Who Gets the Load? New Guidance Clarifies Motor Carrier Verification

New motor carrier vetting guidance emphasizes that brokers and shippers should use consistent verification procedures when evaluating carriers, particularly when a carrier does not meet clearly defined safety or qualification standards.

Guidance outlines carrier selection standards

The Motor Carrier Selection Guidance identifies circumstances in which a carrier should not be offered freight. While some disqualifying conditions are straightforward, evaluating carriers that fall outside those categories can require additional review and documentation.

The guidance is intended to help brokers make better-informed decisions when selecting motor carriers and to establish consistent standards for carrier qualification.

Verification procedures remain critical

Brokers and carriers are encouraged to maintain disciplined verification procedures, even when operations are busy or commercial pressure is high. Consistent checks can help identify sophisticated fraud attempts, identity issues and potential cargo theft risks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides public resources that can be used to verify operating authority, registration information and other carrier records through official government databases.

FMCSA’s primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Carrier qualification and monitoring practices are part of the broader effort to improve safety across the industry.

Driver qualification and cargo securement

Federal regulations also establish requirements for driver qualification. Under 49 CFR 391.11, a motor carrier may not require or permit an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless that person is qualified under the applicable requirements.

Drivers also have direct responsibilities related to cargo securement. The driver is responsible for ensuring that a load is properly secured before the vehicle moves and for re-inspecting the securement during the trip as required.

Documentation supports safety decisions

For carriers seeking freight, maintaining current operating, safety and qualification records can help demonstrate compliance during the broker review process. For brokers, documenting the information used to approve or reject a carrier can provide a consistent basis for selection decisions.

The guidance underscores that safe operations must be supported by verifiable records, not only by a carrier’s own claims about its safety performance.