subject: Interstate Car Shipping Verification [print this page] These days, a lot of people are on the move around the country, often from one state to another in search of a new job or business opportunity, or even for schooling. Often, these types of moves require a person to take advantage of car shipping services.
While anyone who has experience driving is capable of driving a car across the country, not just anyone has the experience required to ship a vehicle. While anyone is capable of posting an ad that claims they offer car shipping services, the wise consumer will verify that persons or companys credentials before turning over their vehicle for delivery.
Car shipping is a specialized service. The law has set certain requirements that must be met in order for anyone to start up such a company. So any consumer who is interested in having their vehicle shipped from one state to another should do some research into any transport service they are considering hiring. Verify that each car shipping company has the appropriate licensing or certification along with liability insurance and customer references. The Better Business Bureau should be consulted as well, to find out if there are any complaints against these services.
Any car shipping company that plans to move cars from one state to another must be licensed though the Federal Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Carriers are the companies that actually move the vehicles, and the FMCSA will assign them a USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) number and an MC (Motor Carrier) number. A broker is issued only an MC number, and they are allowed to set up contracts between customers and carriers. But they do not actually move the vehicles themselves.
The USDOT number is used by customers to find out insurance and safety information about car shipping companies. The MC number is used by consumers to research the type of insurance that carriers are required to carry. This information can arm the consumer when he contracts with a car shipping firm to move his vehicle across state lines.
More information about specific car shipping companies can be found at the FMCSA website (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov). It should be consulted by anyone who needs to move their car across the country.
