Do All Commercial Trucks Need To Be Registered With Dot

Certain vehicles are required to have a USDOT Number, which serves equally a unique identifier for the vehicle. These numbers are used for monitoring and collecting prophylactic data for the purpose of audits and compliance reviews, inspections, and crash investigations. If your visitor engages in interstate commerce or certain types of intrastate commerce (such as transporting chancy materials), obtaining a USDOT Number may be essential for compliance with land and federal regulations.

In this guide, nosotros'll cover everything you lot need to know about USDOT Numbers for commercial trucks, including requirements, uses, how to obtain a USDOT Number, and more than.

When is a USDOT Number Required?
Complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
How to Register with FMCSA
Boosted Resources on USDOT Numbers for Commercial Trucks

When is a USDOT Number Required?

Whatever company operating commercial vehicles that transport passengers or haul cargo in interstate commerce is required to have a USDOT Number and be registered with the FMCSA. In addition to these companies and vehicles, any commercial intrastate vehicles that transport hazardous materials — in any types or quantities that require a condom let — must as well register for a USDOT Number.

Specifically, a USDOT Number is required for vehicles used for intrastate commerce which:

Are used to transport hazardous materials in whatsoever type or quantity that requires a safety permit for intrastate commerce

Vehicles that are used for interstate commerce are required to have USDOT Numbers based on unlike requirements. Specifically, USDOT Numbers are required for vehicles used for interstate commerce which:

Have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating (if greater than the gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight) of 10,001 pounds or greater
Has a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight (if greater than the gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating) of x,001 pounds or greater
Are designed for or used to transport eight or more passengers, including the commuter, for compensation
Are designed for or used to transport 15 or more passengers, including the driver, simply are not used to transport passengers for compensation

Interstate commerce is divers as any merchandise, traffic, or transportation in the United states occurring:

Between a place within a country and a place exterior of that state's borders
Between ii places in a single state, but for which transportation must occur through another state or a place outside of the Us
Between two places within a single land that occurs as part of whatsoever trade, traffic, or transportation that originates or completes in a location exterior of the state or exterior of the United States

The responsibleness for understanding and complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safe Regulations falls on motor carrier operators and drivers, meaning that information technology's up to commercial and rider vehicle operators and their drivers to know whether regulations apply and have all necessary steps to ensure compliance.

In addition, 35 states, likewise as Puerto Rico, crave intrastate commercial vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT Number, while the following xv states do not:

Arkansas
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New United mexican states
North Dakota
Rhode Isle
Southward Dakota
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia

Complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safe Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Prophylactic Regulations (FMCSRs) exist to improve highway prophylactic for passengers also as other travelers that share the roads with vehicles hauling hazardous materials and engaging in interstate transport. These regulations include limits on the number of consecutive hours of service drivers may clock, which aim to foreclose accidents resulting from fatigue.

Property-carrying drivers may bulldoze for a maximum of 11 hours following a minimum of ten sequent hours off duty, for case, while rider-carrying drivers are limited to 10 hours of driving following a minimum of eight consecutive hours off duty. Additionally, both passenger-conveying and property-carrying drivers may non drive after 60/70 hours on duty within a menses of seven to eight days.

While compliance with many FMCSRs is the responsibility of the operator, the hours of service regulations, too every bit some other requirements, rest on the shoulders of the drivers themselves. In fact, drivers are now required to maintain electronic logs documenting all hours of service, breaks, and other information to verify that these requirements are being met. A complete summary of the hours of service regulations can be constitute hither.

Other regulations that fall under the FMCSRs applicable to drivers include (but aren't limited to):

New mobile telephone restrictions, which prohibit the use of hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including for the purposes of making a telephone call or dialing when pressing more than a single button is required. CMV drivers may, however, use a hands-free phone while driving, only if the device is located in close proximity. Failure to comply may consequence in fines and penalties, and repeated violations may event in driver disqualification.
Drivers must accept a medical examination and be deemed medically fit to perform their job duties.
Drivers must have a commercial commuter's license (CDL) appropriate for the vehicles they're operating. A CDL must be issued from the commuter's home state, and information technology's actually illegal to have a CDL in more than one state.

Requirements for companies include regulations surrounding periodic inspections, maintenance of commercial motor vehicles, and acceptable insurance coverage, amid other requirements designed to meliorate the safety of U.S. highways.

At that place are also some specific requirements pertaining to who is responsible for registering and displaying a USDOT number, particularly in the case of owner-operators. Historically, possessor-operators leasing nether a carrier'due south potency simply used the carrier'due south USDOT number and authority, although depending on the state, in that location are at present some circumstances under which owner-operators must obtain their own USDOT Number and dominance registration.

How to Annals with FMCSA

There are several steps involved in registering with FMCSA. Outset, determine if FMCSA registration is required (any operators or drivers coming together the applicability rules outlined higher up are required to register). This interactive questionnaire can help to determine if y'all're required to obtain a USDOT number.

Then, you demand to make up one's mind if you need an interstate Operating Authority number (known as an MC number). Companies required to obtain an MC number, in addition to a DOT number, include those which:

Transport passengers in interstate commerce, whether direct or indirect, for a fee or other bounty
Transport federally regulated bolt owned by others, or arrange for the transport of federally regulated bolt, in interstate commerce, for a fee or other compensation

Operating authority under FMCSA is typically identified by the type of authorisation granted, including MC, FF, or MX numbers. In some cases, companies may be required to obtain multiple operating authorities, depending on what's required to support the organization'due south planned business operations. USDOT numbers, on the other hand, consist of a unmarried application process for all operations.

The Operating Authority determines both the type of functioning a company can run as well as the types of cargo a company is permitted to bear, as well as the insurance coverage requirements set up forth by the FMCSA. The various types of potency include:

Motor Carrier of Property (except Household Goods) – This authorisation applies to authorized for-hire motor carriers that transport regulated bolt, with the exception of household goods, for the utilise of the general public for compensation. These motor carriers must file proof of public liability insurance (including actual injury and property impairment) with the FMCSA in order to obtain operating authorization, although cargo insurance is not required for this blazon of authority.
Motor Carrier of Household Appurtenances (Moving Companies) – This dominance applies to motor carriers that transport household goods for the general public for compensation, such as moving companies. Specifically, household appurtenances consist of personal items that are used in a domicile, including items shipped from stores or factories and transported on behalf of the householder, who also pays the transportation fees. These motor carriers are required to file proof of public liability insurance (including actual injury and holding damage), too as proof of cargo insurance with the FMCSA in order to be granted interstate operating say-so.
Banker of Property (except Household Appurtenances) – This operating authority applies to individuals, partnerships, or corporations that receive compensation for arranging for the transport of property, with the exception of household goods, which belong to others using an authorized motor carrier. Brokers do not take possession of the belongings and therefore do non assume responsibleness for it.
Banker of Household Goods – This operating authority applies to individuals, partnerships, or corporations that receive compensation for arranging for the transportation of household appurtenances (items intended for apply in a home) that belong to others using an authorized motor carrier. Like Brokers of Property, Brokers of Household Appurtenances don't assume responsibleness for the household goods being transported, as they never take direct possession of those goods. Companies are required to register as a household goods broker if the motor carrier providing transportation services also provides some (or all) of the following services: binding and nonbinding estimates, inventorying, protective packing and unpacking of individual items at personal residences, and loading and unloading at personal residences.
United states of america-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo (except Household Goods) – This operating authorisation applies to companies that transport international cargo, with the exception of household goods, that are headquartered in the United States but are endemic or controlled by a Mexican citizen or resident conflicting (55% or greater control or ownership). In this case, international cargo must either be destined for or originate in a strange country.
Usa-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Appurtenances – This authority applies to any company that transports international household goods which is headquartered in the U.s.a. simply endemic or controlled by a Mexican citizen or resident alien (55% or greater control or ownership). This authority specifically applies to companies that send household goods – items meant for personal utilize in a home – including items purchased from a store or factory for this purpose and transported at the request of the householder, who is also paying the transportation fees. Every bit this dominance relates to international household goods, the appurtenances being transported must either originate from or be destined for a dwelling house in a strange state.

There are also additional types of potency used in special circumstances such as:

Freight Forwarder Potency
Motor Passenger Carrier Authority
Not-North America-Domiciled Motor Carriers
Mexico-based Carriers for Motor Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond U.Due south. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.Southward.-United mexican states Border
Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Individual Carriers Under 49 U.S.C. 13902

Some carriers are not required to have Operating Authorisation, including:

Carriers that ship their own cargo, or private carriers
Carriers that booty exempt commodities (non-federally regulated cargo) exclusively, even if on a for-hire basis
Carriers operating exclusively in a federally designated "commercial zone" which is exempt from interstate authority rules and regulations. These commercial zones my include geographic territories that border on a major metropolitan urban center, such every bit the Virginia/Maryland/Washington, DC metropolitan area, that include multiple states

If a visitor determines that Operating Authority is required, the appropriate MC Number must be obtained and the advisable proof of insurance coverage, if required, submitted to the FMCSA. For outset-time registrants who practice not already take a USDOT Number should annals through the new Unified Registration Organisation here. Those that are already registered and already accept a USDOT Number, such as those applying for an additional dominance, can use online through FMCSA'south legacy registration system. Application status tin can be checked on the SAFER website.

Later determining the need for obtaining Operating Authority and applying for an MC Number if required, companies should determine insurance requirements, obtain the appropriate coverage, and submit proof of coverage to FMCSA. Note that liability and cargo insurance forms must be submitted online by the insurance company furnishing the coverage. Coverage requirements include:

Public liability insurance (bodily injury/property damage/environmental restoration) is required for motor carriers and freight forwarders, although not-vehicle-operating freight forwarders may opt to have this requirement waived. For freight, the required coverage is $750,000 to $5,000,000, depending on the commodities transported. For not-hazardous freight that'south moved only in vehicles weighing x,000 pounds or less, the required coverage is $300,000. For passengers, $five,000,000 in coverage is required, or $i,500,000 for registrants that operate vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less but.
Cargo insurance of $five,000 per vehicle, $ten,000 per occurrence is required of both Household Goods Motor Carriers and Household Goods Freight Forwarders.
A Surety Bail in the amount of $75,000, Trust Fund Agreement amount of $75,000 is required of both Freight Forwarders and Brokers of Freight.
Service of Procedure Agents are required for all authorities.
Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability, under Sections 29 and 30 of the Motor Carrier Human action of 1980, is required of Hazmat Safety Let Carriers.

After handling proof of insurance requirements, companies must determine what country notification and registration requirements apply. FMCSA maintains a helpful resource with information on state governments, state consumer protection offices, and other entities that may accept information on land-specific regulations.

Then, companies should begin the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program, which applies to both U.S. and Canada-based motor carriers. New entrants are monitored for a period of xviii months and are required to operate safely, maintain accurate and upwardly-to-appointment records, perform regular maintenance and conduct periodic inspections on commercial motor vehicles, and pass a safety inspect. During this initial 18-calendar month period, FMCSA will monitor the company's rubber performance via roadside inspections, deport safe audits on new entrants, and if deemed prophylactic, grant permanent authority to the company.

Safety audits or reviews typically occur within 12 months of the start of operations, and compliance reviews or intervention may occur at any time FMCSA safety data indicates potential problems. New entrants volition automatically fail the safety audit for whatever violations related to the post-obit:

Drugs and alcohol violations
Driver violations, such as operating without a CDL or the use of butterfingers or medically unfit drivers
Operations violations, such as operating without the required minimum level of insurance coverage or failing to require drivers to maintain accurate hours of service records
Repairs and inspections violations, such every bit operating vehicles declared out-of-service earlier repairs are made or operating CMVs that are not inspected periodically

Note that some operators must also comply with other regulations, such as the Household Goods (HHG) Regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Human action (ADA). While compliance with these regulations isn't used as a determining factor in a safety inspect, violations may result in investigation by other federal and state agencies equally applicative.

To use for a USDOT Number, there are several application options, depending on the blazon of operations the company engages in and other permits required:

Motor Carrier Identification Report (Application for USDOT Number)
Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report and Hazardous Materials Permit Application
Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification report (Application for USDOT Number)

Other forms and instructions, such as those for filing proof of insurance, applications for Operating Authority, and forms for Procedure Agents, tin can be found here.

Only after completing the New Entrant Condom Assurance program can companies utilise for permanent USDOT registration. More than information on this process can exist found here. Even afterward permanent USDOT registration is obtained, it'south up to companies to maintain and update their USDOT Numbers and Operating Say-so information every bit necessary. These updates may include routine updates, biennial updates, and inactivation, deactivation, and reactivation of USDOT Numbers.

It'southward free to update information, but FMCSA does require that companies update their information at to the lowest degree every two years (biennial update). This requirement applies fifty-fifty to companies that accept not inverse any information as well equally those that have discontinued interstate operations since the last update. Even companies that are no longer in business are required to complete a biennial update if they accept not notified FMCSA of their business status. Companies that fail to consummate a biennial update may take their USDOT Number deactivated and may be subject to ceremonious penalties up to $1,000 per day, or a maximum of $10,000.

As USDOT Numbers are an important identification tool used to maintain records on commercial motor vehicles, there are specifications that dictate the size and appearance of the display of these numbers on vehicles. For commercial trucks, USDOT Numbers must be readily legible during the day from a minimum altitude of fifty feet, with a minimum meridian of two inches. These numbers are about often displayed on the doors of the vehicle to encounter the requirement that the number is displayed on the ability unit, on both sides of the CMV.

USDOT Numbers must also be in a loftier contrast to the rest of the vehicle to ensure visibility. Additionally, CMVs must exist marked with the legal name of the business entity controlling the motor carrier functioning (or the "doing business concern as" or DBA name) – the business organisation entity's name as it appears on the MCS-150 form. Equally commercial motor vehicles regularly travel in hazardous weather weather, companies should opt for highly durable information plates, such as Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum, for reliable transportation asset identification and regulatory compliance.