Freight Broker Verification

FreeBroker check · No sign-up

Free Freight Broker Verification by MC or USDOT Number

Check a freight broker before you haul their load. Enter the broker’s MC or USDOT number to confirm they are on Awahe’s broker list, then verify FMCSA operating authority and the BMC-84 bond on SAFER.


FMCSA public dataBond confirmed live before any warningEnglish · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ · हिंदी
Checked against official FMCSA records
SAFER authorityL&I bond & BOC-3SMS safety
FreeNo account or limit
<2 minPer broker check
$75KSecurity every broker needs
3Languages of support
What gets checked

Six things to confirm before a truck moves

A real broker passes every one of these. A missing filing or a mismatch is your cue to stop and call before you dispatch.

Active broker authority

The MC docket should show authorized for broker property with an active status. Inactive, revoked or pending authority means the broker cannot legally arrange interstate freight.

Authorized · ActiveOK to continue
PendingNot yet legal
Inactive or revokedDo not book
$75,000required

BMC-84 or BMC-85 on file

Every licensed broker must keep $75,000 of financial security with FMCSA: a BMC-84 surety bond or a BMC-85 trust fund. No active filing, no valid authority.

BOC-3 process agent

Names the broker’s legal process agents in each state. Required before authority is granted.

USDOT and MCS-150 details

Legal name, DBA, address, phone and email should match the rate confirmation.

Authority age and history

Very new authority, recent name changes or a reinstated docket are not proof of fraud, but they deserve a second look and a call to the number on file.

Double brokering red flags

Mismatched email domains, a phone number that is not on the FMCSA record and pressure to skip setup are the most common signs of identity theft.

How it works

Verify any broker in three steps

Run these every time you book with a broker you have not worked with before, and again if anything about the load or the contact changes.

  1. 1

    Search the broker on Awahe

    Enter the MC number printed on the rate confirmation, not one read out on the phone. A match shows their tier, carrier setup and load board links.

    Awahe broker check
  2. 2

    Confirm authority and bond on SAFER

    Check the operating status is active, the authority type is broker, and a $75,000 BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund is on file with no cancellation notice.

    SAFER · L&I
  3. 3

    Call the number on the FMCSA record

    Not the number in the email signature. Confirm the load, the contact and the email domain before you dispatch a truck.

    Phone
Green lights and red flags

Know when to book and when to call

Safe to book

Every box should be checked
  • Authority is active and the type is broker
  • BMC-84 or BMC-85 is active with no cancellation notice
  • The phone number matches the FMCSA record
  • The email domain matches the broker’s website
  • The rate is in line with the market for that lane

Stop and call

Any one of these is enough
  • An email domain that does not match the broker’s website
  • A phone number that is not on the FMCSA record
  • A rate far above the market for that lane
  • Pressure to skip carrier setup or paperwork
  • A bond cancellation notice on L&I
Broker security

BMC-84 surety bond vs BMC-85 trust fund

Both meet the same FMCSA requirement: $75,000 that carriers and shippers can claim against if a broker fails to pay. The difference is who holds the money.


Most commonBMC-84Surety bond
Cash optionBMC-85Trust fund
Security amount
$75,000
$75,000
Who holds it
A surety company guarantees it
A trust fund manager holds the full amount
Cash up front
A yearly premium
The full $75,000
Credit check
Usually part of approval
None
On L&I it shows as
A surety bond filing
A trust fund filing
Watch for cancellation notices. When a surety cancels a BMC-84, the clock starts on the broker losing authority. Check L&I again before each new load.
Who uses it

Built for everyone who moves freight

Owner-operatorsBooking from a new broker
Truck dispatchersBuilding broker packets
ShippersHanding freight to a broker
Factoring companiesApproving broker credit
New freight brokersChecking co-brokers and filings
When there is a match

Everything you need in one card

If the broker is on Awahe’s list, you get their tier, carrier setup link, load board, website and social profiles, plus a one-click SAFER snapshot to confirm live authority and bond before you book.

MATCH FOUND
Broker is on Awahe’s listVerified
Broker tierSee how we rate this brokerShown
Carrier setup linkStart their carrier packet in one tapReady
Load board linkGo straight to their freightReady
Website and socialKnow who you are dealing withReady
SAFER snapshotLive authority and bond on FMCSA1 click
Everything you need to book with confidence
All linksin one card
Instantno sign-up
FAQ

Freight broker verification questions

Straight answers about broker authority, bonds and double brokering.

Still unsure about a broker?

Talk to our team. Open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific, in English, Punjabi and Hindi.

(209) 655-0001Book a free demo class
How do I verify a freight broker's FMCSA authority?

Search the broker's MC or USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER and open the company snapshot. The operating status should be authorized for broker property, and the authority should be active, not inactive, pending or revoked. Then confirm the BMC-84 or BMC-85 filing in Licensing and Insurance.

What is an MC number status check?

It is a lookup of a broker's or carrier's motor carrier docket number on FMCSA records to see whether its operating authority is active, inactive, pending or revoked, and which type of authority it holds, such as broker or common carrier.

What is a BMC-84 bond for freight brokers?

A BMC-84 is the surety bond form a freight broker files with FMCSA to show $75,000 of financial security. If the broker does not pay carriers or shippers, they can make a claim against the bond.

What is the difference between BMC-84 and BMC-85?

Both provide the required $75,000. A BMC-84 is a surety bond guaranteed by a surety company, while a BMC-85 is a trust fund where the broker deposits the full amount with a trust fund manager.

How can I tell if a load is being double brokered?

Common signs are an email domain that does not match the broker, a phone number that is not on the FMCSA record, a rate that is far above market, and pressure to skip carrier setup. Always call the number listed on FMCSA before you accept the load.

Can a freight broker operate without an MC number?

No. A broker arranging interstate freight for compensation needs FMCSA broker authority, a USDOT number, a BOC-3 filing and an active BMC-84 or BMC-85 on file.

Is this freight broker check free?

Yes. The broker check on this page is free and links you straight to the official FMCSA records. There is no account or sign-up.

Where can I learn freight broker compliance properly?

Awahe Academy teaches broker authority, BOC-3, BMC-84 bonds, carrier vetting and fraud prevention in live one-on-one freight broker training, online or in person in Tracy and Fresno, California.

Learn to vet brokers like a pro

Broker authority, bonds, carrier packets and fraud prevention are part of our live one-on-one training, online or in person in Tracy and Fresno.

  • Live 1-on-1 with a working broker
  • Online or in person in California
  • English, Punjabi and Hindi
Freight broker trainingBook a free demo class
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