Carrier Vetting Process: How We Ensure Safe and Reliable Auto Transport

When shipping a vehicle, choosing the right carrier is just as important as getting the right price. Unfortunately, not all auto transport companies follow the same standards, which is why a proper carrier vetting process is critical.

At FastCarShip, we don’t work with random carriers. Every carrier that receives leads through our platform goes through a structured verification and screening process designed to protect customers and ensure reliable service.

Below, we explain exactly how our carrier vetting process works and why it matters.

Why Carrier Vetting Matters in Auto Transport

Auto transport is a regulated industry, but regulation alone doesn’t guarantee quality.

Unvetted carriers may:

• Operate without proper authority
• Carry insufficient insurance
• Have poor safety records
• Cancel pickups or delay deliveries
• Put vehicles at risk

A proper vetting process filters out these risks before a customer is ever connected to a transport company.

Step 1: FMCSA Authority Verification

The first step in our carrier vetting process is verifying FMCSA authority.

We check:

• USDOT number
• MC number
• Operating authority status (Active / Inactive)
• Carrier type (Carrier, Broker, or Both)

Only carriers with active FMCSA authority are eligible to work with our trusted broker partners.

If a carrier’s authority is inactive, suspended, or revoked — they are automatically excluded.

Step 2: Insurance Coverage Validation

Insurance is one of the most misunderstood aspects of auto transport.

We verify that carriers have:

• Active cargo insurance
• Active liability insurance
• Coverage amounts that meet or exceed federal requirements

This ensures that vehicles are protected during transport and that customers are not exposed to unnecessary risk.

Carriers without valid insurance are never approved.

Step 3: Safety Record & Compliance Review

We review each carrier’s safety history using public FMCSA and USDOT data.

This includes:

• Unsafe driving violations
• Vehicle maintenance issues
• Crash and inspection history
• Out-of-service rates

Carriers with repeated or serious safety violations are filtered out. Safety performance is a non-negotiable requirement.

Step 4: Load Board & Performance History Check

Before working with a carrier, our broker partners review their performance history across industry load boards.

This helps identify:

• Pickup reliability
• Delivery consistency
• Cancellation patterns
• Communication quality

Carriers with poor reliability or negative performance trends are excluded from dispatch consideration.

Step 5: Reputation & Complaint Review

While no company is perfect, patterns matter.

We review:

• Public complaints
• Review trends
• Business credibility signals (such as BBB accreditation when available)

Our focus is consistency, professionalism, and customer satisfaction — not just one-off reviews.

Step 6: Professional Standards & Communication

Reliable transport is about more than paperwork.

Approved carriers must demonstrate:

• Professional communication
• Clear scheduling expectations
• Respect for pickup and delivery windows
• Responsiveness to brokers and customers

Carriers who fail to meet professional standards are removed from active consideration.

How This Process Protects Customers

By applying this vetting process, we help ensure that customers are only connected with reliable, insured, and verified transport companies.

This leads to:

• Fewer cancellations
• Accurate pricing expectations
• Higher on-time delivery rates
• Safer vehicle handling

Most importantly, it builds trust — which is essential in auto transport.

Our Role: Transparency, Not Brokerage

FastCarShip is not an auto transport broker.
We operate as an information and lead-routing platform.

Our role is to:

• Educate customers about auto transport
• Help them understand pricing, safety, and process
• Route qualified leads to trusted, professional broker partners

Every lead submitted through our platform is handled with care and routed responsibly.

Why This Matters Before You Request a Quote

Understanding the carrier vetting process helps customers make informed decisions.

Before requesting a quote, it’s important to know:

• Who may handle your vehicle
• What standards they are held to
• How risks are minimized

That’s why we believe transparency is just as important as pricing.

🔹 FAQ 1

What is a carrier vetting process?
Carrier vetting is the process of verifying an auto transport company’s authority, insurance, safety record, and performance history before allowing them to handle customer shipments.

🔹 FAQ 2

Do you verify USDOT and MC numbers?
Yes. Every carrier is checked for active USDOT and MC authority through FMCSA records before being approved.

🔹 FAQ 3

Are carriers required to have insurance?
Absolutely. We verify active cargo and liability insurance to ensure vehicles are protected during transport.

🔹 FAQ 4

Does FastCarShip act as a broker?
No. FastCarShip is an educational and lead-routing platform that connects customers with vetted and trusted broker partners.

🔹 FAQ 5

Why is carrier vetting important for customers?
Vetting reduces the risk of delays, cancellations, vehicle damage, and fraud by ensuring only reliable companies are involved.