US DOT Numbers

You must now get a DOT number and display it on your mobile food unit if it has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 16,001 pounds or more, OR is a combination of your commercial motor vehicle including a towed (trailer) unit with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more and having a total GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more. DOT numbers are used to track citations for unsafe vehicles, traffic violations, and accidents. The data collected will be used to establish safety ratings that the Washington State Patrol will use to perform compliance reviews on businesses identified as higher risk. This will bring Washington state into compliance with Federal regulations.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of a commercial vehicle is: for a single vehicle, the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle. For a combination of vehicles, the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of the towing unit plus the GVWR of the towed unit or units.

How to find your vehicle's GVWR can be in several places: a label on the inside frame of the driver's door, in the engine compartment, in the vehicle owner's manual or sales brochure. For trailers, you may find a label towards the front of the trailer on the left side. If you can't find the GVWR, you can call the Washington State Patrol at 360.596.3810.

USDOT numbers are FREE. Here are the instructions on how to apply: (applying for a NEW USDOT number is now on-line only.) Start the application process here, scroll down “to get started click here.” Read the tips below!

Tips you need to know when applying:

  1. You will sign up as a private property carrier since you’re a food truck , and your cargo will be the Other field, and you can list cargo there (food).

  2. Write down and keep your: USER ID number, Password & Security Questions and answers as you will need this information for future use.

  3. Pay close attention to the differences of INTRASTATE and INTERSTATE as you go along.

  4. If you miss answering a question, or answer it incorrectly, the system will highlight it and it will NOT let you move forward until you answer it or correct it.

  5. For driver information, enter the number of drivers who operate on an average workday. Part-time, casual, term-leased, trip-leased, and company drivers should be included in the company’s total driver headcount. Enter the total number of drivers (regardless of employment status) the company uses in its operations and the total number of drivers that hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). 100-mile radius driver – Driver operates exclusively within a 100 air-mile radius of the normal work-reporting location. For example, the company has 2-drivers, 5 that operate in interstate commerce and 5 that operate in intrastate commerce. Of the 5 that are intrastate, 2 stay exclusively within the 100-mile radius of their work location and 3 go beyond the 100-mile radius. All of the 5 interstate drivers are operating beyond a 100-mile radius. Of the 10 drivers, 8 have their CDL.

  6. Carrier operation = “property”.

  7. For compensation of others = “NO”.

  8. Crossing state lines = “NO”.

  9. Mobile food units are the “straight” TYPE.

  10. How many drivers are INTERSTATE = “0”. How many INTRASTATE drivers includes “you”.

    INTERSTATE - this means you are crossing state-boundary lines.

    INTRASTATE- this means you travel within the state and do not cross state-boundary lines.

  11. When you hit “submit” you will get your new USDOT number assigned immediately. Write this down!

  12. If you receive any notifications that you need to pay a fee, this is a fraud.

You can download step-by-step instructions on how to apply here.

FMCSA has created a few instructional videos they can be found here:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/registration-video-library

BIENNIAL UPATE INFORMATION - (Reminders to update are NOT sent out, so keep track in your calendar.) After you receive your USDOT number, you will be required to do biennial updates to ensure that your information stays current. You must do a biennial update every two years, even if nothing has changed. Failure to do so could: affect your ability to register your vehicle with the Department of Licensing, make your USDOT number INACTIVE, put your USDOT number Out-Of-Service and affect your insurance.

The date your biennial update is due is based off the last two digits of your USDOT number. If the next-to-last digit of its USDOT Number is odd, the motor carrier shall file its update every odd-numbered calendar year. If the next-to-last digit of the USDOT Number is even, the motor carrier shall file its update every even-numbered calendar year. The last digit of the USDOT number represents the month to file in. Be sure to file your update in the month it is due. The system doesn’t always recognize updates that are done before the due date.

For example: If your USDOT number is 111123, your update would be due in March 2018, 2020, etc. If your USDOT number ends in 111158, your update would be in August 2019, 2021, etc. If the second to last number is 0, your updates are on even years. Even if you just got your USDOT, your biennial update could be due as soon as the following month. Be sure to follow the instructions on the Biennial Updates sheet to ensure your USDOT number stays active. If your USDOT number is marked inactive or your carrier information is outdated, it could affect you being able to register your vehicle with the Department of Licensing.

UPDATING YOUR REGISTRATION - Any time you change your: name, address, or other details in your profile. You need to update your USDOT profile and operating authority record with FMCSA in a timely manner. There is NO cost to update your USDOT number. If you forget your PIN number, you can request a reminder on-line. Follow the link here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/request-pin-number

To complete your Registration Update or Biennial Update: click on the link here, and read the overview information provided on the webpage. Scroll down to Under Routine USDOT Number Updates and click on the “via the FMCSA online registration system” link. Go to the “Existing Registration Updates” section, (the third section under the bold red lettering) click on the circle that has “I need to update my USDOT number registration information or file my biennial update (MCS-150). Click “Continue” at the bottom of the page. Read the information on the webpage and click on “File Electronically”. From this point forward, DO NOT click on any buttons with the word “Yes” on it! Use your name as the “Name of Company Official Authorized to Complete Forms”. Once you have verified your information, click on the “Modify” button even if there are no changes. Do NOT hit clear! You will see a confirmation screen saying your update has been accepted.

ANNUALLY CERTIFIED DOT MECHANIC INSPECTIONS - Every commercial vehicle, including each segment of a combination vehicle (tow plus trailer) requires a periodic inspection that must be performed at least once every 12 months or 25,000 miles .

REQUIRED VEHICLE MARKING - Per WAC 446-65-010, the Washington State Patrol requires you to mark your vehicle with the letters “USDOT” followed by your USDOT number. Look for decals, example here.

How to Mark Your Vehicles: more detail in doc here

1. The legal business name or single trade name operating the vehicle. This must match the information on the USDOT profile.

2. The letters “USDOT” followed by the USDOT number.

3. If someone else’s name appears on the truck, it would follow 1 and 2 and have the words “Operated by” in front of the name.

4. Other markings can be displayed if it doesn’t differ from what is listed above.

5. This information needs to be on the truck on the driver’s side and passenger’s side doors.

6. The letters/numbers need to be a contrasting color to the vehicle (i.e., black truck/white letters; white truck/black letters, etc.).

7. Must be readable during the day from a distance of at least 50- feet while the vehicle is standing still.

8. The letters/numbers must be kept in good, readable condition.

9. They can be painted on or vinyl letters used or on a magnet that can be removed as long as it meets the standards listed above.

WATCH OUT FOR FRAUD - Fraudulent and misleading marketing often happens to new applicants.

This agency DOES NOT:

• Contact Carriers by Telemarketers or "robo-call" automated telephone solicitations.

• Request credit card numbers by telephone.

• Charge a fee for downloadable forms found at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/forms

FMCSA is aware that motor carrier officials and new entrant applicants often receive confusing or misleading solicitations from service providers or third party administrators by telephone, e-mail, text and US Mail. These businesses obtain your company’s information when you submit an application or update your information with FMCSA, because your basic carrier information is publicly available.

NEED HELP - If you are having issues with the registration website, please call FMCSA’s Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660.

If you have problems getting your verification code and/or PIN number: contact the FMCSA Technical Support team at: (617) 494-3003 and select option 3 for Carrier Support or Email – FMCTechSup@dot.gov

If you need help or have questions of our State Patrol and any of the registration process, please call - Katarina Brandt, Transportation Planning Technician 2, Commercial Vehicle Division, Washington State Patrol, 360-596-3812 or email her at: Katarina.Brandt@wsp.wa.gov.

(PLEASE report any broken links, or edits that need to be made, here).