Lookup and checklist · at the scene or afterFind the company behind the vehicleThe numbers on the door tell you.
Federal and California rules require most trucks used for business, and vans that haul for pay, to show the operating company's name and number on both sides. Type a USDOT number, an MC number, or a company name to see the company on record and the insurance it has filed. The checklist covers rentals, public vehicles, and plates.
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Written and reviewed by Josh Kohanim, Esq., California Bar No. 328609 · Published · Reviewed
Company on record
Type the number or the name from your photo. The result shows the company FMCSA has on file, its fleet, and the insurance it has filed.
From FMCSA's public Company Census File and its insurance filings, published on the U.S. DOT open data portal. A listing shows what a company registered and filed. It does not say who caused a crash, and insurance on file may not be all the coverage that applies. Wise Law is not affiliated with FMCSA, the U.S. DOT, or the CHP.
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The markings on the vehicle
Photos beyond the police report
Government vehicles
A plate number alone
Public vehicles: six months
A claim for injury against a city, a county, a transit agency, a school district, or the State must be presented within six months of the crash under Government Code section 911.2. That is far shorter than the two years for a lawsuit against a private company. Our government vehicle guide explains the claim.
What the federal records show
The lookup reads public data filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It shows filings, not responsibility: the federal SAFER snapshot lists crashes "without any determination as to responsibility," and a company on record is not proof of who was driving or who is liable. Insurance on file may not be the full coverage, and private fleets and carriers that stay inside California do not have to file liability insurance with FMCSA at all. The Safety Measurement System adds: "Readers should not draw conclusions about a carrier's overall safety condition simply based on the data displayed in this system."
No affiliation
Wise Law is not affiliated with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, or the California Highway Patrol. The lookup does not log your searches or tie them to you, and it links to the official federal pages, which are the authoritative record. This page is general information, not legal advice.
This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is formed only by a signed written fee agreement.
Questions about this tool
What is a USDOT number?
A USDOT number is the identification number the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues to a motor carrier. Under 49 CFR 390.21T, a commercial vehicle subject to federal rules must show it on both sides, after the letters "USDOT," next to the operating company's name. Typing it into the lookup above shows the company on record and the insurance it has filed.
Is the insurance shown in the lookup all the coverage the company has?
Not necessarily. Insurance on file with FMCSA may not be the full coverage. Private fleets and carriers that stay inside California do not have to file liability insurance with FMCSA, so an empty result does not mean the vehicle was uninsured. The full coverage is confirmed through the company's insurer or, in a lawsuit, through discovery.
Can I find out who owns a vehicle from its license plate?
Not through us, and we do not recommend any website that offers it. Federal law restricts the release and use of personal information in motor vehicle records. Instead, get the driver's information under Vehicle Code section 16025 at the scene, give the plate to the officer, and use the police report, which lists the registered owner.
The van says Amazon. Is Amazon the company I need?
Not necessarily. An Amazon-branded van is usually driven by an employee of a separate delivery company, and the name painted largest can be a brand rather than the employer. Photograph every marking and the driver's badge. Whether Amazon itself is responsible depends on the facts, which our Amazon delivery van guide explains.
What if a city or county truck hit me?
A claim for injury must be presented to the public entity within six months under Government Code section 911.2, much sooner than the two-year deadline for a lawsuit against a private company. Photograph the agency name, any seal, and the unit number, and keep the report number. A private hauler or contractor working for a city is not a public entity, so the name on the door matters.
Have a question about your case?
Speak with an attorney. The review is free and you will get a direct answer.
Tell us what happened and, if you can, what you saw on the vehicle. We will tell you who may be responsible and where you stand. A licensed attorney reads every message. Someone is available 24 hours a day, and we usually respond right away.
Written and reviewed by Josh Kohanim, Esq., California Bar No. 328609 · Published · Reviewed