What trucks need USDOT numbers and why

Companies that operate commercial vehicles for hauling cargo or transporting passengers in interstate commerce must obtain a registration number from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Trucking companies that carry hazardous materials requiring safety placards also must get USDOT numbers. Some states require commercial vehicles to have USDOT numbers, even if they only engage in intrastate commerce. USDOT numbers identify commercial vehicles during regulatory audits, compliance reviews, inspections, and crash investigations.

What Is a DOT Number?

A DOT number uses a string of eight digits to serve as a unique identifier for a commercial truck and the trucking company that operates it. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns DOT numbers to commercial trucking or bus companies. A trucking company will print its DOT number on every truck in its fleet, usually on the driver’s door on the truck cab.

What Is the DOT Number Used For?

A DOT number allows state and federal regulators to monitor commercial vehicle operators. Operators must renew their DOT number every two years, allowing the FMCSA to review a company’s compliance with federal commercial motor vehicle regulations. Regulators also use DOT numbers to track when a company’s vehicles get into accidents or have safety issues. The FMCSA may audit or inspect companies that have had an unusual amount of accidents and safety incidents. It may even cancel the company’s authorization to operate due to the number of accidents or incidents.

Does Georgia Require DOT Numbers?

Federal law requires any commercial vehicle operated across state lines or that carries hazardous cargo to have a DOT number. However, Georgia requires any vehicle that meets the federal definition of a commercial motor vehicle to obtain DOT numbers, even if operated solely within the state.

Commercial vehicles include any vehicle:

• With a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds
• Intended to transport hazardous materials
• Designed to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation
• Designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, not for compensation

What Is DOT Certification?

DOT certification refers to the authorization process that a commercial driver must undergo to operate a commercial vehicle. DOT certifications serve the same functions as the DOT number does for a trucking company. They allow state and federal regulators to monitor a truck driver’s compliance with regulations and ensure the driver’s fitness to operate a commercial vehicle.

The DOT certification process usually requires drivers to pass driving tests and undergo a physical exam to ensure the driver has no medical issues that may affect their ability to drive a commercial vehicle safely. Drivers must recertify every two years. Most states require drivers to obtain a DOT certification when applying for a commercial driver’s license or employment with a trucking company.

Who May Be Exempt from Needing a DOT Number?

Commercial vehicle operators may not need to obtain a DOT number under certain circumstances, including if:

• The company operates vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less and not transporting hazardous materials.
• The company operates solely within the borders of a state that does not require all commercial vehicles to obtain a DOT number.
• The operator transports goods or cargo for free or for their personal benefit.

A commercial vehicle operator that fails to meet these exemptions may face substantial fines if caught operating a commercial vehicle without a DOT number. If the operator has a valid number but fails to put it on their vehicle, a law enforcement or regulatory officer can either issue the operator a “fix-it” ticket to rectify the problem within a short period or put the vehicle out of service until they put it on the vehicle.

How Can a DOT Number Violation Affect a Truck Accident Case?

A DOT number violation can affect the outcome of a truck accident claim by giving a truck accident victim and their legal counsel a reason to suspect that the trucking company may have committed other regulatory violations that might have contributed to the accident. A trucking company that failed to obtain or renew a DOT number may have skirted other safety regulations, such as conducting required maintenance on their trucks or ensuring that their drivers have all required certifications.

However, a DOT number violation may make it harder for a truck accident attorney to investigate a potentially liable trucking company. State and federal regulators will have complete records about the operation of a trucking company with a valid DOT number, including accidents or safety incidents the trucking company may have had. But when a company doesn’t obtain a DOT number, renew it, or put it on vehicles, regulators may not have records about a trucking company’s prior accidents or safety incidents. A truck accident attorney may have a more challenging time trying to recover evidence of a trucking company’s problems that may help prove its negligence. Contact our Savannah truck accident lawyer today.

How Can a Lawyer Use a DOT Number in a Trucking Accident Claim?

As part of their investigation into a truck accident, a lawyer can use a DOT number to obtain critical information about a trucking company. A lawyer can use the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system to look up a trucking company by its DOT number or company name to confirm it has a valid DOT number. For example, a truck accident lawyer will confirm that the truck involved in the crash has a valid registration number. An outdated number may indicate that the truck driver or trucking company failed to follow other regulations. A lawyer can also use a truck’s DOT number to look up the vehicle’s history, including maintenance and repairs performed and whether the truck had prior accidents.

Contact a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by a truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence, get legal help immediately. You could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more – and an experienced attorney can help you demand it. Contact Spiva Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options with a Georgia truck accident lawyer.