Frequently Asked Questions

Trucking Record is a free public platform that provides access to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data. We index over 460,000 US motor carriers, allowing users to search for safety records, crash history, fleet information, and risk assessments.

No. Trucking Record is an independent, privately-operated platform. We are not affiliated with the USDOT, FMCSA, NHTSA, or any government agency. We source our data from official public federal databases but are not a government entity.

Yes, Trucking Record is completely free for public use. We support our operations through advertising (Google AdSense). There are no premium tiers or hidden fees—all safety data is freely accessible to everyone.

All carrier data is sourced from official federal databases, primarily:

• FMCSA SAFER System - Carrier registrations, safety ratings, crash data
• Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) - Inspection and compliance data
• NHTSA FARS Database - Fatal crash statistics

Our database is synchronized with federal records on a regular basis. The FMCSA typically updates their Safety Measurement System (SMS) data monthly. However, there may be a delay between federal updates and our display. Always verify critical information directly with official sources.

Since our data comes from federal databases, corrections typically must be made at the source (FMCSA). Carriers should file corrections directly with the FMCSA using their DataQs system.

If you believe our display is clearly outdated compared to official records, you can contact us at contact@truckingrecord.com.

A USDOT Number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to commercial motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. It's used to track safety information including inspections, crash investigations, compliance reviews, and safety audits.

Read our complete guide to USDOT Numbers

The Trucking Record Safety Score is a proprietary metric (not an official government rating) designed to help users quickly assess carrier safety performance. It considers:

• 24-month crash history (fatal, injury, tow-away)
• Fleet size relative to incidents
• Severity weighting of crashes

Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better safety performance. This is our analysis tool and should be used alongside official FMCSA safety ratings.

FMCSA assigns official safety ratings after compliance reviews:

• Satisfactory - Carrier has adequate safety management controls
• Conditional - Carrier does not have adequate safety management controls
• Unsatisfactory - Carrier does not have adequate controls and is prohibited from operating

Learn more about FMCSA safety ratings

Trucking Record provides informational data to help with research and due diligence. However, we are not a Consumer Reporting Agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For employment or significant business decisions, you should verify information directly with the FMCSA and other official sources.

Trucking Record is a valuable tool for preliminary carrier research. We recommend:

1. Search for carriers by name or USDOT number
2. Review safety records, crash history, and fleet size
3. Note any red flags (high crash rates, conditional ratings)
4. Verify information with official FMCSA sources
5. Request current Certificates of Insurance directly from carriers