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Commercial Motor Vehicle
Marking Standards

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NUMBER​
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Issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
You are required to obtain a USDOT number if you have a vehicle that:
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Is used to transport the types and quantities of hazardous materials requiring a safety permit in intrastate commerce (see 49 CFR 385.403).
OR
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Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
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Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
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Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation

OPERATING AUTHORITY NUMBER
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Issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
In general, companies that do the following are required to have interstate operating authority (MC number) in addition to a DOT number:
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Operating as for-hire carriers (for a fee or other compensation)
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Transporting passengers, or arranging for their transport, in interstate commerce
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Transporting federally regulated commodities or arranging for their transport, in interstate commerce​
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Required for all INTERstate commerce across state lines.

Vehicle Type and Required Markings
Commercial motor vehicle with three or more axles
USDOT number and Legal Name of Carrier
Truck tractor
USDOT number and Legal Name of Carrier
Road tractor
USDOT number and Legal Name of Carrier
Tow Truck
Name of owner or operator, motor carrier registration number, city of the place of business & telephone number (including area code) of business


Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Basic Requirements of markings
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Minimum Letter Height 2"
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Must be on both sides of CMV and legible from 50ft
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Color must be high contrast to background vehicle color
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Must have the carrier’s legal name or single trade name
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Must have identification number preceded by the letters "USDOT"