United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Number

Carriers Requiring a USDOT Number

The United States Department of Transportation requires carriers operating the following types of vehicles in interstate commerce to obtain a USDOT number.

Vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more.
Vehicles that are designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
Vehicles that are designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers, including the driver for compensation.
Vehicles that are used in transporting hazardous materials (49 U.S.C. 5103) in quantities requiring placarding (49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C).

Definition of Interstate Commerce

Interstate commerce means trade, traffic, or transportation in the United States:

Between a place in a State and a place outside of such State (including a place outside of the United States);
Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the United States; or
Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the State or the United States.

Contacts and Forms

For additional information, please contact either the United States Department of Transportation or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration online or at (804) 771-8585.

A downloadable version of the MCS-150 application for a USDOT number is available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.