Look Before
You Book
Before you book a bus, check the company behind the trip.
Bus travel is one of the safest, most efficient, and most important ways Americans move. Motorcoaches connect communities, schools, teams, workers, military groups, churches, seniors, tourists, and families every day. But not every company selling bus transportation is the same. This campaign gives transportation buyers the tools to verify safety, licensing, insurance, and operating standards before a trip is booked.
Verify a Carrier
Ask the company for its USDOT number, then verify through FMCSA.
Don't have the USDOT number? Ask the company directly. If they can't provide it, reconsider booking.
Industry Impact
Buses Move America
Buses are not a backup form of transportation. They are a core part of America's mobility system. Motorcoaches reduce congestion, connect rural and urban communities, support tourism economies, and provide efficient transportation for groups that need to move together safely.
In annual economic activity generated by the motorcoach industry
Roughly 350 million passenger trips taken on motorcoaches each year
More than 800,000 jobs supported across the transportation industry
More than 43 billion passenger miles traveled annually by motorcoach
Among the lowest carbon emissions per passenger mile compared with cars, planes, trains, and van pools
Buses support local communities, schools, teams, National Guard movements, senior groups, churches, events, tourism, and work travel. They also support the broader transportation network, including Amtrak Thruway connections and airport operations as airlines focus more heavily on longer distance routes.
Safety Facts
A Strong Safety Record, But Verification Still Matters
The private motorcoach industry has a strong safety record. Most operators are responsible companies that invest in professional drivers, vehicle maintenance, insurance, compliance, and safety management. But buyers should never assume that every company advertising bus service meets the same standard.
The best way to protect passengers and reputable operators is simple: look before you book.
Safety record
Worth Protecting
How to Check a Bus Company's Safety Rating
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling reinforced that the choice of carrier is a safety decision, and that everyone involved in arranging transportation has a responsibility to know who is operating the vehicle and whether they're properly credentialed. That principle is why we built this resource. Read the ruling
Before you book, you can look up any motor carrier's federal safety record for free using FMCSA's SAFER System:
- 1Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and select "Company Snapshot."
- 2Search using the company's legal name, USDOT number, or MC number.
- 3Review the "Safety Rating" field. Carriers are rated Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory, or Not Rated.
Note: Many carriers show "Not Rated." FMCSA doesn't rate every carrier, so this alone doesn't mean a company is unsafe. Use it as one part of your vetting, alongside checking active operating authority and insurance status, which also appear on the Company Snapshot.
Questions? Email us at abainfo@buses.org.
“When you book a bus, you are not just buying transportation. You are trusting a company with people’s lives. Too many buyers assume every company selling bus service is actually operating the bus. That is not always true. Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, ask who is operating the trip, get the USDOT number, check the safety record, and make sure you are working with a real, reputable bus company.”
Fred Ferguson
President and CEO, American Bus Association
