What Are COMCHEKs?

Last updated Dec, 29 2025

COMCHEKS are extremely popular in how auto transport brokers pay carriers in the auto transport industry. However, most of the general public may not be aware of what COMCHEKs actually are or the benefits that they can offer. The following guide will provide a nice overview:

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How Do They Work?

A COMCHEK is a type of payment used by auto transport brokers (or any freight broker) to pay carriers. They can be considered similar to standard checks, yet with some significant differences. In addition to paying contract carriers, COMCHEKs can be used to:

Purchase fuel
Pay key vendors
Provide advances
Act as emergency payments

The company that provides COMCHEKs is COMDATA. They provide COMCHEKs as an Express Code for a set amount. They are usually between 14 and 18 numbers and can be redeemed by those who receive them in the following ways:

Cashed at truck stops
Deposited into a bank

To redeem a COMCHEK, the person must have a physical COMCHEK blank, which looks just like a regular check, that he or she has to fill out. The location has to accept COMCHEKs at a truck stop and may charge a processing fee.

At a bank, the person who wants to cash the COMCHEK has to call a number provided by COMDATA to get a unique authorization number. Otherwise, the check will bounce, meaning you must pay fees.

You can visit //www.gocomchek.com/gocomchek/assets/app/index.html for information about locations that accept it, and call: (800) 266-3282 to obtain an authorization number.

COMDATA Cards

Besides using COMCHEKs, a trucking company would be able to open an account with COMDATA so that they can issue their own personalized COMCHEKs directly to their employees. These can be in the form of actual physical cards that would be just like a debit or ATM card.

Positives and Negatives of COMCHEKs

As with anything, there are both positives and negatives, and COMCHEKs are no different. Some of the positives to using COMCHEKs are:

Truck operators do not have to carry large amounts of cash or credit cards on them, which can improve their own safety and prevent any loss of money from occurring;
Allows truck operators to receive their payment at a much faster rate, as well as helps their cash flow while on their route;
Allows truck operators to have their own COMDATA accounts to deposit their COMCHEKs directly into.

There are three main negatives to COMCHEKs, though, which are:

Not at all places currently accept them;
They do have processing fees that increase the higher the payment amounts are;
Calling and receiving the unique authorization number to deposit them into a bank can be cumbersome.

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There's a reason why COMCHEKs are extremely popular. Remember to visit:

http://www.comdata.com to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Comcheck in trucking used for?

In trucking, a Comcheck is used to pay owner-operators and company drivers for freight delivery, fuel purchases, lumper fees, or roadside costs. Brokers, carriers, or dispatchers issue the Comcheck to keep shipments moving without delays tied to invoicing or net payment terms, which supports time-sensitive vehicle transport operations such as car transportation services.

What are Comcheks?

Comcheks are secure payment instruments commonly used in the trucking industry to pay drivers quickly for loads, fuel advances, or accessorial expenses. Issued through the Comdata network, they function like authorized checks that require real-time verification before cashing. Each Comchek includes a unique approval code, which helps reduce fraud and confirms funds are available before payment is released.

How do you cash a Comcheck?

You can cash a Comcheck at approved truck stops, banks, or check-cashing locations that support Comdata verification. You will need the Comcheck number, authorization code, and valid ID. Fees vary by location. Some drivers choose to deposit Comchecks into a business account tied to ongoing freight or interstate transport work.

What is a Comcheck express code?

A Comcheck express code is a shortened authorization code that allows faster approval when cashing a Comcheck. Instead of waiting for manual confirmation, the express code verifies funds instantly through the Comdata system. Express codes are commonly used for fuel advances or urgent expenses during expedited or same-day auto transport moves.

How does a Comcheck payment work?

A Comcheck payment works by assigning an authorization code to a specific dollar amount. The driver presents the Comcheck at a participating location, where the code is verified through Comdata’s system. Once approved, funds are released immediately or deposited, helping carriers maintain steady cash flow during active logistics or transport assignments.

Are Comchecks safe and legitimate?

Yes, Comchecks are legitimate and widely used across the U.S. trucking industry. They rely on real-time verification to ensure funds are available before payment is issued. When used correctly, they help reduce bounced payments and fraud, which is important for carriers managing costs alongside pricing and rate quotes for transport services.