SMB Auto Transport is here to help you transport your car from Point A to Point B. We provide you with a FREE “No Contact Information Required” estimate, up to ten brokers with quotes for you to choose from.
A person or company that specializes in the shipping and transportation of vehicles is called an auto transport broker. Vehicles to be transported may include cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and boats. The broker may or may not be the carrier in charge of the actual transport. If not, a broker will locate a carrier for you. The advantages are that a broker can provide you with lower shipping prices by getting competing bids from different carriers.
In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the government entity that requires brokers to have the proper authority and licensing. They require the broker to obtain an Operation Authority number, a bond is also required. Under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), code 484230 for auto transporting is classified as “specialized freight trucking”.
Year 2012 saw a major change in the Auto Transport industry. The brokers’ minimum bond was $10,000 before 2012. However, President Obama signed the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act”, which introduced new regulations. The new minimum bond was changed to $75,000. If the broker performs unethical practices, he may have his license revoked by the FMCSA. A license status review is completed every five years. To bring the broker qualification requirements in line with the ocean shipping industry, the license now requires certification training and three years of relevant experience. The Act also tightened the regulation of “interlining”. Interlining is referred to as the process of freight carries hiring different carriers to provide a service. A separate broker authority is now needed from the FMCSA to perform interlining. The broker is now also required to notify the shipper of the role it plays.
Statistics are kept by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). USDOT shows that in 2007, $651 billion of motorized cargo was moved by auto transport carriers.
Once you have decided to ship your car, you may still have questions regarding how to ship your car. You may need to know how much it costs to ship a carcosts to ship a car. You may want to know what an auto transport broker does and is responsible for. Check out our "Articles" section right here on our website. We have articles documenting answers to all of your questions.
SMB Auto Transport is here to help. By completing our FREE “No Contact Information Required” estimate. Then, if you’re ready to ship your car, please complete the remaining three fields of contact information so we can provide you with up to ten quotes for you to choose from. We strive to make it simple for you! We will surpass your expectation regarding what to expect from a car shipping company! We won’t be satisfied until you are. Let us earn your business!