Skip to main content
USDOTwatch

Estes Express Lines

Active

DBA: Estes

Authorized for Hire

Estes Express Lines, doing business as Estes, is a registered motor carrier with the FMCSA under USDOT number 121018 and MC number 97275. The company operates from Richmond, VA, and maintains an active operating status, and has 9,805 power units and 8,821 drivers on record.

Is this carrier bookable?

Bookable

Nothing here stands out as an immediate reason not to use this carrier.

Six things go into this read of Estes Express Lines's record: operating authority, out-of-service status, insurance filings, safety rating, BASIC percentile scores, and MCS-150 freshness. Every one of them comes straight from the public FMCSA record. None of them tell you how the carrier handles damage claims or hits delivery windows, so always pull a fresh insurance certificate from the carrier and confirm rates and contact details on a current rate confirmation before you tender.

Passed checks

  • Authority

    This USDOT record is marked active.

  • Out-of-service

    No out-of-service order is shown on this record.

  • Safety rating

    Safety rating is Satisfactory.

  • Insurance

    Insurance status is present: ON FILE (BIPD).

  • BASIC scores

    Measured BASIC categories are below the intervention threshold.

  • MCS-150

    MCS-150 looks current (Jul 29, 2025).

Identity

Who Estes Express Lines is on FMCSA's record: legal contact information, the kind of operation they're registered to run, and what they self-report carrying. This is the baseline you cross-reference every other section against.

Address
3901 W Broad St , Richmond , VA 23230
Phone
(804) 353-1900
Email
Entity type
Authorized for Hire

Licensed to transport goods or passengers for compensation.

Operation type
Interstate

Authorized to operate across state lines.

Operating status
Active
Insurance on file
ON FILE (BIPD)

BIPD means bodily injury and property damage liability.

MCS-150 filing date
Jul 29, 2025

Biennial update form required by FMCSA.

Cargo types

General Freight Metal/Sheets/Coils Building Materials Machinery/Large Objects Liquids/Gases Intermodal Containers Grain/Feed/Hay Chemicals Beverages Paper Products Farm Supplies

Authority

Whether Estes Express Lines can legally move freight today, and the full FMCSA history of how their operating authority has changed over time. Brokers checking a new carrier should always start here.

Operating status

Active

Out-of-service status

No active OOS order

Authority history

Every operating-authority action FMCSA has recorded against Estes Express Lines, sourced from the AuthHist public dataset. This covers original applications, dismissals, grants, suspensions, and reinstatements across every authority type the carrier has held or attempted to hold. A clean history typically shows one or two grant rows and nothing else. Multiple dismissals or revocations are worth a closer look before booking.

AuthorityActionServedDispositionDecided
MC097275INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION2016-04-25DISCONTINUED REVOCATION2016-04-28
MC097275INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION2016-03-28DISCONTINUED REVOCATION2016-04-07
MC097275INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION2009-12-14DISCONTINUED REVOCATION2010-01-05
MC097275INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION2006-09-21DISCONTINUED REVOCATION2006-10-05
MC097275INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION2003-04-30DISCONTINUED REVOCATION2003-05-16
MC097275GRANTED2002-03-01
MC097275GRANTED2001-05-30
MC097275(55)INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION1992-06-08DISCONTINUED REVOCATION1992-07-08
MC097275(54)INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION1992-06-08DISCONTINUED REVOCATION1992-07-08
MC097275(53)GRANTED1989-03-28
MC097275(52)GRANTED1986-04-03
MC097275(51)GRANTED1986-01-09
MC097275(50)GRANTED1985-06-17
MC097275(49)GRANTED1984-11-08
MC097275(48)GRANTED1984-08-08
MC097275(47)GRANTED1983-02-07
MC097275(46)GRANTED1981-12-24
MC097275(43)GRANTED1981-08-07
MC097275(35)GRANTED1981-07-31
MC097275(42)GRANTED1981-05-26
MC097275(44)GRANTED1981-03-20
MC097275(45)GRANTED1981-03-20
MC097275(41)GRANTED1980-11-26
MC097275(36)GRANTED1980-11-26
MC097275(39)GRANTED1980-11-21
MC097275(40)GRANTED1980-11-21
MC097275(33)GRANTED1980-09-22
MC097275(28)GRANTED1978-05-17
MC097275(32)GRANTED
MC097275(30)GRANTED

Safety

Everything FMCSA has on Estes Express Lines's safety record: the formal safety rating, behavior-analysis BASIC scores, full inspection and crash totals, and operational metrics like drivers per power unit and annual miles per power unit. Numbers below the national average sit in the green; numbers well above are worth a closer look.

FMCSA Safety Rating

Satisfactory

Rated Jan 29, 2001

A Satisfactory rating is the highest rating issued by FMCSA following a compliance review. It means the carrier has demonstrated adequate safety management controls to meet the safety fitness standard. Approximately 1-2% of all registered carriers hold a formal safety rating.

View official FMCSA record →

Inspections

All time

4,651

Total

496

OOS

34

Driver OOS

462

Vehicle OOS

Total OOS Rate 10.7%
0% National avg: ~21% 100%
Driver inspections 34 OOS of 4,622 (0.7%)

National average driver OOS rate is ~5.5%. This carrier is below the national average.

Vehicle inspections 462 OOS of 2,775 (16.6%)

Vehicle OOS rates cover brakes, tires, lighting, and other equipment defects.

4,651 inspections have been recorded for this carrier. The out-of-service rate is 10.7%, below the national average of ~21%.

Crash history

All time

6,330

Total

231

Fatal

3,405

Injuries

5,913

Tow-away

6,330 crashes reported. Review fatal and injury counts carefully alongside fleet size before engaging this carrier. That translates to approximately 645.6 crashes per 1,000 power units.

BASIC safety scores

FMCSA grades every carrier across seven safety categories called BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories). Each score is a percentile from 0 to 100, calculated from the carrier's roadside inspections, crash reports, and investigation results over a rolling 24-month window. Higher scores mean more recorded violations relative to similar carriers. Scores at or above 75 can flag a carrier for FMCSA intervention and are worth a closer look before tendering. Scores below 65 sit within normal range.

Driver behavior

0.6

Unsafe Driving

0.1

HOS Compliance

0.1

Driver Fitness

0.0

Controlled Substances

Vehicle and outcomes

2.8

Vehicle Maintenance

0.0

Hazmat Compliance

0.0

Crash Indicator

This carrier's BASIC scores are all below the intervention threshold. No categories require immediate attention.

Unsafe Driving

Measures violations related to speeding, reckless driving, and improper lane changes.

HOS Compliance

Tracks hours-of-service violations, including driving beyond legal limits and falsifying logs.

Driver Fitness

Reflects issues with driver qualifications, licenses, and medical certifications.

Controlled Substances

Captures drug and alcohol violations, including impaired or refused tests.

Vehicle Maintenance

Reflects brakes, tires, lighting, and other equipment-related inspection findings.

Fleet profile

Large (1,000–9,999 units)

Raw fleet counts only tell you so much about a carrier. A 100-truck fleet with 300 drivers is almost certainly running team or multi-shift over-the-road operations. A 100-truck fleet with 90 drivers is more likely owner-operators, regional, or local work. The ratios below are calculated from FMCSA fleet, mileage, and inspection data and show you how Estes Express Lines actually runs day to day. That helps you judge whether their capacity, utilization, and safety performance match the kind of load you're looking to tender.

Drivers per Power Unit

0.90

Lower than one driver per truck suggests owner-operators or part-time drivers.

Miles per Power Unit

63,310 mi

Moderate utilization typical of regional or LTL operations (2024 data).

Inspections per Power Unit

0.5

Lower inspection activity, sometimes seen with local or low-mileage operations.

Crashes per 1,000 Units

645.6

Significantly above industry average (3.2 per 1,000 units).

Insurance

What FMCSA's Licensing & Insurance system has on file for Estes Express Lines right now, and the full filing history including cancelled policies. A current ON FILE status is the baseline; the history below is where you spot recent cancellations, instability, or coverage gaps that the live status field can't show on its own.

Current insurance status

ON FILE (BIPD)

BIPD means bodily injury and property damage liability.

Insurance history

Every insurance filing FMCSA has on record for Estes Express Lines, up to the 25 most recent including cancelled policies. Each row shows the form type, the insurance company, when the policy went into effect, and when (or if) it was cancelled. Common things brokers look for: a recent cancellation with no replacement on file (the carrier may not have valid coverage right now), repeated short-lived policies with different insurers (instability), and the actual coverage amount versus the freight value.

Form / Type Insurer Effective Cancelled Coverage
Form 82 FIDELITY & DEPOSIT CO. OF MARYLAND 2023-05-01 2025-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 82 UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO. 2022-05-01 2023-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 82 UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO. 2021-05-01 2022-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 82 UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO. 2020-05-01 2021-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2019-05-01 2020-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2019-05-01 2019-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2019-05-01 2019-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2018-05-01 2019-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2018-05-01 2018-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2017-05-01 2017-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2017-05-01 2017-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2017-05-01 2018-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2016-05-01 2017-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2016-04-23 2016-05-06

TERM/CANCL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2015-05-01 2015-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2015-05-01 2015-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2015-05-01 2016-04-23

CANCEL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2014-05-01 2015-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2013-05-01 2014-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2012-05-01 2013-05-29

TERM/CANCL

$5,000
Form 91X NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA 2011-05-01 2012-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 34 TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA 2010-05-01 2018-12-20

CANCEL

$5,000
Form 34 FEDERAL INSURANCE CO. 2010-01-10 2010-05-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 84 FIDELITY & DEPOSIT CO. OF MARYLAND 2003-04-04 2013-10-01

TERM/REPL

$5,000
Form 91 ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY 2002-05-01 2006-10-15

TERM/CANCL

$5,000

Connections

Other USDOT records and external filings that link to Estes Express Lines. Connected carriers share contact information; process agents show every state where the carrier has filed an agent for service of legal process. Both are useful for tracing related operations and verifying the carrier's stated geographic footprint.

Connected carriers

Other FMCSA-registered carriers whose contact information matches this one. We match on normalized phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses across every active and inactive USDOT record. Sharing contact details is common between affiliated companies, recently rebranded operations, fleet acquisitions, and shared dispatch offices, so a match alone is not a problem. Brokers typically review the matched carriers alongside the one they are about to book to confirm the relationship is what they expect.

  • Estes Truckload Management LLC

    DBA Estes Brokerage

    USDOT 2239979 · MC 614468 · Authorized for Hire

    Active
    Address
    3901 BROAD STREET, Richmond, VA, 23221
    Phone
    (804) 353-1900
    Safety rating
    Unrated
    Insurance
    BROKER BOND ON FILE
    Fleet
    0 power units · 0 drivers
    Inspections / OOS
    0 insp · 0 OOS
    Crashes
    0 total
    Shared phone
  • G I Trucking Company

    DBA Estes West

    USDOT 20293 · MC 99685 · Authorized for Hire

    Active
    Address
    14727 ALONDRA BLVD, La Mirada, CA, 90638-5617
    Phone
    (714) 523-1122
    Safety rating
    SATISFACTORY
    Insurance
    ON FILE (BIPD + CARGO)
    Fleet
    2304 power units · 1915 drivers
    Inspections / OOS
    1,467 insp · 185 OOS
    Crashes
    788 total · 37 fatal
    Shared email
  • Universal Logistics of Virginia LLC

    DBA Estes Dedicated

    USDOT 3330935 · MC 1061460 · Authorized for Hire

    Active
    Address
    1501 N HAMILTON ST, Richmond, VA, 23230
    Phone
    (804) 353-1900
    Safety rating
    Unrated
    Insurance
    ON FILE (BIPD)
    Fleet
    522 power units · 483 drivers
    Inspections / OOS
    575 insp · 216 OOS
    Crashes
    117 total · 2 fatal
    Shared phone

Process agents (BOC-3)

Every state where Estes Express Lines has filed a designated agent to receive legal process on its behalf. FMCSA requires a complete BOC-3 filing covering all 50 states (plus DC) before granting interstate operating authority. A carrier listed for fewer than 51 jurisdictions either operates intrastate only, has not yet completed its BOC-3 filing, or has had a state agent terminate without replacement.

1 state on file:

DE

Recent activity

Field-level changes detected in Estes Express Lines's FMCSA record over the last 90 days. Each row shows what changed and when, so you can spot authority lapses, insurance shifts, or safety updates that may have happened since you last booked them.

DateFieldPreviousNew
Jun 4, 2026Total Crashes63296330
Jun 4, 2026Injury Crashes34043405
Jun 4, 2026Towaway Crashes59125913
Jun 1, 2026Total Crashes63266329
Jun 1, 2026Injury Crashes34013404
Jun 1, 2026Towaway Crashes59095912
May 29, 2026Total Crashes63236326
May 29, 2026Injury Crashes33993401
May 29, 2026Towaway Crashes59065909
May 28, 2026Total Crashes63206323

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions brokers and shippers ask about Estes Express Lines and how to interpret the FMCSA data shown on this page.

What is the USDOT number for Estes Express Lines?

Estes Express Lines is assigned USDOT number 121018 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This number uniquely identifies the carrier in federal safety records and is used to track inspections, crashes, compliance reviews, and operating authority over time.

What is the MC number for Estes Express Lines?

Estes Express Lines's MC number is 97275. The MC (Motor Carrier) number is the operating authority number issued by FMCSA, separate from the USDOT number. It authorizes the carrier to transport regulated commodities for hire in interstate commerce.

Is Estes Express Lines authorized to operate?

Estes Express Lines's current operating status is ACTIVE. They hold a SATISFACTORY safety rating from FMCSA. Always verify operating authority and request a current insurance certificate before tendering loads.

How many inspections has Estes Express Lines had?

Estes Express Lines has 4,651 recorded roadside inspections in FMCSA's database, with 496 resulting in an out-of-service order, for an overall OOS rate of 10.7%. Inspection counts cover a rolling 24-month window.

What is a normal OOS rate?

The national average vehicle out-of-service rate is approximately 21%. The driver OOS average is closer to 5.5%. Rates well above these benchmarks may indicate recurring compliance issues. Lower rates suggest stronger maintenance and driver-qualification programs.

How many crashes has Estes Express Lines been involved in?

FMCSA records 6,330 reported crashes for Estes Express Lines over a rolling 24-month window, including 231 fatal, 3,405 injury, and 5,913 tow-away crashes. Crash counts include both preventable and non-preventable events. Always evaluate raw counts against fleet size and miles driven.

How large is Estes Express Lines's fleet?

Estes Express Lines operates 9,805 power units (trucks and tractors) and reports 8,821 drivers on their FMCSA MCS-150 form. Fleet figures are self-reported and updated biennially, so the live operational fleet may differ slightly.

Where is Estes Express Lines located?

Estes Express Lines is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia at 3901 W Broad St. They operate in interstate commerce across state lines.

What does a satisfactory safety rating mean?

A Satisfactory rating is the highest rating issued by FMCSA following a compliance review. It means Estes Express Lines demonstrated adequate safety management controls during the review. Only about 1-2% of all registered carriers hold a formal safety rating, since FMCSA only rates carriers that go through a compliance review.

How often is FMCSA data updated?

FMCSA refreshes carrier census data daily. Inspection and crash records are typically published within 30 days of the underlying event. Safety ratings and BASIC scores update on FMCSA's monthly cycle. The "last checked" timestamp at the bottom of this page shows when the most recent FMCSA poll happened.

Should I monitor Estes Express Lines for changes?

If you tender loads to Estes Express Lines regularly, monitoring is worth considering. Operating authority can lapse, insurance can drop, and safety ratings can change between bookings. Email alerts surface those changes the moment FMCSA publishes them, so you find out before your next load instead of after a problem on the road.

Where does this data come from?

All data on this page is sourced from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) via the DOT Open Data Portal. It includes the Company Census File, roadside inspection records, crash reports, and SMS/BASIC safety scores. Data is self-reported by carriers and updated regularly by FMCSA. For the authoritative single-source-of-truth record, cross-reference with FMCSA SAFER.

About this data

This profile is compiled from publicly available FMCSA data including the Company Census File, inspection and crash reports, SMS/BASIC safety scores, the Licensing & Insurance system, and the AuthHist, Revocation, OUT OF SERVICE ORDERS, InsHist, and BOC3 datasets on the DOT public data portal. Data is self-reported by carriers and updated daily by FMCSA. Inspection and crash data covers a rolling 24-month window. BASIC scores are recalculated monthly. For authoritative records, verify with FMCSA SAFER.

This record was last checked on Jun 4, 2026 and the most recent change was on Jun 4, 2026.