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In the auto transport industry, you will encounter two main types of companies: legitimate ones and those who operate outside the law. When you’re searching for a quote, the difference in price between a trusted company and a scammer can be tempting, but choosing an unlicensed car shipping company is the fastest way to put your vehicle at risk.
The key to protecting yourself is one simple, verifiable number: the Motor Carrier (MC) Number.
This number is more than just a registration; it’s a non-negotiable legal requirement that is your ultimate proof of legitimacy. Here is a breakdown of why this single number is the most crucial detail when booking your auto transport.
What is an MC Number (and Why is it Required)?
An MC Number (Motor Carrier Number) is a unique license issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
The MC Number serves two primary functions:
Operating Authority: It grants a company the legal right to transport (or arrange for the transport of) regulated commodities—like vehicles—across state lines for compensation. Without it, a company cannot legally act as a broker or a carrier in interstate commerce.
Compliance Assurance: To receive and maintain an MC Number, an auto transport broker must prove it has met specific federal standards, including registering a Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement and maintaining a Process Agent (BOC-3) in every state where it operates.
In simple terms, an MC Number means the company has jumped through all the legal and financial hoops to be an accountable, regulated business in the eyes of the U.S. Government.
3 Critical Risks of Using an Unlicensed Auto Transport Company
When you choose to work with a company without a valid, verifiable MC Number, you are removing the layers of consumer protection designed to safeguard your vehicle and money.
1. Zero Financial & Insurance Accountability
The biggest threat from an unlicensed broker is the lack of a Surety Bond.
The Licensed Safety Net: Every licensed broker is required to carry a $75,000 surety bond. This is a form of financial protection for the customer. If the broker commits fraud, goes out of business after taking your money, or fails to pay the carrier, you have recourse to file a claim against this bond to recover your losses.
The Unlicensed Trap: A company without an MC Number has no such bond. If they take your deposit and vanish (a classic scam known as “bait-and-switch”), your money is gone, and you have no regulated authority to turn to for recovery.
2. The Carrier Network is Questionable
A reputable, licensed car shipping company (broker) only works with fully insured and licensed carriers (the truck drivers). This is their legal and professional obligation.
The Licensed Broker’s Duty: They vet carriers, verify their DOT insurance, and track their safety records. They are essentially a quality-control filter for you.
The Unlicensed Broker’s Practice: An unlicensed broker might work with carriers who are also unlicensed, underinsured, or have poor safety ratings. When corners are cut, the risk of damage, loss, or a truck breakdown leading to extreme delays increases dramatically. You are trusting your car to an unvetted network.
3. Price-Hike Scams and Bait-and-Switch
The only way an unlicensed company can offer a price significantly lower than the market rate is by having zero intention of honoring it.
The Scam: They advertise an impossibly low rate, take your deposit, and then disappear, or they use the low rate to reel you in, then call you a day before pickup with a new, much higher price, claiming “the market has changed” or “no carrier will take the load for that price.”
The Licensed Difference: While market-rate fluctuations happen, a licensed car shipping company provides quotes based on real-time data and can offer price assurance programs, backed by a commitment to regulatory transparency.
How to Verify Any Auto Transport Company in 30 Seconds
Before you agree to a price or provide any personal information, take these simple steps to verify the company’s legitimacy.
1. Find the MC Number
A licensed and trustworthy broker will proudly display their MC Number (and their USDOT Number) on their website footer, in their email signature, and on their quote sheet. It typically looks like MC-######.
2. Use the FMCSA SAFER System
The FMCSA provides a free, public database called the SAFER System (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records).
Action Step: Go to the official FMCSA SAFER website and use the “Company Snapshot” feature.
Search by: Enter the company’s MC Number or the full company name.
What to Look For:
Operating Status: Must be “Active”. If it says “Inactive,” “Revoked,” or “Suspended,” walk away immediately.
Authority Type: Look for “Broker.” The Granted Date should be present, and the Status should be “Active”.
Insurance/Bond: Verify that the Broker Surety Bond is listed and active.
If you can’t find an MC Number, or if the number you find is not active, you are talking to an unlicensed operator.
Don’t Just Get a Cheap Quote—Get Peace of Mind
At Easygologistics, we operate as a fully licensed and bonded auto transport broker. Our MC Number is MC-1652326.
We provide transparent, market-competitive pricing and back every shipment with the financial and regulatory assurance that only a federally licensed provider can offer.
Shipping your vehicle is a significant expense and a process that requires trust. Don’t risk your investment or your peace of mind to an unlicensed scammer. Always verify the MC Number.
Ready to ship with a licensed and reliable partner?