How to File a Complaint Against a Trucking Company

If you've witnessed unsafe driving by a commercial truck, been involved in an accident with a trucking company, or have concerns about a carrier's safety practices, you can file a complaint directly with the FMCSA. Here's how.

When to File a Complaint

The FMCSA accepts safety complaints about commercial motor carriers for a range of issues:

• Unsafe driving — Speeding, aggressive driving, lane violations, distracted driving
• Hours-of-service violations — Drivers operating beyond legal hours, coerced driving
• Vehicle condition — Visibly unsafe trucks (bald tires, broken lights, leaking fluids, unsecured cargo)
• Coercion — Carriers forcing drivers to operate in violation of safety regulations
• Household goods issues — Moving companies holding belongings hostage, charging excessive fees
• Unlicensed operation — Carriers operating without proper USDOT registration or authority

Step 1: Gather Information

Before filing, collect as much of the following as you can:

• USDOT number — Displayed on the side of every commercial vehicle (required by federal law). This is the most important identifier.
• Company name — The carrier name displayed on the truck
• Vehicle description — Truck type, color, license plate number and state
• Date, time, and location — When and where the incident occurred
• Description of the incident — What happened, in as much detail as possible
• Photos or video — If available and safe to capture

Don't worry if you don't have all of these. A USDOT number or company name alone is enough to file a complaint.

Step 2: File the Complaint Online

The FMCSA accepts complaints through their National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB):

1. Visit nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov
2. Select the type of complaint (safety, household goods, or coercion)
3. Enter the carrier's USDOT number or company name
4. Describe the incident with as much detail as possible
5. Provide your contact information (optional for safety complaints, required for household goods)
6. Submit the complaint

Step 3: What Happens After You File

After submission, the FMCSA processes complaints in several ways:

• Data aggregation: Your complaint joins the carrier's overall safety data profile. Multiple complaints about the same carrier increase the likelihood of enforcement action.
• Investigation trigger: Serious or repeated complaints can trigger a compliance investigation (on-site review of the carrier's operations).
• Intervention: The FMCSA may issue warning letters, conduct focused inspections, or downgrade the carrier's safety rating.
• Household goods resolution: For moving company complaints, the FMCSA may mediate disputes or refer to law enforcement.

The FMCSA does not handle individual accident claims or compensation — for that, you would need to pursue legal action separately.

Alternative: File by Phone

You can also file complaints by calling the FMCSA's hotline:

• Safety complaints: 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238)
• Household goods complaints: 1-888-368-7238 (same number, different menu option)

Phone complaints follow the same process as online submissions. Have the carrier's USDOT number or name ready when you call.

Filing a Complaint vs. Filing a Lawsuit

Filing an FMCSA complaint and pursuing legal action are two separate processes:

You can (and often should) do both. The FMCSA complaint creates a regulatory record, while legal action addresses your personal damages.

Related Reading

• What to Do After a Trucking Accident — Step-by-step guide from the scene to the investigation
• How to Check a Trucking Company's Safety Record — Look up the carrier before or after filing
• What Does Out-of-Service Mean? — Understanding the violations you may observe
• The Most Dangerous Trucking Companies in America — Carriers with the worst safety records