Auto transport broker

An auto transport broker arranges car shipments for compensation but does not haul them. Federal law defines a broker as a party, other than a motor carrier, that sells, offers or negotiates transportation that a motor carrier performs. In practice, the broker takes the order, finds and books a carrier, and stays the customer's point of contact until delivery.

Brokers that arrange interstate moves register with FMCSA and must keep $75,000 in financial security on file, most often as a broker surety bond. Federal rules also bar a broker from presenting itself as a carrier, and its advertising has to make clear that it arranges transportation rather than performing it.

For a dealer or auction, a broker is useful because it can reach a large pool of carriers across many routes, which matters most for one-off and out-of-state deliveries. The tradeoff is an extra party in the chain, so it pays to confirm the broker's registration and to know which motor carrier will actually pick up the vehicle.

AutoTransportVehicle.com is not a broker. When a shopper books from an AutoTransportVehicle.com quote widget, the shipment is arranged by AutoTransportVehicle.com's FMCSA-licensed fulfillment partner, which acts as broker of record. For a side-by-side look at the two roles, read auto transport broker vs. carrier.