How to check a freight broker's FMCSA authority
A bad broker can wipe out a small carrier's month. Before you accept a load, take 60 seconds to verify the broker's MC number, USDOT, operating authority, and insurance status using FMCSA data.
Search the broker on BrokerTell. We pull live FMCSA data — authority, insurance, operating history — and combine it with verified carrier reviews and payment-speed reports in one view.
What to check (and why)
Operating authority status
Authority must be ACTIVE. Statuses like 'Inactive', 'Revoked', or 'Pending' mean the broker is not legally allowed to broker freight.
MC and USDOT numbers
Confirm both match the company name on the rate confirmation. Mismatches are the #1 sign of a double-broker or chameleon carrier.
Insurance on file
Brokers must have a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust. If insurance is lapsed or missing, you have no protection against non-payment.
Time in business
Authority granted in the last 6 months is a yellow flag — many chameleon carriers register fresh MCs to escape bad history.
Address and phone match
Compare FMCSA address and phone to what's on the rate con and email signature. Mismatches are a red flag.
Step by step
- Get the MC number from the rate confirmation or broker email.
- Search it on BrokerTell — we surface FMCSA + reviews in one view.
- Confirm authority is ACTIVE and insurance is current.
- Read recent reviews and check the payment-speed median.
- Check the Risk Zone for open non-payment or fraud reports.
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