Alabama DOT Number Requirements: APSC Cert., Permit and Reg. No. on the Door

Alabama DOT number requirements have two parts. The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) asks motor carriers that hold a certificate or permit from it to show business name, city and APSC numbers on each side of every power unit, under rule 770-X-10. Separately, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) adopts the federal safety rules, including the USDOT marking rule. This page reads both and lists what to ask each agency.

What the PSC rule lists for each power unit

The marking section is rule 770-X-10-.03-2-.04, "External Identification." For motor carriers that hold a certificate or a permit issued by the PSC, it says to display on each side of each power unit:

• The business name under which the certificate or permit was issued.
• The city of the carrier's principal place of business in Alabama.
• "APSC Cert." followed by the certificate number, if a common carrier. "APSC Permit" followed by the permit number, if a contract carrier only.
• "APSC Reg. No." followed by the registration number the Commission issued for that power unit.

The rule says this must be "legibly painted directly on the sides of the power unit" in a contrasting color, in letters "not less than 2 inches in size." That height is stated in this rule for these carriers. It is not a federal figure, and it does not apply to every truck in Alabama.

A note in the rule says certificate numbers may be kept inside the cab instead of on the outside. Check with the PSC before relying on that.

Who the rule is written for

The text speaks to carriers with PSC authority, meaning a certificate (common carriers) or a permit (contract carriers). Taxis have their own line in the same rule: carriers of passengers in vehicles with a capacity of five or fewer show the name, city and state, "APSC Cert." with the number, the vehicle's "APSC Reg. No." and a fare schedule, in letters at least 1-1/2 inches. A business hauling its own goods, with no PSC certificate or permit, is not who this section describes, so it is worth asking the PSC whether you hold one of its authorities.

A worked example

Take Tallapoosa Freight Lines, a made-up common carrier based in Dothan, with a made-up certificate number 4567 and a made-up registration number 8910 for one tractor. The side of that power unit would carry:

• TALLAPOOSA FREIGHT LINES
• DOTHAN
• APSC CERT. 4567
• APSC REG. NO. 8910

The registration number belongs to that one power unit, so a second tractor gets its own number from the Commission. A contract carrier would swap the third line for "APSC PERMIT" and its permit number.

Self-adhesive signs need written approval

This is the line most people miss. The rule says the information may be shown on "self-adhesive signs or placards, but only if" they have been approved in writing by the Chief of the Enforcement Division. It also says power units leased for less than 30 days may show certain items on a removable sign made of durable material, not paper or cardboard, securely fastened.

We print what you type, and we cannot say whether any decal has that approval. If you plan to use vinyl lettering for the APSC lines, ask the PSC in writing first and keep the answer.

The federal side: USDOT and ALEA

The PSC rule is not the only marking rule. ALEA's rule 760-X-1-.16 adopts Parts 390 through 399 of the federal safety regulations and says they apply to motor carriers "both inter and intra, private, for hire, etc., where practical" (ALEA rule 760-X-1). The marking rule in that group asks for the carrier's name and the number preceded by the letters USDOT, on both sides, in sharply contrasting letters readable from 50 feet in daylight while stopped (49 CFR 390.21T).

We did not find a weight line in the rule text we read, so do not assume one. Our free USDOT number checker gives a quick first look, and who needs a USDOT number explains the federal tests. The PSC rule also tells carriers in interstate commerce with PSC or federal authority to follow the federal identification rules.

Slips to avoid

• Using one registration number for every truck. The rule ties "APSC Reg. No." to the power unit.
• Printing "Cert." on a contract carrier's truck, or "Permit" on a common carrier's. The rule keys the word to the type of authority.
• A business name that differs from the name on the certificate or permit.
• Lettering so small that the line fails the 2-inch wording above.
• Lettering placed on a fuel tank or on a part of the vehicle meant mainly to protect cargo. The rule says not to.

Where the numbers come from

The PSC issues the certificate or permit number with the authority itself. For the registration number, the rule says to submit Form B-2 and the fee per vehicle to the Commission. A USDOT number comes from FMCSA through its Motus system at motus.dot.gov; see our how to get a USDOT number guide. We cannot get, issue or look up any of these numbers for you. Wait until yours is active before it goes on a door.

Questions to ask the Alabama PSC and ALEA

1. Which of my authorities puts APSC Cert. or APSC Permit on my truck, and does each tractor need an APSC Reg. No.?
2. May I use self-adhesive vinyl lettering, and can I get the approval in writing?
3. Can my certificate number stay in the cab?
4. Does my truck also need USDOT marking, and does it need the carrier name, too?

Ordering the decal

The APSC Number Decal (Alabama) prints one line, such as APSC Cert. 4567, from what you type. It is $18.99 at 12 inches, and a Set of 2 for both doors is double. You choose width (12, 18 or 24 inches, which are decal widths, not legal sizes), colors and lines in the door builder. For the name over it, add a line, or use the Company Name + USDOT Decal. Rules change, so confirm with the agencies. For other states see USDOT number requirements by state, and for placement, where to put the USDOT number on a truck.