To haul goods or people, your vehicle needs to be correctly registered and compliant with all regulations required for operation on private and public roads.
Two common forms of registration are a United States Department of Transportation (DOT) number and a Motor Carrier (MC) number. A DOT number is granted by the United States Department of Transportation after you register a truck with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Many commercial vehicles require a DOT number, including any vehicle transporting hazardous materials, driving on interstate routes and any vehicle at least 10,001 pounds. You’ll also need a DOT number if you’re transporting at least nine people for compensation or at least 16 people for any reason.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an MC number, proving you’re authorized for trucking. You will need this number if you’re transporting cargo, people, or hazardous materials, though not all commercial trucks require an MC number. In general, for-hire operators working for compensation and most interstate transport companies will need an MC number.
What Is an Inactive DOT Number?
If you’re required to have a DOT number to run your business, you need to keep that number active. To do this, you need to get recertified by submitting an update to the FMCSA every two years. This ensures that anyone who looks up your number with the FMCSA can see you have a valid, active DOT number.
If you have an inactive DOT number, you are not authorized to transport goods and people. Continuing to operate with an inactive DOT number can result in hefty penalties of up to $1,000 per day, up to $100,000. You can also lose your license.
Reasons Why Your DOT Number Is Inactive
You need to update the FMSCA every two years to keep your DOT number active, even if your carrier operation hasn’t undergone any changes. One of the most common reasons DOT numbers become inactive is that companies fail to submit for recertification.
A DOT number can also become inactive if you:
- Failed a new entrant audit.
- Go out of business or stop road transportation and contact the FMSCA to report you no longer need a DOT number.
- Have failed a safety audit.
- Didn’t submit a new entry audit.
- Didn’t submit your safety audit.
- Don’t have valid trucking insurance, or your insurance has lapsed.
- Haven’t paid your International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) taxes.
Any of these reasons can cause your DOT number to be inactive. As soon as it does, you can no longer operate ground transport and you’ll need to take immediate steps to reactive your DOT number. If your MC number has become inactive, you will need to take additional steps to make that active, too.
Steps to Reactivate Your DOT Number
Now that you understand how important a valid DOT number is for your business, you may be wondering how to reactivate a dot number. Here are the steps you’ll want to take:
Check To See if Your DOT Number Is Actually Not Active
Before you reactive your DOT number, you need to verify its status. You can do this by going to the SAFER Company Snapshot web page. Next to your company name, you will see your DOT number status.
You can also check your DOT number status by using the FMCSA’s web form to send a query or by calling FMCSA at (800) 832-5660.
Gather the Information You Need to Reactivate
The information you need will depend on why your DOT number is inactive. For example, if you didn’t get a safety audit, you will need to get that audit completed and have paperwork to prove it. If you failed an audit, you’ll need documentation to show that any issues have been corrected. You will also need the following information:
- The legal name of your company
- Your MC number
- Billing address if you’re paying by credit card
- Your company phone number
Take the Steps to Reactive Your DOT Number
You will need to submit a new Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) to reactivate your DOT number. Make sure you use the latest version of the form from the DOT website and follow all instructions to file online, through the mail or by fax.
Form MCS-150 is only for reactivating an existing DOT number. If you’ve closed your business and have opened a new one or otherwise need a new DOT number, you will need to go through the Unified Registration System (URS) on the DOT site.
If you go to the SAFER Company Snapshot web page and your status is listed as “Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4); Biennial update of MCS-150 data not completed” there is a faster option to reactivate your DOT number. You can reactive on the DOT website using your PIN.
If your DOT number is inactive because of a New Entrant revocation, you will need to go through a separate Reapplication after Revocation process. This will involve submitting a correction plan, credit card account information and other details.
If your MC number and DOT number are inactive, you can reactivate your MC number by filing Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) and submitting your proof of insurance as well as an $80 fee to the FMCSA. You will need an active DOT number to have your MC number reactivated.
Regularly Check Your DOT Number Activation Status
Once you’ve reactivated your DOT number, make it a point to check your status regularly. This can help you spot a problem and fix it. In addition, make sure you seek recertification by sending an update to the FMCSA every two years. This will help you avoid one of the most common reasons for deactivation.
How Porter Freight Funding Can Help Your Company
Keeping your DOT and MC numbers active is just one of the important tasks you need to take care of. You also need to bring in new clients, keep providing excellent service and manage overhead.
Porter Freight Funding has been helping transportation industry businesses secure flexible funding solutions through freight factoring since 2011. Our solutions help you focus on deliveries and business. Even when it takes 30-60 days to collect payment for a delivery, we make sure you have capital now to take care of overhead and grow your business. To find out more, contact us or apply for freight factoring now.
