Are you looking forward to starting a company that involves the usage of vehicles for becoming a regular part in interstate commerce? If yes, then it’s important for you to know about US DOT numbers. FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is a US-based agency responsible for regulating the trucking industry in the country, and it’s essential for businesses to comply with its strict guidelines for ensuring their vehicles and drivers are operating safely.
Getting a New Jersey Dot Number has become a hassle-free chore. However, it’s essential for you to have an in-depth knowledge of USDOT numbers to be on the right track. Before you send out your employers to contractors on the road, it’s essential to equip them with the right registration information, i.e. USDOT number.
If you’re getting confused, read this article till the end to blow away all your worries.
What is a USDOT Number?
USDOT number is basically a unique identifying number given to companies that are engaged in interstate and intrastate carrier services. This number is granted to the companies by FMCSA that has imposed strict guidelines to make sure that the vehicles and drivers aren’t causing any trouble on the roads. US DOT number is used while conducting accident investigations, reviews, and official audits. It’s a necessity for businesses and the carriers of vehicles must carry this information alongside them while hauling heavy transportation within or outside the state.
When Do You Need to Obtain a USDOT Number?
Before jumping on to the process of obtaining a USDOT number, it’s essential for companies to know whether they really need it or not. In the applicable situations, you need to get a USDOT number for ensuring that your fleet is operating on the roads of the United States legally. In case you haven’t got it, you can land into legal issues.
You need to obtain a USDOT number in several conditions. If your vehicle is transporting hazardous materials, then it must get a USDOT number, as it’s a requirement for an intrastate commerce safety permit. The vehicles weighing above 10,000 pounds’ weight also need to get a USDOT number. Moreover, vehicles designed to transport more than 8 passengers for paid purposes need to get a DOT number as well. There’s also a requirement to get a USDOT number on the vehicles designed to transport more than 16 passengers not for compensation.
There are certain states that ask you to obtain a USDOT number, which include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and more.
Important Things to Know
You may come across several challenges in the procedure of obtaining a USDOT number. The companies getting registered for the first time to get a USDOT number will have to take help from online service providers to get things done immediately. Otherwise, the process might end up taking 20-45 days. Another important to know before you get a permit to conduct any interstate commerce is that a new entrant safety assurance program needs to be completed. Without completing this program, no company would be entitled to get a USDOT number. The completion of this program isn’t a piece of cake, as it requires strict safety audit and an initial 18-month monitoring period. If your vehicles manage to pass this program, then FMCSA will grant you the USDOT number. Nobody would desire to go through the stress or delays that could occur as a result of not obtaining a USDOT number.
Final Words
It’s essential for all companies involved in interstate commerce to obtain a USDOT number. You need to obtain it at any cost, as it’s essential for operating safe fleet that abides by the rules and regulations of the state. Also it’s mandatory to check whether the state you’re operating in requires USDOT number or not. If your state doesn’t fall in this bracket, you’ll be free to comply the imposed regulations. Whenever you need to haul goods within a state or to a different state, make sure to give the right registration information to your drivers to avoid any conflicts with the governing bodies.
