Who Gets the Load? New Motor Carrier Verification Guidance Explained

New motor carrier vetting guidance is urging brokers and shippers to apply consistent verification procedures when selecting trucking companies, particularly as fraud and cargo theft threats continue to affect freight transactions.

Guidance focuses on carrier selection

The Motor Carrier Selection Guidance identifies circumstances in which a carrier should not be offered freight. While some disqualifying conditions may be clear, the guidance also addresses the more difficult decisions involved in evaluating carriers that do not fall into an automatic disqualification category.

The goal is to help brokers and other transportation stakeholders make better-informed decisions by reviewing a carrier’s operating history, registration information, safety records and qualifications before tendering freight.

Verification remains a shared responsibility

Brokers and carriers are encouraged to maintain disciplined verification procedures even when operations are busy or commercial pressure is high. Confirming a company’s identity, operating authority and registration information can help reduce exposure to fraudulent carriers and unauthorized use of legitimate carrier identities.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides public resources for checking motor carrier registration and operating authority. FMCSA’s broader mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

Driver qualification requirements

Carrier selection is separate from, but related to, a motor carrier’s responsibility to ensure that its drivers are qualified. Under 49 CFR 391.11, a motor carrier may not require or permit a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless that person meets the applicable driver qualification requirements.

Those requirements are supported by carrier records and reports, which must be maintained as part of the motor carrier’s compliance responsibilities.

Industry relevance

Thorough vetting can help brokers and shippers distinguish established carriers from companies that may present inaccurate or incomplete credentials. It also gives compliant motor carriers a clearer way to demonstrate their operating status and safety-related information during the freight procurement process.