DOT marking identification - Ohio

Ohio has adopted 390.21 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), as effective on August 1, 2025.

Section 390.21 applies to vehicles operated by for-hire carriers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 pounds or more (whichever is greater).

Section 390.21 applies to vehicles operated by private carriers with a GCWR or GCW of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a GVWR or GVW of more than 10,000 pounds, or a single vehicle operated by a private carrier with a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or more.

Section 390.21 also applies to any size vehicle (for-hire or private) transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials.

Exceptions: All motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce must comply with the marking requirements in 390.21 except:

• The identification number issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) preceded by the letters PUCO may be displayed in lieu of a US DOT number.
• Private motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce are not required to display a US DOT number or PUCO number.