USDOT Number
A unique registration number assigned by the FMCSA to identify commercial motor carriers operating in interstate commerce and track their safety information.
What Is a USDOT Number
A USDOT number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to commercial motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders operating in interstate commerce.[^1] The number serves as the primary tracking mechanism for a company's safety record, inspections, crash history, and compliance information.
Think of your USDOT number as your trucking company's identity with the federal government. Every inspection result, every crash report, and every CSA score ties back to this number. When a DOT officer runs your information at a weigh station, they pull up your USDOT record.
Your USDOT number is different from your MC number. The USDOT number is a registration requirement. The MC number is an operating authority grant. Most for-hire carriers need both, and you can apply for them simultaneously through the FMCSA MOTUS portal.
Who Needs a USDOT Number
The FMCSA requires USDOT registration for any commercial vehicle that meets at least one of the following criteria and operates in interstate commerce:[^2]
- Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Vehicles designed to transport more than 8 passengers including the driver for compensation
- Vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver without compensation
- Vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placards
Additionally, many states require USDOT numbers for intrastate commercial vehicle operations. Even if you only operate within one state, check your state's requirements because you may still need federal registration.
For anyone starting a trucking business, registering for a USDOT number is among the very first steps after forming your business entity and getting your EIN.
How to Register for a USDOT Number
Registration happens through the FMCSA MOTUS portal. The process is free for the USDOT number itself, though there is a $300 fee if you are also applying for MC authority.
Required Information
Have the following ready before starting your application:
- Legal business name and DBA (if applicable)
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
- Business address and mailing address
- Type of operation (for-hire, private, exempt)
- Type of cargo (general freight, household goods, hazmat, etc.)
- Number of power units and drivers
- Estimated annual mileage
- Insurance information (can be added after initial registration)
Registration Steps
Create an account on portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. Complete the registration form with your business and operational information. If you are a for-hire carrier, apply for MC authority at the same time.
After submission, your USDOT number is typically assigned within minutes for online applications. However, if you are also applying for MC authority, the full activation process takes 4-6 weeks due to the mandatory protest period.
What Your USDOT Number Tracks
Your USDOT record is a living document that accumulates data throughout your operating history. The FMCSA and state enforcement agencies use this data to identify high-risk carriers and prioritize inspections.
Safety ratings. If your company undergoes a compliance review or audit, the resulting safety rating (satisfactory, conditional, or unsatisfactory) is recorded against your USDOT number.
Inspection results. Every roadside inspection, whether clean or with violations, goes into the national database tied to your USDOT number. These feed into your CSA scores.
Crash data. Reportable crashes are linked to your USDOT number and affect your CSA Crash Indicator BASIC score. This data stays on your record for 24 months.
Complaint history. If shippers, other carriers, or the public file complaints about your operation, those complaints are logged against your USDOT number.
This accumulated safety data directly impacts your business. Brokers and shippers check your safety record before tendering loads. Insurance companies review your FMCSA data when setting premiums. Poor safety records can lead to FMCSA interventions including warning letters, targeted inspections, and compliance reviews.
Keeping Your USDOT Number Active
Biennial Update
Every two years, you must complete a biennial update through the MOTUS portal.[^1] The update is due during the month that corresponds to the last two digits of your USDOT number. For example, if your USDOT number ends in 06, your update is due every other June.
The update verifies that your registration information is current: business address, number of vehicles, number of drivers, types of operations, and contact information. It costs nothing to complete.
Missing the biennial update is a serious oversight. The FMCSA will deactivate your USDOT number, which effectively shuts down your operation. Reactivation requires completing the update and may involve additional steps if your authority has lapsed.
Insurance Requirements
Your USDOT number remains active only as long as you maintain required insurance filings with the FMCSA. If your insurance lapses and the BMC-91 or BMC-91X filing is removed, the FMCSA will begin the process of revoking your operating authority.
Reporting Changes
You must update your FMCSA registration within 30 days of any significant changes to your operation, including changes to your business address, legal name, type of operation, or adding hazardous materials to your cargo types.
Checking USDOT Information
Anyone can look up a carrier's USDOT information through the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. This public database shows registration status, authority information, insurance filings, safety ratings, and inspection history.
Regularly check your own record to ensure accuracy. Errors in crash reports or inspection data can be challenged through the FMCSA DataQs system. Incorrect negative data on your record can raise insurance costs and limit the brokers willing to work with you.
For a comprehensive overview of federal regulations and how your USDOT record fits into the bigger compliance picture, see our FMCSA compliance guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a USDOT number the same as an MC number?
- No. A USDOT number is a registration identifier that tracks your safety record, inspections, and compliance history. An MC number grants operating authority to haul regulated freight for hire across state lines. Most for-hire carriers need both, but they serve different purposes. Private carriers hauling their own goods typically need only a USDOT number.
- How do I look up a carrier's USDOT number?
- You can look up any carrier's USDOT number, safety record, insurance status, and authority information through the FMCSA SAFER website at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Enter the company name, USDOT number, or MC number to pull up their complete registration and safety profile. Brokers and shippers use this tool to verify carriers before tendering loads.
- What is the USDOT biennial update?
- Every two years, the FMCSA requires all registered carriers to update their registration information through the MOTUS portal. This includes verifying your business address, contact information, number of vehicles, number of drivers, and type of operations. The update is free and must be completed in the month your USDOT number was assigned. Missing the biennial update can result in your USDOT number being deactivated.
- Can I get a USDOT number with bad personal credit?
- Yes. The FMCSA does not run credit checks as part of the USDOT registration process. Registration is open to any entity that meets the basic requirements for operating a commercial motor vehicle. Your personal credit score does not affect your ability to get a USDOT number. Insurance costs may be higher with limited business history, but the registration itself is not credit-dependent.