# FMCSA Carrier & Mover Authority Check (`veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check`) Actor

FMCSA authority lookup by USDOT or MC number: live operating status, common/contract/broker authority, safety rating, out-of-service, fleet size, crash and inspection OOS rates, plus a CLEAR / REVIEW / DO_NOT_TENDER verdict. Mover license check for brokers, shippers and movers. MCP-ready.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check.md
- **Developed by:** [Craig Nkonge](https://apify.com/veteran_zythem) (community)
- **Categories:** Automation, Business, Agents
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $100.00 / 1,000 carrier checkeds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## FMCSA Carrier & Mover Authority Check: USDOT / MC lookup

Look up any US motor carrier or mover by **USDOT number** or **MC number** and get the **live FMCSA record** with one clear verdict: **CLEAR**, **REVIEW**, **DO_NOT_TENDER** or **NOT_FOUND**.

Use it as a fast **FMCSA authority lookup** before you tender a load, or as a **mover license check** before you book an interstate move: is the company registered, allowed to operate, and holding active for-hire operating authority?

### What you get per carrier

| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `verdict` | `CLEAR` (allowed to operate, active authority, nothing flagged), `REVIEW` (something needs a look, e.g. conditional safety rating), `DO_NOT_TENDER` (not allowed to operate, or no active for-hire authority), `NOT_FOUND` (no FMCSA record for that number) |
| `flags` | Plain reasons, e.g. `NOT_ALLOWED_TO_OPERATE`, `NO_ACTIVE_FOR_HIRE_AUTHORITY`, `OUT_OF_SERVICE_DATE_PRESENT`, `UNSATISFACTORY_SAFETY_RATING`, `CONDITIONAL_SAFETY_RATING`, `STATUS_I` |
| `legalName`, `dbaName`, `city`, `state` | Who the number belongs to. Check it matches the company you're talking to |
| `allowedToOperate`, `statusCode`, `oosDate` | FMCSA operating status and any out-of-service date |
| `commonAuthority`, `contractAuthority`, `brokerAuthority` | Authority status (`A` active, `I` inactive, `N` none) |
| `forHireAuthorityActive`, `brokerOnly` | `brokerOnly: true` means it can arrange freight but not haul it: a double-brokering warning if it was offered as the carrier |
| `householdGoodsAuthority`, `moverNote` | **Movers:** household goods (HHG) authority, shown when FMCSA's record returns it, plus a plain-English mover note. When the record doesn't say, the field is `null` and the note tells you exactly what to confirm |
| `safetyRating`, `safetyRatingDate` | FMCSA safety rating (`S` satisfactory, `C` conditional, `U` unsatisfactory) |
| `powerUnits`, `drivers` | Fleet size |
| `crashTotal`, `fatalCrash`, `towCrash` | Crash summary |
| `driverInspections`, `driverOosRate`, `vehicleInspections`, `vehicleOosRate` | Inspection counts and out-of-service rates (%) |
| `retrievedAt`, `source` | When the live FMCSA record was read |
| `reference` | Your ID, echoed back |

### Who it's for

- **Freight brokers, dispatchers and shippers** checking a carrier before booking
- **Load boards, TMS and factoring companies** screening carriers in bulk
- **Moving brokers, relocation teams and consumers** checking that a moving company is a registered interstate mover
- **AI agents** that need a yes/no carrier gate in a workflow (works through the Apify MCP server)

### Input

```json
{
  "dotNumbers": ["44110"],
  "mcNumbers": ["MC-384859"],
  "carriers": [{ "reference": "LOAD-1001", "dot": "2233" }]
}
```

MC numbers work with or without the `MC-` prefix. Duplicates are checked once.

### Example output

Real output from Apify run MgckPsAIgo8nh4StM (USDOT 44110, Greyhound Lines, 19 Oct 2026; nested raw `carrier`/`authority`/`safety` objects trimmed):

```json
{
  "queryDot": "44110",
  "orderId": "ord_4eb51a3a01d43f0b",
  "verdict": "CLEAR",
  "found": true,
  "flags": [],
  "legalName": "GREYHOUND LINES INC",
  "dbaName": "BOLT BUS",
  "city": "DALLAS",
  "state": "TX",
  "allowedToOperate": "Y",
  "statusCode": "A",
  "oosDate": null,
  "commonAuthority": "A",
  "contractAuthority": "A",
  "brokerAuthority": "I",
  "forHireAuthorityActive": true,
  "brokerOnly": false,
  "householdGoodsAuthority": null,
  "moverNote": "Active for-hire operating authority. This record does not say whether it covers household goods; for an interstate move, confirm the HHG authority on FMCSA SAFER / Licensing & Insurance.",
  "safetyRating": "S",
  "safetyRatingDate": "2026-07-08",
  "powerUnits": 683,
  "drivers": 905,
  "crashTotal": 70,
  "fatalCrash": 6,
  "driverOosRate": 1.4360313315926894,
  "vehicleOosRate": 7.440476190476191,
  "source": "FMCSA QCMobile (US DOT, live)",
  "retrievedAt": "2026-10-19T06:18:14.694Z",
  "checkedAt": "2026-10-19T06:18:14.376Z",
  "error": null
}
```

A broker-only number such as MC 384859 (C H Robinson) comes back `DO_NOT_TENDER` with `NO_ACTIVE_FOR_HIRE_AUTHORITY` and `brokerOnly: true`: it can arrange your freight, but it is not the carrier.

### Pricing

**$0.10 per carrier checked**, no subscription. A `NOT_FOUND` answer is a real answer (often the most useful one) and counts as a check. **Failed or invalid lookups are free**: you get a row with an `error` and are not charged. Set a max cost per run and the Actor stops cleanly when it is reached.

### Want the full pre-tender verdict?

[Freight Load Vet](https://apify.com/veteran_zythem/freight-load-vet) adds FMCSA SMS safety BASICs, the broker's authority and an OFAC sanctions screen in one TENDER / HOLD / REJECT verdict.

### Important

Federal registration and safety data only. It does not check insurance, cargo coverage, the BOC-3 or the broker surety bond, and it is not a state moving license (intrastate movers are licensed by the state). Verify insurance before tendering or booking.

Built by **Ni Biashara LLC** (Texas). The same check is available pay-per-call to agents over x402 at [agents.nibiashara.biz](https://agents.nibiashara.biz).

# Actor input Schema

## `dotNumbers` (type: `array`):

Carrier or mover USDOT numbers. One row (and one charge) per unique number.

## `mcNumbers` (type: `array`):

MC numbers, with or without the MC- prefix (e.g. MC-123456 or 123456). One row (and one charge) per unique number.

## `carriers` (type: `array`):

Optional. One object per carrier: { "dot": "..." } or { "mc": "..." }, plus "reference" (your ID, echoed back). If both dot and mc are given, dot is used.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Safety cap on how many carriers this run checks.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "dotNumbers": [
    "44110"
  ],
  "maxItems": 500
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

All checked carriers in the default dataset (overview view).

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "dotNumbers": [
        "44110"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "dotNumbers": ["44110"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "dotNumbers": [
    "44110"
  ]
}' |
apify call veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,veteran_zythem/carrier-authority-check"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/Q89th0VoyvLAw3R2t/builds/FsDiIfbVZ88IKrBba/openapi.json