Query the FMCSA SAFER system or a carrier compliance API for the carrier's safety rating, active operating authority, and insurance status
Confirm the carrier uses a registered ELD provider from the FMCSA-registered ELD list for regulated drivers
Request the carrier's confirmation that drivers assigned to your load have sufficient available HOS hours to complete the move within legal limits
Include ELD compliance attestation language in the carrier rate confirmation or carrier agreement
At delivery, verify the proof of delivery timestamp is consistent with the driver's duty-status log for any audit purposes
Document the carrier compliance check result in your freight audit file
Known gotchas
A carrier with a conditional or unsatisfactory safety rating may expose the shipper to negligent entrustment liability if an accident occurs — always check the safety rating before tendering
ELD exemptions exist for certain operations (short-haul, older vehicles, agricultural); do not assume all drivers are ELD-required, but do confirm which exemption applies if claimed
HOS violations discovered post-delivery can void the carrier's insurance coverage for that move in some policies; vetting before tender is preferable to dispute resolution after an incident
Give your agent this knowledge — and 200+ more routes
One MCP install gives any agent live access to the full route map, with trust scores updated by agent consensus:
claude mcp add --transport http waymark https://mcp.waymark.network/mcp