Commercial vehicles carry essential goods across the United States and to other countries. To operate these vehicles safely and efficiently, companies must follow all federal guidelines from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

One essential element of legally operating a commercial vehicle is a USDOT Number. This unique identifier allows federal agencies to track company vehicles and monitor safety performance. You must maintain an active USDOT Number to follow FMCSA guidelines.

Learn more about how to check the status of your DOT Number.

What Is a USDOT Number?

A United States Department of Transportation Number is an identifier for commercial vehicles. Many companies operate commercial vehicles to transport cargo, passengers, hazardous materials or other components.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues a unique number for individual companies. FMCSA officials use the USDOT Number to track and monitor vehicle performance. They can use the identifier to collect data for:

  • Audits
  • Compliance reviews
  • Crash inspections

Who Needs a USDOT Number?

The FMCSA requires USDOT Numbers for specific vehicle types to improve safety conditions on the road. According to the FMCSA, you must acquire a USDOT Number if your vehicle participates in interstate commerce between one or more states and meets one or more of these standards:

  • Transports hazardous materials: If your commercial vehicle carries hazardous materials that require a safety permit, you must obtain a USDOT Number.
  • Has a certain weight rating: You must have a USDOT Number to operate vehicles that have a gross combination weight rating or gross weight over 10,000 pounds.
  • Carries a certain number of passengers: Vehicles designed to carry eight or more passengers for compensation must use a USDOT Number. Similarly, vehicles carrying more than 15 passengers without compensation also need a USDOT identifier.

Additionally, some states require a USDOT Number for all interstate commercial vehicles, regardless of whether they meet the above qualifications. The 31 states are listed on the FMCSA’s website.

The FMCSA provides other resources to understand whether you need a USDOT Number. It’s essential to comply with FMCSA regulations, or you could face significant penalties.

How Do You Check the Status of Your DOT Number?

Your DOT Number must be active to meet FMCSA regulations. The FMCSA might deactivate your identification number for many reasons, including:

  • Unpaid taxes: Companies must keep up with several tax types while operating commercial vehicles. For instance, they must abide by the International Fuel Tax Agreement and pay the proper fuel taxes. If you miss payment deadlines, the FMCSA might deactivate your USDOT Number.
  • Lapse in insurance: Commercial vehicle operation requires active and eligible insurance. You might experience a lapse in insurance if you forget a payment, switch insurers or miss a renewal deadline. The FMCSA could notice this change and change your USDOT Number status.
  • Not filing biennial updates: The FMCSA requires commercial vehicles to update their information every two years in a biennial form. Missing the form deadline results in USDOT Number deactivation and significant fines.

By regularly checking your DOT Number status, you can ensure you comply with FMCSA guidelines and avoid penalties. You can use several methods to check DOT Number status:

1. Use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Website

The most straightforward way to check the status of a DOT Number is through the FMCSA’s website. You can search for your company using one of three credentials:

  • USDOT Number: You can enter your USDOT Number in the search bar to retrieve current information about your company.
  • MC or MX Number: You can also enter your FMCSA operating authority number, also called the MC or MX number.
  • Company name: If you cannot recall or access the other identification numbers, you can enter your company’s name.

After the system identifies your company, you can view current updates. The secure portal provides the following details about your company:

  • USDOT Number
  • Size
  • Authorized commodity type
  • Identification information
  • Safety records
  • Inspection history
  • Crash history
  • Number of drivers

The website reflects your USDOT Number status. If it’s expired, you can follow the necessary steps to reinstate it.

2. Contact the FMCSA Directly

If you encounter problems with the FMCSA website, another option is to contact them directly for assistance. You can submit a message to the FMCSA using their online form. You will need the following details:

  • Company name
  • USDOT Number
  • Company email
  • Company phone number

The FMCSA responds to your request through email. They can likely provide updates on your USDOT Number or suggest other strategies to access the portal.

You can also call the FMCSA directly at 877-688-2984 or find your local office number.

How Do You Reactivate Your DOT Number?

The FMCSA system will display a “Record Inactive” message if your DOT Number becomes inactive. If you receive this message, it’s important to reactivate the USDOT Number as soon as possible.

Your reactivation steps will depend on the reason your number was deactivated. The FMCSA website should provide details about your USDOT Number’s status. For instance, here are the reactivation steps for two common issues:

  • Incomplete MCS-150 form: A frequent reason for discontinuation is an incomplete biennial update process. If you completed the form incorrectly or failed to upload it, the FMCSA moves your USDOT Number to inactive. To reactivate it, you can access the MCS-150 form on the FMCSA’s website. Complete the form and submit it online, by mail or by fax. Follow all FMCSA instructions to ensure you fill out the form properly and avoid other penalties.
  • New entrant revocation: The FMCSA website might also revoke your USDOT Number if your company fails a new entrant safety audit. This reactivation process has separate instructions posted on the FMCSA’s website. You must enter additional information, including a corrective action plan that proves the measures you will take to meet compliance regulations in the future.

It’s best to start the reactivation process as soon as possible to avoid penalties and fines. The sooner you begin, the sooner your USDOT Number can be reinstated.

Contact Porter Freight Funding Today

Your USDOT Number is essential for safe commercial vehicle operation. By regularly inspecting your DOT Number status, you can ensure your information remains updated.

If you want to enhance your trucking company, explore Porter Freight Funding services today. We offer factoring solutions for all trucking company types. With over 100 years of combined trucking factoring experience, our team has the necessary expertise to improve freight operations, enhance cash flow and provide clients with ongoing resources.

Contact us today via contact form or by calling us at 205.397.0934 to learn more about how our services can benefit your organization.