How to Verify an Auto Transport Company
First, find out whether the company you are talking to is a brokerage, a motor carrier, or both. That tells you who arranges your shipment and who will physically move your vehicle.
Then verify federal registration and operating authority yourself using official FMCSA tools: the SAFER Company Snapshot for USDOT records and the Licensing and Insurance system for MC authority, insurance and bond filings. The FMCSA explains who must register on its registration page.
A USDOT or MC number on its own does not prove a company is trustworthy. It confirms a registration exists. You still need to check that the record matches the business actually contacting you.
How can I verify an auto transport company?
Start by confirming the company's legal name, USDOT and/or MC number and operating authority through FMCSA. Determine whether the company is operating as a brokerage or motor carrier, and make sure the identity presented to you matches the federal record.
Auto Transport Brokerage vs. Motor Carrier
A brokerage arranges transportation with motor carriers. It matches your shipment with a carrier, coordinates timing and keeps you informed.
A motor carrier physically transports your vehicle using its own transportation equipment and drivers.
Enterprise Auto Transport LLC is an auto transport brokerage. Enterprise arranges vehicle transportation with motor carriers and does not represent itself as the motor carrier physically transporting the customer's vehicle.
Learn more about how we work on our About page and How It Works.
How Enterprise Auto Transport Verifies a Carrier
Enterprise Auto Transport uses a multi-step verification process designed to help identify identity discrepancies, insurance issues, authority concerns and other potential risk indicators before a customer's vehicle is released.
If the driver, truck, carrier, USDOT information or other identifying information does not match what Enterprise Auto Transport provided, do not release the vehicle. Contact Enterprise Auto Transport and allow us to verify the discrepancy first.
1. Carrier and FMCSA cross-check
Enterprise cross-checks the motor carrier's information using Central Dispatch and official FMCSA records to confirm that the company presented for the shipment corresponds with the carrier information being reviewed.
2. Professional carrier-risk screening
Enterprise uses professional carrier-vetting and fraud-detection technology to evaluate additional risk indicators beyond a basic authority lookup.
The review may include operating authority, safety and inspection history, insurance information, business information, compliance history, related-entity information, reported incidents, suspicious changes to carrier records and other potential fraud or identity-risk indicators.
3. Insurance and business identity verification
Enterprise independently verifies carrier insurance information and cross-checks identifying business information against federal records.
Address information is compared with the carrier's FMCSA information. Discrepancies can trigger additional verification before the carrier is approved for the shipment.
4. Driver identity
Enterprise requires the driver's name, direct phone number and CDL information.
Customers are instructed to confirm that the carrier and driver arriving to pick up the vehicle match the carrier assigned to their shipment and to request to see the driver's CDL before releasing the vehicle.
If the driver or carrier arriving at pickup does not match the information provided by Enterprise Auto Transport, the customer should not release the vehicle until Enterprise has verified the change.
5. Truck identification
Enterprise requires identifying information for the actual truck involved in the shipment, including a photograph of the truck.
6. USDOT identification
Customers are instructed to look for the USDOT identification displayed on the truck and confirm that the carrier arriving for pickup corresponds with the carrier Enterprise assigned to the shipment.
Do not rely on a removable paper sign alone as proof of carrier identity.
7. License plate documentation
Enterprise's verification process includes documenting or verifying identifying license-plate information for the transport vehicle when applicable.
8. Direct communication
Enterprise obtains direct contact information for the carrier or its authorized dispatcher and communicates with them as part of the dispatch and verification process. Driver contact information is also obtained so the customer can verify the person arriving for pickup.
9. Customer verification at pickup
The customer is an important final part of the verification process.
Before releasing the vehicle, Enterprise instructs customers to confirm that the carrier and driver who arrive are the ones assigned to their shipment.
If something does not match, the customer should stop and contact Enterprise before releasing the vehicle.
10. Bill of Lading
A Bill of Lading and vehicle-condition documentation are required as part of the transportation process. Customers should review the vehicle's condition at pickup and again at delivery and retain their documentation.
11. Pickup PIN
Enterprise uses a pickup PIN/security-code procedure as an additional vehicle-release safeguard. Customers should not provide the pickup PIN until the identity of the appropriate driver and carrier has been confirmed and the vehicle is ready to be released.
12. GPS or AirTag recommendation
Enterprise recommends that customers consider placing their own AirTag or other lawful personal GPS or tracking device in the vehicle during transportation.
Tracking technology is an additional precaution. It does not guarantee against theft, loss or other problems.
13. License plates
Depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements, Enterprise may recommend that customers remove their vehicle license plates before transportation and secure them inside the vehicle, such as in the trunk. Customers should follow applicable state requirements and Enterprise's instructions for their specific shipment.
14. Enterprise's internal verification technology
Enterprise uses its own internal technology, HaulCentrix, along with internal procedures as part of its carrier-verification and fraud-prevention process.
These verification procedures are designed to reduce risk and help identify inconsistencies. They are an additional safeguard, not a guarantee, which is why the customer checks below matter too.
Before You Release Your Vehicle
The person who arrives should match the carrier and driver information you were given. Use this checklist at pickup:
- Confirm the carrier or company name.
- Confirm the driver's identity.
- Look for identifying USDOT information on the truck where applicable.
- Photograph the truck.
- Photograph identifying markings.
- Photograph the truck's license plate when appropriate.
- Take detailed photos of your vehicle immediately before loading.
- Take a walk-around video of your vehicle.
- Record any existing damage.
- Keep copies of all transport documents.
- Never release the vehicle solely because someone says the brokerage sent them.
Enterprise customers should follow the specific pickup instructions provided for their shipment. For getting the car itself ready, see our vehicle preparation checklist.
Our Pickup PIN Protection guide explains how to keep the code private and what to do if a pickup request does not match your assignment.
Why the Bill of Lading Matters
The Bill of Lading is the main document of your shipment. At pickup, you and the driver note your vehicle's condition on it and both sign. At delivery, you compare the vehicle against that record before signing again.
Documenting condition at both ends gives everyone the same written starting point if a question comes up later. Read it before you sign, make sure any existing damage is marked, and keep your copy along with your photos.
What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?
Consumers sometimes find that the company they believed was arranging or transporting their vehicle is not the company ultimately involved. A shipment may have been passed along to another party without their knowledge.
Knowing the identity of the actual brokerage and the actual motor carrier matters because those are the companies responsible for your vehicle, your paperwork and your payment. Ask who the carrier will be, and confirm the truck and driver match before release.
Auto Transport Identity Theft and Company Impersonation
Legitimate company information can be copied or misused by unrelated parties. Before you trust a message, verify:
- The legal company name
- The website and domain
- The telephone number
- The USDOT and MC information
- The payment instructions
- The identity of the company communicating with you
If a call, text or email seems off, confirm it independently, using contact details you looked up yourself, before sending money or releasing a vehicle. Our only phone number is (239) 273-4649.
Be Careful With Auto Transport Listings and Online Profiles
An online listing by itself should not be treated as proof that a business is legitimate. Compare the name, phone number and address shown in search results or directories with the official FMCSA record and the company's own website. If they don't line up, ask why before you go further.
Read Fake Google Business Profiles in Auto Transport for listing warning signs and ways to verify the brokerage behind a quote.
Reducing Vehicle Theft Risk During Auto Transport
These practical precautions can help lower risk:
- Know which company and driver are expected.
- Verify any unexpected substitution with the brokerage before releasing the vehicle.
- Photograph the vehicle and the transporter.
- Document the pickup.
- Keep valuables and sensitive personal information out of the vehicle.
- Follow the brokerage's and carrier's rules on personal belongings.
- Consider a personal vehicle-tracking device where lawful and appropriate.
- Keep shipment and contact information handy during transport.
These steps reduce risk but cannot eliminate it entirely.
Carrier screening and pickup identity checks work together. Our real carrier-screening example explains why positive reviews should be checked alongside authority, insurance, driver and truck information.
Our Customer Information Protection guide covers necessary shipment sharing, inspection-app privacy questions and unexpected requests for personal details.
Can an Extremely Low Auto Transport Quote Be a Warning Sign?
A low price alone does not establish fraud. Transport prices depend on carrier availability, route, vehicle size, season, equipment type and market conditions, so quotes for the same move can vary.
Ask whether a quoted amount is an estimate or a guaranteed or contracted price, and what circumstances could change it. Get the answer in writing. Our car shipping cost guide explains what drives pricing.
What Should I Do If the Driver or Truck Doesn't Match?
Direct answer
Do not release the vehicle until the discrepancy has been verified with the brokerage or company that arranged the shipment.
Legitimate operational changes do happen, but unexpected driver, truck, carrier or payment changes should be independently confirmed. Enterprise customers should contact Enterprise Auto Transport directly at (239) 273-4649 before releasing the vehicle whenever something doesn't match their dispatch information.