FMCSA authority — what MC and USDOT numbers mean for shippers

Every legitimate freight broker and carrier in the U.S. operates under FMCSA oversight. As a shipper, you do not need to memorize the regulations. You do need to know what the numbers on a broker's door — or website — actually mean.

USDOT number

The USDOT number identifies a company registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Brokers and carriers both have them. It is the baseline identifier for safety and compliance records.

Tru-Way Logistics LLC: USDOT 3402273. You can look it up on the FMCSA SAFER system or Licensing and Insurance (L&I) portal.

MC number (Motor Carrier number)

Brokers hold property broker authority — an MC number that allows them to arrange transportation for compensation. They are not hauling the freight themselves. They are contracting with carriers who hold their own authority.

Tru-Way: MC-1095327. Active property broker authority.

Broker vs carrier authority

This distinction matters. A broker coordinates freight between shippers and carriers. A carrier operates trucks (or leases them) under carrier authority. Some companies hold both. Many hold one or the other.

When you hire Tru-Way, you are hiring a broker. We arrange capacity through third-party carriers. We do not claim to own a fleet.

Why shippers should verify

Freight fraud is real. Double brokering, fake MC numbers, and uninsured operators create claims nightmares. Before you tender a load:

• Confirm the MC and USDOT on FMCSA
• Check that broker authority is active
• Make sure insurance is on file (brokers must maintain a BMC-84 bond or trust fund)

A broker who hesitates when you ask for authority details is a red flag.

What this means for your paperwork

Your rate confirmation and BOL should show the broker's legal name and MC number. The carrier moving the freight will have their own MC or USDOT on the truck and their documents.

Questions about our authority? Visit our About page or Carriers page for the full breakdown.