What Trucks Need USDOT Numbers, and Why Are They Important?

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) was established with the mission to ensure our nation has safe, modern, and efficient transport systems, from highways to railroads to public transit. This includes an agency called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that regulates the commercial driving industry in an effort to reduce accidents and injuries. An essential part of this work is monitoring the commercial vehicles on the road, as well as the companies and independent contractors that own and oversee them. When any company or individual wants to use certain commercial vehicles to transport passengers or cargo, including semis, they must first register for a USDOT number.

What is a USDOT Number

A USDOT Number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to companies operating commercial vehicles in the United States. It serves as a critical tool for monitoring and ensuring safety compliance within the transportation industry.

The USDOT Number enables the FMCSA to collect and monitor a company’s safety information during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections, thereby promoting safer roadways.

Who Needs a USDOT Number?

If you’re operating a commercial vehicle across state lines or in interstate commerce, you’ll likely need a USDOT Number. But who needs a USDOT Number exactly? This federal identifier is essential for ensuring safety compliance and accountability on the road. You are required to obtain a USDOT Number if any of the following apply to your operations:

• Vehicle Weight Exceeds 10,000 Pounds: If your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), or actual weight exceeds 10,000 pounds, registration is mandatory.
• Passenger Transportation for Compensation: If your vehicle is used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, including the driver, and you receive payment (direct or indirect) for this service, you must have a USDOT Number.
• Large Passenger Transport Without Payment: If you transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, even if no compensation is involved, your vehicle requires USDOT registration.
• Transporting Hazardous Materials: If your vehicle is used to haul hazardous materials that require a safety permit under federal regulations, a USDOT Number is mandatory.

No matter how many trucks are owned by a company, they will all have the same USDOT number for trucks. This is because the number is used to track accident investigations, inspections, audits, and compliance with USDOT regulations. The USDOT number means a company or independent contractor can be evaluated easily and that information about compliance and operations is open to the public.

Every 24 months the carrier is required to file reports with the USDOT for their number to continue to be valid. A truck accident lawyer will not only confirm the number is still valid but will also look through the USDOT records to find any issues of noncompliance that may have contributed to an accident with a semi or other commercial vehicle.

Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to steep fines, operational suspensions, and other legal consequences.

If you’re unsure whether your vehicle meets these standards or need assistance with USDOT registration, consult a legal professional or visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website for detailed guidance.

Does Indiana Require All Commercial Vehicles to Display DOT Numbers?

Beyond the Federal requirements for USDOT commercial truck registration, Indiana requires all commercial vehicles to have either a USDOT number or an Indiana ID number. You must register for an Indiana ID Number if:

• The vehicle-for-hire transports 8 or fewer passengers.
• The vehicle weighs less than 10,001 pounds and carries general freight.

In this way, the Indiana state laws cover the commercial vehicles that would not be covered by the FMCSA regulations. An Indiana personal injury attorney can help you figure out which classification applies to the commercial vehicle in your accident.

USDOT Truck and Commercial Vehicle Marking Requirements

Information so that the truck can be identified must be visible on the commercial vehicle for it to be legally operated. There are three types of information that can be displayed depending on the type of vehicle and how it is registered:

• The legal name or single trade name of the motor carrier operating the vehicle, as long as this name matches what is filed with the USDOT or the State of Indiana.
• For interstate vehicles, the federal number that was issued by the FMCSA, that must be preceded by the letters “USDOT.”
• For intrastate vehicles, the Indiana ID number that was issued by Indiana Department of Revenue, preceded by the letters “USDOT” and followed by the letters “IN.”

These markings are traditionally put on both doors of the commercial vehicle. The USDOT requires that this information be displayed on both sides of the vehicle. The information must be in bold or contrasting colors to the vehicle paint, so it is easy to read. The lettering height must be a minimum of 2” tall so it can be seen from 50 feet away.

How Can I Check a USDOT Number or Indiana ID?

The USDOT and FMCSA have established a few ways you can personally find out about the history associated with any USDOT number. The easiest method is to use the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System. This allows you to search by number or by the registered name of the carrier. You can also call the FMCSA Customer Service line. All this information may give you more reassurance about your case, but these details should definitely be discussed with a trucking accident attorney.  Semi accident attorneys can request additional records like timesheets, health evaluations, and detailed maintenance records that can better establish if negligence contributed to your injury in a truck accident.

There is no public method to check the record of a commercial carrier with only an Indiana ID number. Your Indiana truck crash lawyer will follow up on the records of commercial vehicles that operate within the state and weigh less than 10,001 pounds, or transport eight passengers or less.

Not every commercial vehicle accident is caused by negligence, but semi-accident injury attorneys know the right questions to ask and how to obtain physical evidence when negligence has occurred. If you were injured in a truck accident and want to regain peace of mind, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell will help you. For over 25 years our firm has worked to represent individuals permanently affected by injuries and wrongful death caused by the negligence of others. From hearing your story to fighting for you in court, our Indiana semi truck accident attorneys want to help you.