DBA Merlock Trucking
Absecon, NJ
DOT 3986121MC 13687631 trucks1 drivers
Green: NO RED FLAGS IN FMCSA RECORDS
Active authority and insurance on file. Still confirm every load by calling the phone number on file.
Authority
Active Authority
Legally allowed to pick up and haul interstate freight.
MC active for 3 years, 11 months (since December 2, 2022)
Insurance
Active Liability Insurance ($750,000 Covered)
Pays for damage or injuries if this truck causes a crash. It's on file with FMCSA.
Paperwork (MCS-150)
Paperwork Status: Up to Date
Last filed December 31, 2025. Next update due by January 2028.
Safety Rating
Not Checked
Not in this record. Run a live check for FMCSA's current rating.
| Coverage | On record with FMCSA |
|---|---|
| Liability (BIPD) required | $5,000,000 |
| Liability (BIPD) on file | $750,000 |
| Cargo insurance | Not on file |
FMCSA insurance file as of May 14, 2026.
Insurer names and policy numbers appear here once our nightly copy has them. Run the live check for the current FMCSA filing.
From FMCSA's authority history (its current Motus system, plus the older L&I history it froze on May 14, 2026). "First granted" is the earliest grant on record; "on record since" is the earliest action FMCSA has when the grant itself is older than its electronic records. "Active since" is the latest grant or reinstatement, so a lapse that FMCSA reinstated restarts the clock.
From FMCSA's Safety Measurement System files, October 2024 to October 2026. Crash counts include crashes the carrier didn't cause. Out-of-service rates use only inspections that checked the driver or the vehicle.
Every roadside inspection in FMCSA's file for USDOT #3986121: when, where, and which vehicles (type, make, VIN) the inspector recorded.
THC compares FMCSA's files every night and keeps what changed. Tracked since October 30, 2026, last compared November 15, 2026.
Noticed by THC November 11, 2026 (changed after our November 10, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1494012 → MC 1368763
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC November 10, 2026 (changed after our November 9, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1368763 → MC 1494012
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC November 7, 2026 (changed after our November 6, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1494012 → MC 1368763
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC November 6, 2026 (changed after our November 5, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1368763 → MC 1494012
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC November 2, 2026 (changed after our November 1, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1494012 → MC 1368763
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC November 1, 2026 (changed after our October 31, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1368763 → MC 1494012
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Noticed by THC October 31, 2026 (changed after our October 30, 2026 copy)
MC number changed
MC 1494012 → MC 1368763
Why it may matter: The MC (docket) number is what brokers and shippers use to check operating authority.
What it doesn't show: Having an MC number does not mean its authority is active.
Next step: Check the authority status for the new MC number.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov).
Dates are when THC noticed the change in FMCSA's files, not when it happened, unless FMCSA's file gives the date. FMCSA's files can lag behind FMCSA's own systems. Check this record on FMCSA SAFER · Daily FMCSA change reports
Yes. USDOT 3986121 (Nextstep Trucking LLC) is active, with active for-hire carrier operating authority under MC 1368763 (FMCSA authority file, May 14, 2026).
FMCSA's authority history shows Nextstep Trucking LLC's common carrier authority was first granted on December 2, 2022 and is active.
Our daily record doesn't include Nextstep Trucking LLC's safety rating. Run a free live check to see FMCSA's current rating. Most carriers are "Not Rated", which is normal: it means FMCSA has never done a full audit.
In FMCSA's safety data for October 2024 to October 2026, Nextstep Trucking LLC had 6 roadside inspections. 33.3% of driver inspections (all carriers: 6.1%) and 66.7% of vehicle inspections (all carriers: 22.6%) ended out of service. It had no reportable crashes.
Yes, it looks up to date. FMCSA's records show it was last filed December 31, 2025. The next update is due by January 31, 2028.
Yes. FMCSA's records show liability (BIPD) insurance on file for Nextstep Trucking LLC ($750,000 on file). Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you before the load.
From public FMCSA records (the Company Census File, FMCSA's daily authority and insurance file and its monthly Safety Measurement System inspection and crash files). Trucking Help Center is not FMCSA and is not affiliated with this company. Records can change daily: run a live check, and confirm every load by calling the phone number on file. Is this your company and something looks wrong? Update your MCS-150 with FMCSA; our copy refreshes nightly.
Green: NO RED FLAGS IN FMCSA RECORDS
Active authority and insurance on file. Still confirm every load by calling the phone number on file.
Authority
Active Authority
Legally allowed to pick up and haul interstate freight.
MC active for 3 years, 11 months (since December 2, 2022)
Insurance
Active Liability Insurance ($750,000 Covered)
Pays for damage or injuries if this truck causes a crash. It's on file with FMCSA.
Paperwork (MCS-150)
Paperwork Status: Up to Date
Last filed December 31, 2025. Next update due by January 2028.
Safety Rating
Not Checked
Not in this record. Run a live check for FMCSA's current rating.
