In this post, you’ll get a simple and practical look at what a USDOT number is, why it matters for anyone running commercial vehicles, and how to get and keep one in 2025. A USDOT number is the unique ID the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues to businesses that move people, freight, or hazardous material. It’s the basic registration every interstate carrier needs.
If you’re running a trucking business, have a few buses on the road, or move goods from one state to another, knowing the rules about USDOT numbers is not just helpful; it’s necessary. These requirements are there to keep transport work safe and legal, so taking the time to understand them will save you trouble later.
What a USDOT Number Is and Why You Need It
A USDOT number is basically a special ID, an eight-digit code the FMCSA gives out. The FMCSA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can think of it like your company’s “fingerprint” in the trucking world. Authorities use it to keep track of your safety record, looking at things like road inspections, crash reports, and other compliance checks. The main idea is to make sure trucking companies and drivers follow safety rules and help cut down on accidents and road deaths across the U.S.
If your business moves goods or passengers across state lines, or does anything that counts as interstate commerce, like passing through a state or hauling across borders, you’re required to have a USDOT number. Even businesses that run only inside one state might still need a USDOT number, especially if they haul hazardous stuff or operate in a state that follows federal rules closely. If you don’t have one, you could get hit with big fines, sometimes up to $10,000 a day, have your trucks seized, or even get forced to stop running altogether. In 2025, the FMCSA is tightening things up even more by adding better security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and ID verification, so registration will be stricter but more secure.
Once you get your number, it must be clearly marked on both sides of every commercial vehicle in your fleet. Most companies place it on the cab doors, with numbers that are at least 2 inches tall and painted in a contrasting color to make sure it’s easy to see from about 50 feet away. For example, black numbers on a white truck door or white numbers on a dark cab. This helps the enforcement officers to quickly identify carriers during inspections.
How to Get a USDOT Number in 2025 – Step by Step
Getting a USDOT number these days is mostly done online through the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS). In 2025, there are a few new things to keep in mind, like identity checks for new applicants and linking your account with the FMCSA Portal for multi-factor authentication (MFA). Here’s quite a simple way to go about it:
Step 1: Get Your Info Together
Before starting the application, have all the needed info at hand:
- Business details: Legal name, address (must match USPS records), phone, email, and either EIN or your Social Security Number if you’re a sole owner.
- Operation type: Decide if your company is a motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, intermodal equipment provider, or a cargo tank facility.
- Vehicle and driver info: Number of vehicles, types of cargo (e.g., general freight, hazardous materials), interstate/intrastate operations, and number of drivers.
- Officer details: Names and titles of company officers.
- Credit card: For digital signature (not charged for basic USDOT).
For 2025, new applicants need a government-issued ID (U.S. passport, driver’s license, etc.) for identity verification via IDEMIA, involving a selfie and ID scan, no fees or app downloads required.
Apply Online via URS
- Visit fmcsa.dot.gov/registration and select “Apply for a USDOT Number.”
- Create a Login.gov account if you don’t have one (required for MFA in 2025).
- Complete the online form (MCS-150 for motor carriers, MCS-150B for hazmat, MCS-150C for intermodal). The system guides you based on your responses.
- Undergo identity verification: Scan your ID and take a facial photo using your mobile device.
- Submit and receive your USDOT number instantly if approved. Processing takes 20-25 business days for full review if adding authority.
- If you lack internet, request paper forms by calling 1-800-832-5660, but expect 4-6 weeks for processing. Mexico-domiciled carriers must use paper forms (OP-1 MX).
- Designate a Process Agent (BOC-3)
- File Form BOC-3 to appoint a process agent in every state you operate. This can be done online or via a third-party service.
- Obtain Insurance and Other Filings
- Submit proof of liability insurance (BMC-91/BMC-91X) and cargo insurance (BMC-85) electronically through your insurer. For for-hire carriers, apply for MC authority ($300 fee) via OP-1 form.
- Display and Update
- Mark your vehicles immediately. Update biennially (every two years based on your USDOT’s second-to-last digit: odd years for odd digits, even for even) or after changes like address or fleet size. Use the FMCSA Portal to handle your registration online as it’s free and pretty fast.
In 2025, the FMCSA rolled out the new Registration System (FRS), making things quite easier with real-time data updates. MC numbers are also being replaced with USDOT suffixes, and the system now includes better fraud alerts and ways for users to give feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About USDOT Numbers in 2025
What is a USDOT number?
A USDOT number is an eight-digit identifier issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to track and monitor the safety performance of commercial motor vehicles and their operators. It’s like your business’s unique ID in the transportation industry.
Who needs a USDOT number?
Any business operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce generally needs a USDOT number. Vehicles over 10,001 pounds, those carrying 9–15 passengers for compensation, or transporting hazardous materials typically require one. Some intrastate operators may also need a number depending on state regulations.
Is there a fee to get a USDOT number?
No, obtaining a basic USDOT number is free. However, if you are applying for an MC (Motor Carrier) authority, there is a $300 fee. Biennial updates are free online.
How do I display my USDOT number on vehicles?
The number must appear on both sides of the vehicle in at least 2-inch-high letters with a contrasting color for visibility from 50 feet. For example, black letters on a white truck or white letters on a dark cab.
