Docs/Skills/Motor Carrier Lookup

Motor Carrier Lookup

FMCSA carrier, authority and insurance lookup by USDOT or MC number

OperationalCredits 1 per callp50 378msTransportation

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 Skill →

The tool

Once your client is connected to the VerveKit server, this appears in its tool list as MotorCarrierLookup. It is read-only and open-world — it fetches and never mutates anything on your side — so most clients call it without asking you to confirm.

Tool call
{
  "name": "MotorCarrierLookup",
  "arguments": {}
}

Connecting

One server URL covers every skill in the catalog, including this one. Authorization is OAuth: the client opens a browser once, and there is no key to paste into a config file.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vervekit": {
      "url": "https://api.vervekit.com/v1/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Per-client setup — Claude, Cursor, VS Code, ChatGPT — is on the MCP setup page.

Arguments

These are the properties on the tool's inputSchema, so a well-behaved client validates them before the call is made. Premium arguments are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.

ArgumentTypeDescription
dotOptionalstringUSDOT number, for example 80806. Use dot, docket or mc
length 0–12
docketOptionalstringDocket number with its prefix: MC, MX or FF, for example MC135797
length 0–12
mcOptionalstringMC number without the prefix, for example 135797
length 0–10
checksOptionalPremiumbooleanAdd pass/fail compliance checks against the thresholds below
historyOptionalPremiumbooleanAdd authority history and revocations
minBipdOptionalPremiumintegerCompliance threshold: minimum BI&PD insurance on file in US dollars
default 750000 · range 0–∞
minCargoOptionalPremiumintegerCompliance threshold: minimum cargo insurance in US dollars; 0 skips the check
range 0–∞
maxMcs150MonthsOptionalPremiumintegerCompliance threshold: the MCS-150 must be updated within this many months
default 24 · range 1–∞
minAuthorityDaysOptionalPremiumintegerCompliance threshold: minimum days since operating authority was first granted
range 0–∞

What the model gets back

The result carries a structuredContent object matching the tool's declared outputSchema, so a client reads fields without parsing prose. status is "ok" and error is null on success; a null field means the value was not available for that input, not that the call failed.

Result
{
  "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": "[email protected]",
    "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.

FieldTypeExampleDescription
dotNumbernumber80806USDOT number
legalNamestringJ B HUNT TRANSPORT INCLegal name
dbaNamestringJ B HUNTDoing-business-as name
statusstringactiveUSDOT status: active, inactive or pending
entityTypesarray["freight_forwarder","carrier","shipper"]carrier, broker, shipper, registrant, freight_forwarder, cargo_tank or intermodal_equipment_provider
operationstringinterstateinterstate, intrastate_hazmat or intrastate_non_hazmat
operationClassificationsarray["AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE"]FMCSA operation classifications, for example AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE or PRIVATE PROPERTY
businessTypestringcorporationcorporation, individual or partnership
registrationDatestring1974-06-01Date the USDOT number was added (YYYY-MM-DD)
physicalAddressobject{…}Physical address
physicalAddress.streetstring615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVEStreet
physicalAddress.citystringLOWELLCity
physicalAddress.statestringARState
physicalAddress.zipstring72745ZIP code
physicalAddress.countrystringUSCountry code
mailingAddressobject{…}Mailing address, with the same fields
mailingAddress.streetstring615 J B HUNT CORPORATE DRIVE
mailingAddress.citystringLOWELL
mailingAddress.statestringAR
mailingAddress.zipstring72745
mailingAddress.countrystringUS
phonePremiumstring4798200000Business phone number
faxPremiumstring4798204566Business fax number
emailPremiumstring[email protected]Business email address
docketsarray[2]MC, MX and FF dockets
dockets.0.docketstringMC135797Docket number with prefix, for example MC135797
dockets.0.prefixstringMCMC, MX or FF
dockets.0.statusstringactiveDocket status: active or inactive
fleetobject{…}Vehicles and drivers
fleet.powerUnitsnumber25280Power units
fleet.trucksnumber25280Trucks
fleet.busesnumber0Buses
fleet.driversnumber24116Total drivers
fleet.cdlDriversnumber23669Drivers with a CDL
fleet.interstateDriversnumber24116Interstate drivers
fleet.intrastateDriversnumber0Intrastate drivers
fleet.sizeBandstring1000+Fleet size band by power units: 0, 1, 2-5, 6-10, 11-50, 51-100, 101-500, 501-1000 or 1000+
hazmatbooleantrueWhether the carrier hauls hazardous materials
mcs150object{…}Latest MCS-150 biennial update
mcs150.datestring2025-07-07Date of the latest MCS-150 (YYYY-MM-DD)
mcs150.ageDaysnumber495Days since the latest MCS-150
mcs150.mileagePremiumnumber1629835251Annual vehicle miles reported on the MCS-150
mcs150.mileageYearPremiumnumber2024Year the mileage covers
safetyobject{…}Safety rating and review
safety.ratingstringsatisfactorysatisfactory, conditional or unsatisfactory; null when unrated
safety.ratingDatestring1992-05-08Date of the safety rating
safety.reviewTypestringcompliance_reviewType of the latest review, for example compliance_review
safety.reviewDatestring1992-01-31Date of the latest review
safety.recordableCrashRatePremiumobjectnullRecordable crash rate from the latest review
outOfServicebooleanfalseWhether the carrier has an active out-of-service order
outOfServiceOrdersarray[]Active out-of-service orders
cargoClassesPremiumarray["General Freight","Metal: Sheets, Coils, Rolls","Motor Vehicles"]Cargo the carrier hauls
equipmentPremiumobject{…}Equipment by kind (straightTrucks, tractors, trailers, motorcoaches, schoolBuses, buses, vans, limousines), each with owned, termLeased and tripLeased counts
equipment.straightTrucksPremiumobject{…}
equipment.straightTrucks.ownedPremiumnumber874
equipment.straightTrucks.termLeasedPremiumnumber415
equipment.straightTrucks.tripLeasedPremiumnumber0
equipment.tractorsPremiumobject{…}
equipment.tractors.ownedPremiumnumber20871
equipment.tractors.termLeasedPremiumnumber3120
equipment.tractors.tripLeasedPremiumnumber0
equipment.trailersPremiumobject{…}
equipment.trailers.ownedPremiumnumber146851
equipment.trailers.termLeasedPremiumnumber5330
equipment.trailers.tripLeasedPremiumnumber0
dunsNumberPremiumstring6338552Dun & Bradstreet number
priorRevocationobjectnullSet when the carrier had a USDOT number revoked before
authorityobject{…}Operating authority across the carrier dockets
authority.commonstringactiveCommon carrier authority: active, inactive or none
authority.contractstringactiveContract carrier authority: active, inactive or none
authority.brokerstringactiveBroker authority: active, inactive or none
authority.applicationPendingobject{…}Pending applications by authority: common, contract and broker booleans
authority.applicationPending.commonbooleanfalse
authority.applicationPending.contractbooleanfalse
authority.applicationPending.brokerbooleanfalse
authority.revocationPendingobject{…}Pending revocations by authority: common, contract and broker booleans
authority.revocationPending.commonbooleanfalse
authority.revocationPending.contractbooleanfalse
authority.revocationPending.brokerbooleanfalse
authority.authorizedForobject{…}Authority kinds: property, passengers, householdGoods, private and enterprise booleans

Failure modes

Errors come back as tool errors carrying a sentence the model can act on, not a bare status code. Error handling covers the full list.

StatusWhat it means
400 / 422The arguments did not validate. The message names the offending one.
401The OAuth session is invalid or expired — reconnect the server.
403Blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Never a bad identity.
404This skill is not part of VerveKit. Check the catalog.
429Out of credits, or a brief rate limit. The message tells them apart.

A call costs 1 credit each time the tool actually runs; a model that reasons about the tool without calling it costs nothing.

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 VerveKit, or reach the same source a different way. Your VerveKit account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.

Call it as a REST APIOne HTTPS endpoint and an x-api-key header, with SDKs for Node, Python and .NET.APIVerve →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 →

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