FMCSA SERVICES
FAQ
Absolutely! Our support team is here for you every step of the way to ensure you get all the help and guidance you need. Please don’t hesitate to call us or email us anytime.
A USDOT number is essentially the same as a DOT number, with the prefix “US” indicating it is an American number. In the trucking industry, these terms are used interchangeably, so when someone mentions a USDOT number, they are referring to a DOT number.
An example of a USDOT number could be USDOT1523020, typically printed on every truck in the company’s fleet. This number is prominently displayed on the cab of the truck, often on the driver’s door.
DOT numbers were introduced by the FMCSA to reduce road incidents resulting in loss of life or property damage due to improperly trained drivers or unsafe companies. They achieve this by tracking incidents and accidents caused by specific drivers or companies, with the authority to revoke certification for companies deemed unsafe.
You might be wondering how to determine which type of fleet or vehicle requires a DOT number. There are various rumors suggesting that certain states or companies may be exempt, making it challenging to understand when they are genuinely necessary.
In general, you will need to acquire a USDOT number if you plan to engage in any of the following activities with your company:
-
Uses vehicles weighing over GVWR, GCWR, GVW or GCW of 10,001 pounds (4,536 kg) or more
-
Has employees operating commercial vehicles on an interstate.
-
Transports passengers for hire (specifically 9-15 people).
-
Transports more than 15 people for any purpose.
-
Moves hazardous materials of any type.
-
Operating as a Broker (property, non-exempt commodities), Freight Forwarder, Intermodal Equipment Provider or a Cargo Tank Facility.
No, a single USDOT number is sufficient. This number should be displayed on the side of all your commercial vehicles. USDOT numbers are assigned to individuals or entities for identification with the FMCSA and are granted for a lifetime. The term “person” in this context includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, or other business organizations as authorized by state law.
You can update your business name without obtaining a new USDOT number as long as there’s no change in ownership and it’s the same business. Just make sure to have your Articles of Amendment from the state with the new name. You can make updates with MCS-150 Form.
No, USDOT numbers are non-transferable. They are assigned to specific individuals or entities and cannot be transferred to another person. If there is a change in ownership or structure to a company formed with the state (LLC, INC, etc), you can request name change with Articles of Amendments or Organizations, otherwise a new USDOT number must be obtained for the new owner or entity.
- Business information (name, location, etc.).
- Personal information for FMCSA contact purposes.
- Details about the operation classification you are seeking.
- Specify whether you will transport people or cargo.
- A valid address.
If your company intends to transport or arrange transportation for property, household goods, or passengers for compensation in interstate commerce (crossing state lines or national borders), obtaining an Operating Authority is a mandatory requirement.
- Motor Carrier of Property (excluding Household Goods).
- Motor Carrier of Household Goods (Moving Companies).
- Broker of Property (excluding Household Goods).
- Broker of Household Goods.
- United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Cargo (excluding Household Goods).
- United States-based Enterprise Carrier of International Household Goods.
- Freight Forwarder Authority.
- Motor Passenger Carrier Authority.
- Non-North America-Domiciled Motor Carriers.
- Mexico-based Carriers for Motor Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.-Mexico Border.
- Mexican Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers.
The process usually takes 20-25 days from your application date. Keep in mind that meeting additional requirements is essential for obtaining your Operating Authority. This includes filing your BOC-3 process agent designation and ensuring the proper insurance is on file with the FMCSA.
A process agent (BOC-3) is someone who can receive legal papers if there’s a court case involving a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. You need to have this in place before you can get an Operating Authority.
No, it’s not allowed. You cannot engage in interstate commerce until you have received your certificate/permit along with the required state registrations.
Intrastate commerce involves conducting transportation solely within your base state, without crossing state lines or international borders. However, be aware of certain exceptions that might categorize you as an interstate carrier (refer to the caveats below).
On the other hand, interstate commerce entails crossing state lines or international borders.
The term “operating authority” pertains to the legal permission granted to a motor carrier for operating a commercial motor vehicle throughout the U.S. for the following purposes:
- Operating as for-hire carriers (for a fee or compensation).
- Transporting passengers or arranging their transport in interstate commerce.
- Transporting federally regulated commodities or arranging for their transport in interstate commerce.
Companies engaging in the these activities must get an interstate operating authority (MC number) along with a DOT number.
You must file MCS-150 Form if you have made any changes / updates to your business or your 2 year is up. It does not hurt to file MCS-150 Update even if you are not sure you have to or if you do it earlier. You are allowed to file the MCS-150 6 months before your due month.
These messages may be confusing, especially for new carriers. The key thing to understand is that USDOT numbers are assigned randomly. For example, if you received your new USDOT number in May 2024, and the last two digits are “58,” your official biennial update is now due in August 2024 because it’s an odd-numbered year.
In simpler terms, the biennial update isn’t based on when you got your USDOT number but is required every two years, determined by the last two digits. The last digit indicates the month it’s due (8 for August), and the second-to-last digit indicates whether to file in an odd or even year (5 for an odd number, so you file in August of odd-numbered years).
No need to apply for a new USDOT number; it’s yours for life. Simply reactivate it by submitting a reapplication through the MCS-150 form. DOT Filer can help with this process, address your queries, and handle any required compliance services.
You can perform the official biennial update only during the specified month and year based on the last two digits of your USDOT number. On the other hand, an “edit” is an update made any time before the official biennial update is due. For example, filing your biennial update in January when it’s due in March of the same year is considered an “edit” and not the official biennial update. In this case, filing too early is not advisable.
Brokers and freight forwarders are exempt from filing the biennial update every two years. However, if they have any changes, like a name or address change, they must file a MCSA 5889 form.
For private, exempt for-hire, and for-hire motor carriers of passengers or cargo, including Ag-exempt farmers, there are currently no exemptions from filing a biennial update. If you have a USDOT number, it must be kept up-to-date or filed as “Out of Business” if no longer in use. Even if you discover you don’t need a USDOT number, if it’s active in the FMCSA database, you must update or deactivate it.
Your biennial update isn’t about when you got your USDOT number; it’s needed every two years, depending on the last two digits of your number. This means you might have to file the update a few months after getting your USDOT number.
Every two years, a carrier must provide this update, even if the company’s information hasn’t changed, it has stopped Interstate operations, or is no longer in business, and you didn’t inform the FMCSA.
Changes or updates that happen outside your required biennial update month and year, like adding or removing drivers or vehicles, are categorized as an “Edit.” Ensure you file an edit within 30 days of the change.
If the next-to-last digit of your USDOT number is odd, you file in odd-numbered years. If it is even, you file in even-numbered years. The last digit tells you the month it is due.
The MCS 150 is a mandatory form required by the FMCSA for obtaining or renewing your USDOT number. Every motor carrier is required to update their details with FMCSA every two years or if there is any changes.
When you submit the MCS 150 form, the FMCSA utilizes your business details to compute a safety score via its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. This program collects data from state-reported crashes, roadside inspections, and investigations, associating relevant information with a carrier’s DOT number. The FMCSA analyzes this data, along with the information provided in your MCS 150 filing, to assess your overall safety performance.
The FMCSA mandates an MCS 150 update, also known as the Biennial Update, every two years at least for acquiring and keeping your USDOT number. You also need to file MCS-150 if you make any changes:
-
Biennial (every 2 years) Update
-
Changed your business address
-
Changed your company name
-
Changed your operating authority
-
Reapplication (after revocation of new entrant)
-
Reactivate USDOT
-
Become a hazardous materials carrier
-
Added to or reduced the number of vehicles or drivers in your fleet
-
Notify FMCSA that the company is no longer operating
-
Make any other changes to your business
Whenever you make changes to your trucking business and operations, you need to submit an MCS-150 update.
If you don’t finish your Biennial Update, your USDOT Number may be deleted. Plus, not following the rules during the update could lead to daily fines of up to $1,000, with a maximum of $10,000 overall.
UCR Registration (Unified Carrier Registration) is a federally mandated program essential for motor carriers and businesses engaged in interstate commerce. This program necessitates the registration and annual filing of fleets. Compliance with UCR is crucial for your commercial transportation business, as failure to register may result in the inability to operate or potential removal from the road.
If caught driving across state lines without UCR, authorities can detain your vehicle, and you may face fines ranging from $50 to $2000 per day, or even potential jail time, depending on the states involved.
Private Motor Carriers of Passengers and all Motor Carriers operating solely within Hawaii, except those involved in moving household goods for individual shippers are exempt from UCR.
As of January 20, 2024, the non-participating states in the UCR program include Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. For the latest information, please refer to the FMCSA website.
No, if you operate as an interstate carrier and cross into a participating state, you are required to register with UCR.
Yes, UCR registration is required for Amazon or Postal Service contractors, as they operate as interstate carriers when parcels cross state lines. They need to register, typically under the 0-2 fleet size.
Every motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder under the FMCSA is obligated to possess a BOC-3 on record with the FMCSA as a prerequisite for obtaining authority. Additionally, if an MC or FF number has been revoked and needs reinstatement, a BOC-3 is also necessary to fulfill this requirement.
You are allowed to serve as your own process agent only within your base state. However, it is necessary to have a physical address where legal documents can be received during regular business hours.
While registering with the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) is not mandatory for drivers, we strongly recommend it. Registration is necessary for drivers to grant consent for pre-employment/full queries and if any violations are reported on them. Essentially, drivers seeking new employment or with reported violations must register. Additionally, drivers are required to designate their Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to assist with the return-to-duty process. Registered drivers can also access their information in the Clearinghouse.
An employer falls under the jurisdiction of the FMCSA drug & alcohol testing program and must adhere to Clearinghouse regulations if either the employer or their employees:
- Hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), or a similar license issued by Mexico or Canada, and
- Operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in any state.
A CMV is typically defined as a vehicle that meets one of the following criteria:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating/gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight rating/gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or
- Is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or
- Regardless of size, is used to transport hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded.
The Clearinghouse, mandated by Congress and managed by the Secretary of Transportation, stands as a robust online database pivotal in ensuring the safety and integrity of commercial driving. It provides a real-time repository of drug and alcohol program violations for CDL and CLP holders, offering essential transparency to employers, FMCSA, SDLAs, and law enforcement.
It helps employers, regulators, and police keep an eye on violations in real-time. This is important because some drivers might not tell their next employer about past problems. By catching these issues early, the Clearinghouse helps make sure drivers get the help they need before they’re back on the road, making highways safer for everyone.
Employers who don’t comply with the latest FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements are subject to criminal penalties and/or civil fines, not to exceed $2,500 for each offense.
While drivers aren’t mandated to register, it’s necessary for them to be registered to access their file information and provide electronic consent for a full query request from current or potential employers. Encouraging your drivers to register ensures they have the necessary access and permissions for employment-related queries and to view their own data.
The Clearinghouse impacts anyone holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and driving a commercial vehicle on public roads, as well as those who employ them. This includes:
-
Interstate and intrastate motor carriers
-
Passenger carriers
-
School bus drivers
-
Construction equipment operators
-
Limousine drivers
-
Municipal vehicle drivers (e.g., waste management vehicles)
-
Business owners employing any of the above
-
Owner-operators (individuals who employ themselves as CDL drivers)
After registering, employers are required to utilize the Clearinghouse in the following ways:
-
Conduct a full query of the Clearinghouse as part of every pre-employment driver investigation process.
-
Conduct limited queries at least annually for every driver on their payroll.
-
Request electronic consent from the driver for any full query, including pre-employment queries.
-
Report their drivers’ drug and alcohol program violations.
-
Record any negative return-to-duty (RTD) test results and the date of successful completion of a follow-up testing plan for any employed driver with unresolved violations.