General CMV marking requirements

Scope

This regulation applies to motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) involved in interstate commerce.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 390.21T — Marking of self-propelled CMVs and intermodal equipment

Key definitions

• Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that meets any one of the following criteria:
  • Has 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; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), and not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity which requires placarding.

• Interchange: Providing intermodal equipment to a motor carrier according to an agreement for the purpose of transporting the equipment for loading or unloading by any person or repositioning the equipment for the benefit of the equipment provider.

• Intermodal equipment: Trailing equipment (usually container chassis) that is used in the intermodal transportation of intermodal cargo containers over public highways.

• Intermodal equipment provider (IEP): Any person that interchanges intermodal equipment with a motor carrier according to a written agreement or has contractual responsibility for the maintenance of the intermodal equipment.

Summary of requirements

Each self-propelled CMV must be marked with the following:

• The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the CMV, as listed on the Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) that is submitted with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); and
• The identification number issued to the motor carrier or IEP by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), preceded by “USDOT.”

Other identifying information may be displayed on the CMV as long as it is consistent with the required information listed above.

All required markings must:

• Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV;
• Contrast sharply in color with the background on which they are placed;
• Be readily legible in daylight from 50 feet away while the CMV is stationary; and
• Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility requirements listed above.

The marking may be painted on the CMV or may consist of a removeable device that meets the identification and legibility requirements listed above.

Driveaway services. In driveaway services, a removeable device may be affixed on both sides or at the rear of a single driven vehicle. In a combination driveaway operation, the device may be affixed on both sides of any one unit or the rear of the last unit.

The removeable device must display the legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier and the motor carrier’s USDOT number.

Intermodal equipment. Each unit of intermodal equipment interchanged or offered for interchange to a motor carrier by an IEP must be identified by:

• Its legal name or single trade name; and
• The FMCSA-issued identification number preceded by the letters “USDOT.”

The required markings/identification must:

• Appear on the curb side of the item of equipment, contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed, be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the CMV is stationary, and be kept and maintained in a manner that retains this legibility; or
• Appear on a label placed upon the curb side of the item of equipment, be readily visible and legible to an inspection official during daylight hours when the vehicle is stationary, contrast sharply in color with the background on which it is placed, contrast sharply in color with the background of the label, and be kept and maintained in a manner that retains this legibility; or
• Appear on the interchange agreement so that it is clearly identifiable to an inspection official and (the interchange agreement) include additional information to identify the specific item of intermodal equipment (such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and 4-character Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) and 6-digit unique identifying number); or
• Be shown on a document placed in a weathertight compartment affixed to the frame of the item of intermodal equipment, use colors in the document that must contrast sharply in color with the background of the document, and include additional information to identify the specific item of intermodal equipment (such as the VIN and 4-character SCAC code and 6-digit unique identifying number).

The USDOT number of the intermodal equipment provider must be maintained in a database that is available via the internet and telephone. The database must identify the name and USDOT number of the intermodal equipment provider responsible for the intermodal equipment in response to an inquiry that includes the SCAC plus trailing digits, license plate number and state of license, or VIN of the item of intermodal equipment. The database must offer read-only access for inquiries on individual items of intermodal equipment, without requiring advance user registration, a password, or a usage fee.