Starting a trucking business is a nice investment. It is complicated to start but profitable. The complication starts when you begin to ponder on the kind of vehicle to use for the business as well as getting your authority. This is where getting the DOT number comes into play.
The DOT number is a number given to any trucking company in the United States for the purpose of collecting and monitoring the company’s safety information, which is compiled during compliance checks, audits, inspections, and crash investigations.
As long as you operate a trucking business for commercial purposes, and the vehicle is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), you must have the DOT Number. Therefore, can I get a DOT number without a truck?
Yes, you can get a DOT number without a truck. You don’t need a physical truck to obtain a USDOT number.
Can I Get a DOT Number Without a Truck
In the United States, you can get a DOT (Department of Transportation) number without owning a truck if you meet the criteria for needing one.
However, there is a disadvantage to this. While you can easily obtain a DOT Number without a truck, you won’t be able to get authority until you get a truck.
This is because, for you to be able to activate your authority, you need correct insurance policies. The insurance is what makes the authority active. Therefore, when you don’t have a truck, you won’t be able to have insurance, meaning that you won’t gain authority to operate.
You need to have a truck to be able to obtain insurance. So if you don’t have the truck, there’s no way to get insurance which translates to no authority. Nonetheless, this is not a problem if you just wish to get a DOT number first while you negotiate to buy a truck.
When Can You Get a DOT Number Without Owning a Truck?
You can get a DOT number without owning a truck if you are:
1. Brokers and Freight Forwarders
If you’re operating as a freight broker or a freight forwarder, you’ll need a DOT number to arrange transportation for cargo.
These businesses typically don’t own or operate trucks but facilitate the movement of goods. Therefore, you can get a DOT number without actually owning a truck.
2. Motor Carrier Registration
Some companies provide trucking services by leasing or hiring trucks from others. They may not own the trucks themselves, but they’ll need a DOT number to operate those vehicles in interstate commerce.
Therefore, these truck drivers can obtain a DOT number without being the owner of the trucks or owning the trucks.
3. Leasing or Renting Commercial Vehicles
If you lease or rent commercial vehicles for business purposes and use them in interstate commerce, you may be required to obtain a DOT number.
4. Transporting Hazardous Materials
If you’re involved in the transportation of hazardous materials, even in small quantities, you’ll need a DOT number, regardless of whether you own the truck or are simply responsible for shipping the materials.
USDOT Number Requirements
Below are the requirements to apply for a DOT number:
- You will be asked to provide information regarding your business such as a business name, location, etc.
- Your personal details will be requested to enable FMCSA to contact you about your application.
- Since there are different operation classifications when a requesting DOT number, you will be asked to provide some details about the operation classification you are looking to obtain.
- A BOC-3 form is required
- They will require to know whether you will be transporting people or cargo.
- You will be required to obtain and provide an insurance policy for your business.
- You will be asked to provide your address.
Be that as it may, while providing your address, it is important to provide a valid address because the URS and USPS will double-check the address before you can be able to submit the application.
If you provide a PO box address, the application may not go through because a Po box is not your valid house address.
As soon as you are done with the application, the number will be given to you. If the number is not given to you, it could be that there’s a problem with your application. Don’t forget to print or save the number.
How to Get a DOT Number
To get a DOT number, you’ll need to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The application process typically involves providing information about your business, its operations, and the type of transportation services you offer. You can apply for a DOT number online through the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS).
It’s important to understand the specific regulations and requirements that apply to your situation, as non-compliance with DOT regulations can result in fines and penalties.
If you’re unsure whether you need a DOT number or how to obtain one, it’s advisable to consult with legal or regulatory authorities or seek legal counsel to ensure you’re in compliance with federal transportation laws.
States Where Getting a DOT Number is Compulsory
Below are the states where you must obtain a DOT Number if you wish to make use of trucks for commercial purposes.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New York
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
When Do You Need to Get a DOT Number?
You need to get a DOT number if you want to embark on any of these truck businesses:
Interstate Commerce
If you’re involved in transporting goods or passengers across state lines and your vehicle meets the federal criteria for commercial motor vehicles (e.g., a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, is used to transport more than 8 passengers for compensation, or is used to transport hazardous materials), you generally need a DOT number.
Intrastate Commerce (Varies by State)
While DOT numbers are primarily associated with interstate commerce, some states also require them for intrastate commerce, meaning transportation within a single state.
The specific requirements and thresholds for intrastate commerce vary by state. In some states, the rules might mirror federal requirements, while others have additional criteria.
Hazardous Materials Transportation
If you’re transporting hazardous materials, even within a single state, you are required to obtain a DOT number and adhere to specific safety and reporting regulations.
Brokers and Freight Forwarders
Individuals or companies involved in arranging transportation for others in interstate commerce, such as freight brokers and freight forwarders, are also required to get a DOT number, regardless of whether they own trucks.
It’s important to check with the FMCSA and your state’s transportation or motor vehicle authority to understand the specific regulations and requirements that apply to your situation.
Furthermore, the exact thresholds, fees, and requirements can change over time, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a DOT Number?
It costs $300 to get one operational classification of DOT number. Therefore, the number of operational classifications you wish to acquire will determine how much it will cost you in total.
Conclusion
Since having a truck is not a mandatory requirement to obtain a USDOT number, you can get a DOT number without a truck but will not be able to activate your authority if you wish to own a trucking company because you need a truck to obtain an insurance policy to activate your authority.
