USDOT only
USDOT Decal Sticker
Just the number: your USDOT number in clear lettering. Same 3M/ORACAL vinyl, same 3-year warranty.
$12.99per decal
Rules and requirements
What Is a USDOT Number? A Plain Explanation
A USDOT number is the identification number FMCSA issues to a motor carrier, shown on the truck with the company name. Here is what it is, what it is not and how to check yours.
What is a USDOT number? It is the identification number that FMCSA issues to a motor carrier, shown on the company's trucks with the letters "USDOT" in front of it (49 CFR 390.21). Think of it as the company's safety identity: one number tied to one company, not to a single truck.
If you see a DOT number on a truck door, that is what you are looking at. It tells you which company is running the vehicle, and anyone can look that company up for free.
What the number identifies
FMCSA's registration guidance puts the USDOT number on the safety side of registration: companies subject to the safety requirements are required to obtain one (FMCSA). It is the number the marking rule asks you to display.
The key word is carrier. The number is tied to the company that operates the vehicles, not to a single truck or driver.
What it looks like on a truck
On the door you will see the company name, then the letters USDOT followed by the number. That is the whole marking: name and number, on both sides of the self-propelled vehicle.
A few details people ask about:
- The prefix. The letters "USDOT" come first, as the rule words it. A bare number on its own is not what the rule describes.
- Suffixes. FMCSA's Motus notice says suffixes are not required for marking commercial vehicles (Federal Register). Copy the number the way FMCSA issued it.
- Extras. You may add other identifying information if it is not inconsistent with the required name and number. See our USDOT number display rules for the full marking rule.
You do not choose the number. FMCSA assigns it, so the only way to get it right on a decal is to copy it from your own registration or lookup record, character for character.
What a USDOT number is not
It is easy to mix it up with other numbers on a truck, so here is the short list.
- It is not operating authority. Authority to haul regulated freight or passengers for others is the MC number, a separate record (FMCSA). Our guide to MC number vs DOT number explains the split.
- It is not a state number. Some states require their own numbers, such as California's CA number, Kentucky's KYU or Texas TXDOT. Our state requirements guide covers them.
- It is not a rating. It is an identification number. It does not rate or approve anything about the company's trucks, drivers or decals.
It belongs to one company
FMCSA says a USDOT number belongs to the same legal person forever, and cannot be sold, transferred, rented or leased (FMCSA fraud alerts).
The practical result shows up when a truck changes hands. A used truck may still wear the old company's name and number. Those belong to that company, so the new operator needs lettering of its own.
The name has to match
The rule asks for the carrier's legal name or a single trade name as listed on its Form MCS-150, and FMCSA's summary says the name on the vehicle must match that record (FMCSA highlights). The number and the name are a pair. We cover the name side in the company name guide.
Who needs one
FMCSA says companies that operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce must be registered and must have a USDOT number, and that some states also require one for intrastate carriers (FMCSA). The test depends on weight, passengers, hazardous materials and how the vehicle is used. Who needs a USDOT number walks through it. If you do not have a number yet, see how to get a USDOT number.
Check your own record
FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot is free and lets you search by DOT number, MC/MX number or company name (FMCSA SAFER). Our USDOT number lookup guide shows what to check. Once you have your number and name, our USDOT Decal Sticker carries the number alone, and the Custom USDOT Logo adds the name, city and MC.
Frequently asked questions
What does USDOT stand for?
USDOT is short for the U.S. Department of Transportation, the federal department that includes FMCSA. The "USDOT" letters on a truck tell a reader that the number after them is the identification number FMCSA issued to the carrier. The marking rule asks for those letters in front of the number.
How many digits is a USDOT number?
Use the number exactly as FMCSA issued it to you, because that is the only count that matters on a decal. We do not give a digit count here. Copy your own number from your registration or from a SAFER lookup, then read it back against the live preview before you place the order.
What does the DOT number on a truck door mean?
It names the company running the truck. The marking has the carrier's name and its USDOT number, so anyone can look the company up in FMCSA's free SAFER Company Snapshot. If the name on the door differs from the record, there may be a simple reason such as a lease, so ask the company.
Is a USDOT number a permit to haul for hire?
No. It identifies the company. Hauling regulated cargo or passengers for others for a fee generally takes operating authority, the MC number, in addition to a USDOT number. Private carriers hauling their own cargo generally do not need the MC number. Check FMCSA's operating authority page for your own situation.
Is a federal USDOT number the same as a state number?
No. The federal number comes from FMCSA, and FMCSA says some states also require intrastate carriers to obtain a USDOT number, so check your state agency. Other state numbers, such as a CA, KYU or TXDOT number, come from the state and are separate. Having one does not replace the other.
Decals for this
All decals →USDOT only
Custom USDOT Logo
Your business name, city, USDOT and MC together on one decal. Pick color, pick size, stick it on.
$26$50per decal
Keep reading
All guides →Rules and requirements
Who Needs a USDOT Number? A Plain-Words Walkthrough
A step-by-step way to tell whether your truck, van or pickup counts as a commercial motor vehicle, and where state rules can change the answer.
Read →Rules and requirementsUSDOT Number Lookup: Find Any Carrier for Free
FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot lets you look up a USDOT or MC number, or a company name, for free. Here is where to search and how to use what you find.
Read →Rules and requirementsHow to Get a USDOT Number: Steps, Cost and Timing
New USDOT numbers are applied for in FMCSA's Motus system. Here are the steps, an honest answer on cost and timing, and the look-alike sites to avoid.
Read →Rules and requirementsMC Number vs DOT Number: What Each One Is
A USDOT number is the safety registration every covered carrier has. An MC number is operating authority for for-hire carriers. Here is the difference and what goes on the door.
Read →Decals for your vehicle
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Type your lines, pick the size and colors, and watch your decal on the door. Questions? Email info@workdecals.com.