# FMCSA Compliance MCP > FMCSA Licensing & Insurance accesses real-time government data to audit motor carrier safety and authority status. Instantly verify if a trucking company's operating license, insurance records, or safety ratings are current using your AI client. ## Overview - **Category:** government-public-data - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** fmcsa, dot-number, trucking-compliance, carrier-safety, logistics ## Description Need to vet a new freight partner? This MCP connects your agent directly to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. It lets you run deep compliance checks on any motor carrier by pulling official government records—everything from their operating authority status to their most recent safety ratings. Instead of hopping between multiple government websites and copying data, you ask your AI client a question, and it executes a full background audit for you. This is critical because logistics rules change constantly. You can instantly check if a carrier has any active Out-of-Service orders or what types of cargo they are even authorized to haul. If you’re using Vinkius Marketplace, you know this MCP gives you the deep due diligence needed before you book a single load. It takes hours of manual compliance work and makes it a natural conversation with your agent. ## Tools ### get_carrier_authority Retrieves the current operating authority status for a given motor carrier. ### get_carrier_basics Gets key Carrier BASIC safety measures associated with a U.S. DOT number. ### get_carrier_by_docket Retrieves detailed carrier profiles using their specific Docket Number. ### get_carrier_by_dot Gets general details about a motor carrier based on their U.S. DOT number. ### get_carrier_cargo Identifies and lists the specific types of cargo a carrier is authorized to haul. ### get_carrier_dockets Pulls all associated docket numbers for a single motor carrier. ### get_carrier_oos Retrieves the most recent Out-of-Service (OOS) data to check compliance history. ### get_carrier_operation_class Determines and reports on a carrier's authorized operational classifications. ### search_carriers_by_name Searches for multiple carriers using their legal or DBA name, supporting pagination. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Search for carriers with the name 'Blue Sky Logistics'. ``` **Response:** ``` I found 3 carriers matching 'Blue Sky Logistics'. The primary one is based in Ohio with DOT number 2938475. Would you like to see its full safety profile? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get the safety BASIC measures and OOS data for DOT 1234567. ``` **Response:** ``` Retrieving safety data for DOT 1234567... The carrier has a 'Satisfactory' rating. Their Unsafe Driving BASIC is at 15% and they have 0 active Out-of-Service orders. ``` **Prompt:** ``` What types of cargo is carrier DOT 987654 authorized to carry? ``` **Response:** ``` Checking cargo authorization for DOT 987654... This carrier is authorized for General Freight, Household Goods, and Refrigerated Food. ``` ## Capabilities ### Search for carriers Find specific motor carriers using their legal name or their U.S. DOT number. ### Check operating status Determine if a carrier has valid authority and what types of operations they are allowed to perform. ### Review safety metrics Retrieve specific Carrier BASIC (Safety) measures and any active Out-of-Service orders for risk assessment. ### Verify cargo types Confirm precisely what kind of freight a carrier is legally allowed to transport, like refrigerated food or household goods. ## Use Cases ### Vetting a new partner for refrigerated goods A broker needs to know if a potential carrier can handle temperature-sensitive loads. They ask the agent, 'Check DOT 987654's capabilities.' The agent runs `get_carrier_by_dot`, confirms general status, and then runs `get_carrier_cargo` to confirm authorization for refrigerated food. ### Checking a problematic carrier A compliance officer is concerned about a partner's recent safety history. They ask the agent to 'pull all OOS data.' The system executes `get_carrier_oos`, immediately showing any active violations and providing risk mitigation data. ### Confirming legal operating scope A logistics manager is dealing with a cross-state shipment. They ask the agent to check the carrier's authority using `get_carrier_authority` and also run `get_carrier_operation_class` to ensure it covers all necessary jurisdictions. ### Finding an unknown carrier A user only knows the company's doing name. They use `search_carriers_by_name` to find a list of matching businesses and then select one to run a full profile audit using its DOT number. ## Benefits - Stop guessing if a partner is safe. By calling `get_carrier_basics` or `get_carrier_oos`, you get hard data on an active compliance record, not just a website summary. - Speed up vetting by combining searches. You can search carriers using `search_carriers_by_name` and then drill down into specific details like cargo types using `get_carrier_cargo`—all in one chat session. - Know the scope of work upfront. Use `get_carrier_operation_class` to ensure a carrier is set up for the exact kind of haul you need, avoiding costly operational mismatches. - Get full legal history. Instead of just checking the basic DOT number, use `get_carrier_dockets` and `get_carrier_by_docket` to pull all associated regulatory records in one go. - Cut out risk with authority checks. Before booking a load, run `get_carrier_authority` to confirm their operating status is active and valid. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you get reliable, official government audit results without leaving your chat window or running complex scripts. 1. Subscribe to this MCP and enter your official FMCSA Web Key. 2. Connect the credential to your AI client (Claude, Cursor, etc.). 3. Ask your agent a compliance question, like 'Check the safety status for DOT 1234567', and receive verified data immediately. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I use the get_carrier_authority tool?** You provide the carrier's identifying number (DOT or Docket). The MCP checks their current operating status against FMCSA records to confirm if they are legally authorized to operate right now. **Can I check a carrier’s safety history with get_carrier_oos?** Yes. This tool retrieves Out-of-Service (OOS) data, letting you know immediately if the carrier has any active compliance flags or violations on record. **What is the difference between search_carriers_by_name and get_carrier_by_dot?** Search by name finds multiple carriers matching a general legal or DBA name. Use `get_carrier_by_dot` when you already have the specific U.S. DOT number for one carrier. **Do I need to know the docket number to use get_carrier_dockets?** No, but it helps. If you start with a DOT or name search, you can then ask your agent to run `get_carrier_dockets` to pull all associated dockets for that carrier. **After using search_carriers_by_name, how do I confirm a carrier's authorized cargo types?** You must pass the identified U.S. DOT number to the get_carrier_cargo tool. This ensures you pull the correct operational authorization for that specific entity, keeping your data tied accurately to the primary identifier. **What exact metrics does the get_carrier_basics tool return?** It provides quantitative Carrier Basic Safety Measures required for compliance tracking. This includes key performance indicators like Unsafe Driving and Speeding, giving you a detailed view of safety history beyond just Out-of-Service records. **If I run get_carrier_by_dot with an inactive or incorrect number, what should I expect?** The tool returns a specific error code indicating the DOT number is not found in the active registry. You'll need to double-check your source data or try using search_carriers_by_name first. **How do I verify both the operating authority status and operation classification?** Run get_carrier_authority to confirm legal standing, then use get_carrier_operation_class. This sequence confirms that the carrier not only holds valid documentation but also operates within its designated functional category. **How can I check if a carrier is currently authorized to transport goods?** You can use the `get_carrier_authority` tool with the carrier's DOT number. This will return the official operating authority status directly from FMCSA records. **Can I find a carrier's DOT number if I only have their business name?** Yes, use the `search_carriers_by_name` tool. Provide the Legal or DBA name, and the agent will return a list of matching carriers along with their U.S. DOT numbers. **Does this tool show safety ratings and inspection violations?** Yes. The `get_carrier_basics` tool retrieves safety performance data (BASIC measures), and `get_carrier_oos` provides data on Out-of-Service orders.