U.S. DOT Number

As of December 12, 2015, all DOT applications must be filed through Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) directly here.

When do I need a U.S DOT number?

The need for a USDOT number depends on the type of operation your motor carrier is involved in and the size of the vehicle(s) used. The motor carrier is either involved in INTERSTATE commerce (meaning the CMV or cargo/freight crosses State lines) or INTRASTATE commerce (meaning the CMV and cargo/freight do not cross State lines). If you are involved in both INTERSTATE and INTRASTATE commerce, you must register as an INTERSTATE motor carrier.

INTERSTATE - You must have a USDOT number authorizing you as an INTERSTATE motor carrier when you are involved in interstate commerce and your vehicle meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle found in 49 CFR 390.5 which states:

• • Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—

(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
 

(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
 

(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
 

(4) Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

INTRASTATE - You must have a USDOT number authorizing you as an INTRASTATE motor carrier when you are solely involved in intrastate commerce and the vehicle(s) used in your operation requires a Commercial Driver’s License, as listed below (definition found in 49 CFR 383.5):

(1) Class A Combination Vehicle — having a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever is greater; or
 

(2) Class B Heavy Straight Vehicle —having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater; or
 

(3) Class C Small Vehicle that does not meet Class A or B requirements but that either –

(i) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or

(ii) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section

(iii) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.