Motor carrier

A motor carrier is the company that actually moves the vehicle. Federal law defines it as a person providing motor vehicle transportation for compensation. In auto transport, that is the trucking company whose truck, trailer and driver pick up the car, haul it and deliver it, from owner-operators with one trailer to fleets running many multi-car rigs.

Carriers that haul for hire across state lines register with FMCSA, hold a USDOT number and need interstate operating authority. They must file proof of public liability insurance at federally set minimums. Coverage for the vehicles on the truck, cargo insurance, is a separate matter governed by the carrier's own policy.

The distinction from a broker matters to shippers. The carrier has physical custody of the vehicle, issues the bill of lading, and its cargo coverage is typically where damage claims are resolved. A broker arranges the move but does not haul it. Under federal rules, a carrier arranging a load it is authorized to carry, and has accepted and committed to haul, is not acting as a broker.

When a shopper books through an AutoTransportVehicle.com widget, AutoTransportVehicle.com's FMCSA-licensed fulfillment partner, as broker of record, assigns an authorized motor carrier to the shipment. AutoTransportVehicle.com does not haul vehicles.