Verify authority and insurance
Every operating carrier must hold active USDOT and MC authority with current liability coverage. Ask for the numbers and check them yourself.
Read the safety record
FMCSA publishes inspection and crash history per carrier. A Satisfactory rating and clean out-of-service percentages matter more than a polished website.
Fleet age and maintenance
Ask the model year of the vehicle assigned to your trip, not the newest vehicle in the marketing photos.
Contract clarity
Overtime rates, cancellation windows and substitution terms should be written down before you commit.