Motor Carrier Lookup API Reference

Overview

Pass `dot` (USDOT number), `docket` (MC, MX or FF with digits, in any format such as MC-135797 or mc 0135797) or `mc` (digits of an MC number). A docket is resolved to its USDOT number through FMCSA's licensing file, and every docket the census lists for the carrier is joined in. No record returns 404; an entity can exist in licensing without a census record, in which case the census fields are null.

The record joins six FMCSA datasets published on data.transportation.gov: the Company Census File (identity, operation, fleet, drivers, MCS-150, safety rating, cargo and equipment), the Carrier file (common, contract and broker authority status, pending applications and revocations, BI&PD required and on file, cargo and bond requirements), ActPendInsur (active and pending insurance policies; coverage is published in thousands of dollars and converted), AuthHist (authority actions, which date the first grant behind `authority.firstGrantedDate` and `authorityAgeDays`), Revocation, and Out of Service Orders (only active orders). Authority is reported as active when any of the carrier's dockets has it active; insurance is that of the primary docket. Officer names and cell phone numbers are never collected.

`checks=true` adds `compliance`: usdot_active, operating_authority_active, no_revocation_pending, not_out_of_service, bipd_insurance (BI&PD on file at least `minBipd`, default 750000), cargo_insurance (highest cargo policy at least `minCargo`, skipped at the default 0), no_pending_cancellation, mcs150_current (within `maxMcs150Months`, default 24), authority_age (at least `minAuthorityDays`, default 0) and safety_rating_not_unsatisfactory. `passed` is true only when every check passes and `failed` lists the rest. `fleet.sizeBand` is our band of power units, and `mcs150.ageDays` and `authority.authorityAgeDays` are computed at request time.

Live Test Motor Carrier Lookup API →

Endpoint

One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.

GEThttps://api.apiverve.com/v1/motorcarrierlookup

1
2

curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/motorcarrierlookup?dot=80806&docket=MC135797&mc=135797&checks=true&history=true&minBipd=750000&minCargo=100000&maxMcs150Months=24&minAuthorityDays=90" \
  -H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"

const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/motorcarrierlookup?dot=80806&docket=MC135797&mc=135797&checks=true&history=true&minBipd=750000&minCargo=100000&maxMcs150Months=24&minAuthorityDays=90', {
  headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});

if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);

const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/motorcarrierlookup?dot=80806&docket=MC135797&mc=135797&checks=true&history=true&minBipd=750000&minCargo=100000&maxMcs150Months=24&minAuthorityDays=90",
    headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
    timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()

print(res.json()["data"])

package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"io"
	"net/http"
)

func main() {
	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/motorcarrierlookup?dot=80806&docket=MC135797&mc=135797&checks=true&history=true&minBipd=750000&minCargo=100000&maxMcs150Months=24&minAuthorityDays=90", nil)
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")

	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		panic(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()

	out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
	fmt.Println(string(out))
}

Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.

Authentication

Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.

401 is the only auth verdict

A 401 means the key is missing, invalid or expired. A 403 means the key is valid but not permitted here — blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Running out of credits is a 429.

Parameters

Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.

Parameter	Type	Description
`dot`Optional	string	USDOT number, for example 80806. Use dot, docket or mc length 0–12
`docket`Optional	string	Docket number with its prefix: MC, MX or FF, for example MC135797 length 0–12
`mc`Optional	string	MC number without the prefix, for example 135797 length 0–10
`checks`OptionalPremium	boolean	Add pass/fail compliance checks against the thresholds below
`history`OptionalPremium	boolean	Add authority history and revocations
`minBipd`OptionalPremium	integer	Compliance threshold: minimum BI&PD insurance on file in US dollars default 750000 · range 0–∞
`minCargo`OptionalPremium	integer	Compliance threshold: minimum cargo insurance in US dollars; 0 skips the check range 0–∞
`maxMcs150Months`OptionalPremium	integer	Compliance threshold: the MCS-150 must be updated within this many months default 24 · range 1–∞
`minAuthorityDays`OptionalPremium	integer	Compliance threshold: minimum days since operating authority was first granted range 0–∞

Response

Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.

Sample response

{
  "status": "ok",
  "error": null,
  "data": {
    "dotNumber": 80806,
    "legalName": "J B HUNT TRANSPORT INC",
    "dbaName": "J B HUNT",
    "status": "active",
    "entityTypes": [
      "freight_forwarder",
      "carrier",
      "shipper",
      "broker"
    ],
    "operation": "interstate",
    "operationClassifications": [
      "AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE"
    ],
    "businessType": "corporation",
    "registrationDate": "1974-06-01",
    "physicalAddress": {
      "street": "615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVE",
      "city": "LOWELL",
      "state": "AR",
      "zip": "72745",
      "country": "US"
    },
    "mailingAddress": {
      "street": "615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVE",
      "city": "LOWELL",
      "state": "AR",
      "zip": "72745",
      "country": "US"
    },
    "phone": "4798200000",
    "fax": "4798204566",
    "email": "lee.sarratt@jbhunt.com",
    "dockets": [
      {
        "docket": "MC135797",
        "prefix": "MC",
        "status": "active"
      },
      {
        "docket": "FF051075",
        "prefix": "FF",
        "status": "active"
      }
    ],
    "fleet": {
      "powerUnits": 25280,
      "trucks": 25280,
      "buses": 0,
      "drivers": 24116,
      "cdlDrivers": 23669,
      "interstateDrivers": 24116,
      "intrastateDrivers": 0,
      "sizeBand": "1000+"
    },
    "hazmat": true,
    "mcs150": {
      "date": "2025-07-07",
      "ageDays": 495,
      "mileage": 1629835251,
      "mileageYear": 2024
    },
    "safety": {
      "rating": "satisfactory",
      "ratingDate": "1992-05-08",
      "reviewType": "compliance_review",
      "reviewDate": "1992-01-31",
      "recordableCrashRate": null
    },
    "outOfService": false,
    "outOfServiceOrders": [],
    "cargoClasses": [
      "General Freight",
      "Metal: Sheets, Coils, Rolls",
      "Motor Vehicles",
      "Logs, Poles, Beams, Lumber",
      "Building Materials",
      "Fresh Produce",
      "Liquids/Gases",
      "Intermodal Containers",
      "Oilfield Equipment",
      "Livestock",
      "Grain, Feed, Hay",
      "Meat",
      "US Mail",
      "Chemicals",
      "Commodities Dry Bulk",
      "Refrigerated Food",
      "Beverages",
      "Paper Products",
      "Agricultural/Farm Supplies",
      "Construction",
      "Other: IEP"
    ],
    "equipment": {
      "straightTrucks": {
        "owned": 874,
        "termLeased": 415,
        "tripLeased": 0
      },
      "tractors": {
        "owned": 20871,
        "termLeased": 3120,
        "tripLeased": 0
      },
      "trailers": {
        "owned": 146851,
        "termLeased": 5330,
        "tripLeased": 0
      }
    },
    "dunsNumber": "6338552",
    "priorRevocation": null,
    "authority": {
      "common": "active",
      "contract": "active",
      "broker": "active",
      "applicationPending": {
        "common": false,
        "contract": false,
        "broker": false
      },
      "revocationPending": {
        "common": false,
        "contract": false,
        "broker": false
      },
      "authorizedFor": {
        "property": true,
        "passengers": false,
        "householdGoods": true,
        "private": false,
        "enterprise": false
      },
      "firstGrantedDate": "1976-12-06",
      "authorityAgeDays": 18240
    },
    "insurance": {
      "bipdRequiredUsd": 1000000,
      "bipdOnFileUsd": 3500000,
      "cargoRequired": true,
      "cargoOnFile": true,
      "cargoCoverageUsd": null,
      "bondRequired": true,
      "bondOnFile": true,
      "pendingCancellation": false,
      "nextCancellationDate": null,
      "policies": [
        {
          "type": "BIPD/Excess",
          "form": "91X",
          "insurer": "ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY",
          "policyNumber": "XSAH11347472",
          "postedDate": "2026-04-21",
          "effectiveDate": "2025-12-31",
          "cancellationDate": null,
          "coverageUsd": 2500000,
          "underlyingLimitUsd": 500000
        },
        {
          "type": "CARGO",
          "form": "83",
          "insurer": "TRAVELERS CASUALTY &  SURETY  CO. OF AMERICA",
          "policyNumber": "105917743",
          "postedDate": "2023-10-23",
          "effectiveDate": "2023-10-23",
          "cancellationDate": null,
          "coverageUsd": 0,
          "underlyingLimitUsd": 0
        },
        {
          "type": "SURETY",
          "form": "84",
          "insurer": "TRAVELERS CASUALTY &  SURETY  CO. OF AMERICA",
          "policyNumber": "105917743",
          "postedDate": "2013-12-31",
          "effectiveDate": "2014-01-13",
          "cancellationDate": null,
          "coverageUsd": 0,
          "underlyingLimitUsd": 0
        },
        {
          "type": "BIPD/Primary",
          "form": "91X",
          "insurer": "SELF-INSURED",
          "policyNumber": "NONE",
          "postedDate": "2019-07-15",
          "effectiveDate": "1993-03-01",
          "cancellationDate": null,
          "coverageUsd": 1000000,
          "underlyingLimitUsd": 0
        }
      ]
    },
    "dataAsOf": {
      "census": "2026-11-14T07:58:48.003Z",
      "licensing": "2026-11-14T07:58:48.003Z",
      "outOfService": "2026-11-14T07:58:54.373Z"
    }
  }
}

Response fields

Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.

Field	Type	Example	Description
`dotNumber`	number	`80806`	USDOT number
`legalName`	string	`"J B HUNT TRANSPORT INC"`	Legal name
`dbaName`	string	`"J B HUNT"`	Doing-business-as name
`status`	string	`"active"`	USDOT status: active, inactive or pending
`entityTypes`	array	`[freight_forwarder, ...]`	carrier, broker, shipper, registrant, freight_forwarder, cargo_tank or intermodal_equipment_provider
`operation`	string	`"interstate"`	interstate, intrastate_hazmat or intrastate_non_hazmat
`operationClassifications`	array	`[AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE]`	FMCSA operation classifications, for example AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE or PRIVATE PROPERTY
`businessType`	string	`"corporation"`	corporation, individual or partnership
`registrationDate`	string	`"1974-06-01"`	Date the USDOT number was added (YYYY-MM-DD)
`physicalAddress`	object	`{...}`	Physical address
`street`	string	`"615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVE"`	Street
`city`	string	`"LOWELL"`	City
`state`	string	`"AR"`	State
`zip`	string	`"72745"`	ZIP code
`country`	string	`"US"`	Country code
`mailingAddress`	object	`{...}`	Mailing address, with the same fields
`street`	string	`"615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVE"`
`city`	string	`"LOWELL"`
`state`	string	`"AR"`
`zip`	string	`"72745"`
`country`	string	`"US"`
`phone`Premium	string	`"4798200000"`	Business phone number
`fax`Premium	string	`"4798204566"`	Business fax number
`email`Premium	string	`"lee.sarratt@jbhunt.com"`	Business email address
`dockets`	array[2]		MC, MX and FF dockets
`docket`	string	`"MC135797"`	Docket number with prefix, for example MC135797
`prefix`	string	`"MC"`	MC, MX or FF
`status`	string	`"active"`	Docket status: active or inactive
`fleet`	object	`{...}`	Vehicles and drivers
`powerUnits`	number	`25280`	Power units
`trucks`	number	`25280`	Trucks
`buses`	number	`0`	Buses
`drivers`	number	`24116`	Total drivers
`cdlDrivers`	number	`23669`	Drivers with a CDL
`interstateDrivers`	number	`24116`	Interstate drivers
`intrastateDrivers`	number	`0`	Intrastate drivers
`sizeBand`	string	`"1000+"`	Fleet size band by power units: 0, 1, 2-5, 6-10, 11-50, 51-100, 101-500, 501-1000 or 1000+
`hazmat`	boolean	`true`	Whether the carrier hauls hazardous materials
`mcs150`	object	`{...}`	Latest MCS-150 biennial update
`date`	string	`"2025-07-07"`	Date of the latest MCS-150 (YYYY-MM-DD)
`ageDays`	number	`495`	Days since the latest MCS-150
`mileage`Premium	number	`1629835251`	Annual vehicle miles reported on the MCS-150
`mileageYear`Premium	number	`2024`	Year the mileage covers
`safety`	object	`{...}`	Safety rating and review
`rating`	string	`"satisfactory"`	satisfactory, conditional or unsatisfactory; null when unrated
`ratingDate`	string	`"1992-05-08"`	Date of the safety rating
`reviewType`	string	`"compliance_review"`	Type of the latest review, for example compliance_review
`reviewDate`	string	`"1992-01-31"`	Date of the latest review
`recordableCrashRate`Premium	object	`null`	Recordable crash rate from the latest review
`outOfService`	boolean	`false`	Whether the carrier has an active out-of-service order
`outOfServiceOrders`	array	`[]`	Active out-of-service orders
`cargoClasses`Premium	array	`[General Freight, ...]`	Cargo the carrier hauls
`equipment`Premium	object	`{...}`	Equipment by kind (straightTrucks, tractors, trailers, motorcoaches, schoolBuses, buses, vans, limousines), each with owned, termLeased and tripLeased counts
`straightTrucks`Premium	object	`{...}`
`owned`Premium	number	`874`
`termLeased`Premium	number	`415`
`tripLeased`Premium	number	`0`
`tractors`Premium	object	`{...}`
`owned`Premium	number	`20871`
`termLeased`Premium	number	`3120`
`tripLeased`Premium	number	`0`
`trailers`Premium	object	`{...}`
`owned`Premium	number	`146851`
`termLeased`Premium	number	`5330`
`tripLeased`Premium	number	`0`
`dunsNumber`Premium	string	`"6338552"`	Dun & Bradstreet number
`priorRevocation`	object	`null`	Set when the carrier had a USDOT number revoked before
`authority`	object	`{...}`	Operating authority across the carrier dockets
`common`	string	`"active"`	Common carrier authority: active, inactive or none
`contract`	string	`"active"`	Contract carrier authority: active, inactive or none
`broker`	string	`"active"`	Broker authority: active, inactive or none
`applicationPending`	object	`{...}`	Pending applications by authority: common, contract and broker booleans
`common`	boolean	`false`
`contract`	boolean	`false`
`broker`	boolean	`false`
`revocationPending`	object	`{...}`	Pending revocations by authority: common, contract and broker booleans
`common`	boolean	`false`
`contract`	boolean	`false`
`broker`	boolean	`false`
`authorizedFor`	object	`{...}`	Authority kinds: property, passengers, householdGoods, private and enterprise booleans

Errors

Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.

Status	Meaning	What to do
`400`	Input was rejected	Read `error`; it names the parameter.
`401`	Key missing or invalid	Check the header name and the key value.
`403`	Key valid, but not permitted	A key restriction or IP allow-list; see key scoping.
`429`	Rate limited, or out of credits	Read `error` to tell them apart; see rate limits.

Use cases

Freight Brokers: Vet a carrier before booking a load: active authority, insurance on file, no out-of-service order and a recent MCS-150, in one call.
Load Boards and TMS: Verify carriers at signup and re-check them on a schedule, flagging pending insurance cancellations and revocations.
Factoring and Lending: Check how long a carrier has held authority, its fleet size and its safety record before funding invoices.
Insurance Underwriting: Pull fleet, driver, mileage, cargo and crash-rate data to pre-fill and price commercial auto quotes.

Other ways to use Motor Carrier Lookup

Set up Motor Carrier Lookup on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.

Give it to an AI agentConnect over MCP and your agent calls it as a native tool — Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT.VerveKit →Reference →

Google Sheets or ExcelA =VERVE() formula fills a column — no script, no export, recalculates in place.VerveSheets →Reference →

Ground an agent on itA cited, machine-checkable fact your model can't produce on its own.VerveContext →Reference →

Motor Carrier Lookup