the FMCSA mover database to review whether you are dealing with a carrier or broker and the records relevant to that role.
Review the agreement
Finally, check who will transport the shipment, what the written estimate includes and how to contact the company during the move.
What the FMCSA record can tell you
The SAFER Company Snapshot includes company identification and available safety information, such as inspections, crashes and a safety rating if one exists. Read the labels and dates alongside the numbers.
However, a record is not a promise about your individual move. For household-goods movers, also review registration, the relevant authority, insurance information and complaints through FMCSA’s mover search. Save the date of your check with the estimate.
Registered and authorized are different checks
FMCSA explains that a company can be registered without being authorized to move household goods. Brokers arrange transportation and have a different role from the carrier that moves the shipment. Read the official explanation of registration and authority before interpreting a status label.
Example: the quote and the record do not match
Suppose your estimate names “Example Moving,” but the record shows another business name. First, check whether the quote uses a listed DBA. Then, ask for a written explanation and confirm which business will perform the move. Do not treat a shared logo or a reassuring phone call as a substitute for matching the records. This is a fictional example, not a review of a real mover.
For the next steps, follow OSG’s guide to hiring interstate movers. You can also compare service choices with the DIY versus movers calculator.
Out of State Guide · USDOT number lookup
Your mover review checklist
Keep this worksheet with each company’s estimate. Checking a box records your review; it is not an OSG approval or safety rating.
USDOT number lookup questions
Is this lookup free?
Yes. The link opens FMCSA’s free Company Snapshot search. OSG does not charge for the lookup or require an account.
Can I search without a USDOT number?
Yes. Open the official SAFER search to use a company name or MC/MX number. Then, compare the identifying details with your estimate.
What if the search finds no record?
First, recheck the digits and identifier type. Next, try the official company-name search or contact FMCSA through its website. An unsuccessful search here is not a finding about a company’s legal status.
Does an active USDOT record mean I should hire the mover?
No. Review the business identity, relevant moving authority, written estimate and other records together. Our hiring guide explains additional questions to ask.
Keep your move organized
Bring your bookings, budget and moving tasks together in My Plan. Keep a separate review sheet for each mover you compare.