Do you want to check the operating status of trucking companies? You should try with an API and here we say how to get it.
First, we talk about the USDOT. It was established to ensure that all forms of transportation, including highways, railroads, and public transportation, are secure, up-to-date, and effective. Monitoring commercial vehicles on the road, as well as the businesses and independent contractors that own and manage them, is a crucial component of this position. Any business or person must first register for a USDOT number before using certain commercial vehicles to convey people or goods, including semi-trailers.
By federal law, any truck or vehicle used in interstate transportation or commerce must have a USDOT number to move hazardous goods, for example, either within the same state or over state lines.
Additionally, if the gross weight rating is 10,000 pounds or higher. Other situations where it is necessary include when the vehicle will carry 8 or more passengers who will be charged (this number includes the driver). Additionally, it’s necessary if the car is utilized for unpaid transportation of more than 15 people (including the driver).
Each of a company’s trucks, regardless of how many there are, will have the same USDOT number. This is so that the number can be tracked when it comes to USDOT compliance, inspections, audits, and accident investigations. With a USDOT number, a business or independent contractor can be quickly assessed, and compliance and operational data are made available to the general public.
For the carrier’s number to remain active, reports must be sent to the USDOT every 24 months. In addition to making whether the number is still valid, a truck accident lawyer will check USDOT records to see if any non-compliance concerns might have caused an accident involving a semi or another commercial vehicle.
The commercial vehicle must display the truck’s identification information for it to be used legally. Depending on the type of vehicle and how it is registered, three different forms of information may be displayed.
The company’s registered name with USDOT, or the legal name or distinctive trade name of the carrier operating the vehicle. The federal number assigned to interstate vehicles must be followed by the letters “USDOT.”
Otherwise, both of the commercial vehicle’s doors typically have these insignia. This information must be shown on both sides of the vehicle, per USDOT regulations. To make the information easy to read, it must be in bold colors that stand out from the paint of the car.
Use An API
If you want to check the operating status of a trucking company it is very necessary to check this data. This is because in addition to the possible background of the company, many do not keep this record and it is known that there are many of these companies that scam customers by not showing up directly or by hijacking cargo materials.
A company that needs to deal with vehicles should check all this to avoid surprises. Here is a Motor Carrier Search API to do this easily. With it, you will be able to check the data of the companies quickly to make sure that you are hiring reliable vehicles. This is an example of the API response:
{
"Code": 200,
"Description": "OK",
"MCC_INFO": {
"DOT_NUMBER": "1398624",
"LEGAL_NAME": "DMP TRUCKING INC",
"DBA_NAME": "",
"CARRIER_OPERATION": "Interstate",
"HM_FLAG": "No",
"PC_FLAG": "No",
"PHY_STREET": "1043 SCHULTZ RD",
"PHY_CITY": "EAST NORRITON",
"PHY_STATE": "PA",
"PHY_ZIP": "19403",
"PHY_COUNTRY": "US",
"MAILING_STREET": "PO BOX 121",
"MAILING_CITY": "EAGLESVILLE",
"MAILING_STATE": "PA",
"MAILING_ZIP": "19408",
"MAILING_COUNTRY": "US",
"TELEPHONE": "(610) 304-0341",
"FAX": "(610) 279-1252",
"EMAIL_ADDRESS": "[email protected]",
"MCS150_DATE": "30-APR-22",
"MCS150_MILEAGE": "90000",
"MCS150_MILEAGE_YEAR": "2021",
"ADD_DATE": "25-JUL-05",
"OIC_STATE": "PA",
"NBR_POWER_UNIT": "1",
"DRIVER_TOTAL": "1"
},
"SMS_AB_Pass_Property": {
"DOT_NUMBER": "1398624",
"INSP_TOTAL": "1",
"DRIVER_INSP_TOTAL": "1",
"DRIVER_OOS_INSP_TOTAL": "0",
"VEHICLE_INSP_TOTAL": "1",
"VEHICLE_OOS_INSP_TOTAL": "0",
"UNSAFE_DRIV_INSP_W_VIOL": "0",
"UNSAFE_DRIV_MEASURE": "0",
"UNSAFE_DRIV_AC": "N",
"HOS_DRIV_INSP_W_VIOL": "0",
"HOS_DRIV_MEASURE": "0",
"HOS_DRIV_AC": "N",
"DRIV_FIT_INSP_W_VIOL": "0",
"DRIV_FIT_MEASURE": "0",
"DRIV_FIT_AC": "N",
"CONTR_SUBST_INSP_W_VIOL": "0",
"CONTR_SUBST_MEASURE": "0",
"CONTR_SUBST_AC": "N",
"VEH_MAINT_INSP_W_VIOL": "1",
"VEH_MAINT_MEASURE": "1",
"VEH_MAINT_AC": "N"
}
About Motor Carrier Search API
Motor Carrier Search API is one of the most reliable for this type of check. You can check it with USDOT but also with other data such as license plate. This will help both for companies to show their transparency and for customers who want to hire these companies.