Vehicle marking/Identification - Pennsylvania

Intrastate

Pennsylvania has adopted Sec. 390.21 of the Federal Regulations for intrastate operations.

Applicability

The PennDOT adoption of Sec. 390.21 applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles used on a highway in intrastate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 17,001 pounds or more (whichever is greater) or transporting hazardous materials which are required to be placarded.

PUC regulated

Intrastate vehicles required to obtain intrastate operating authority from the Public Utility Commission are subject to the following vehicle identification requirements.

Every for-hire common or contract motor vehicle must be marked on each side, in letters at least 2 inches high, and at least ¹/₂-inch wide,the name and address of the motor carrier and the number of the certificate of public convenience or permit as follows: “PA. P.U.C. NO. A__ . ”

If the certificate of a common carrier or permit of a contract carrier is canceled or revoked by the Public Utility Commission or when a motor vehicle is permanently removed from service, the carrier must immediately remove the certificate or permit number from the vehicle.

If the vehicle is owned by someone other than the motor carrier operating it, both sides of the vehicle must display, in letters at least 2 inches high and at least ¹/₂-inch wide the wording: “OPERATED BY (name and address of authorized motor carrier), PA. P.U.C. NO. A___.”

If a removable device is used to identify the operating carrier as lessee, the device must be of durable material and securely affixed to the vehicle operated throughout the duration of the lease. Upon relinquishing possession of the equipment, the motor carrier operating the leased vehicle under this section must remove the legend or removable device displayed on the vehicle showing it to be the operating carrier.

Interstate

All commercial motor carriers (for-hire and private) operating interstate are subject to the marking requirements of 49 CFR 390.21 which requires all CMVs to display, on both sides of the power unit, the US DOT number and the legal name of the business entity that owns or controls the motor carrier operation, or the “doing business as” (DBA) name, as it appears on the Form MCS-150.

Any new or used commercial vehicles added to a motor carrier’s fleet must be identified with the US DOT number and single trade name before being put into service.

The regulations do not require the city, state, or MC number to be displayed on the vehicle.