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The vehicle marking and identification requirements are located in §390.21 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The vehicle marking must show:
- The legal name or single trade name of the company operating the vehicle; and
- The motor carrier identification number, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), preceded by the letters "US DOT."
The marking must be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet and the letters must contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
Though most states adopt the marking and identification requirements §390.21 for intrastate operations, there can be variances. Also, as well as the requirements listed in the chart, many states have additional criteria for certain types of operations. Consult the State Specific Information for additional details.
The following lists each state’s adoption of the vehicle marking and identification requirements in §390.21 and the applicability for property-carrying commercial motor vehicles operating in intrastate commerce. Unless otherwise noted, these requirements also apply to drivers of any size or type of vehicle hauling a placardable amount of hazardous materials.
State Comparison
State
Identification/Marking Requirements for Intrastate Commercial Motor Vehicles
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 14,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies vehicles with GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more (single or combination).
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001.
Note: Though Arkansas has adopted §390.21, the state is not currently enforcing this regulation. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
For-hire and private motor carriers must obtain a USDOT number. The USDOT number is required to obtain a California Identification (CA) number, issued by the California Highway Patrol.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles:
- Bearing an apportioned plate;
- Having a manufacturer’s GVWR or GCR of at least 16,001 pounds; or
- Considered to be a tow vehicle/wrecker.
Display of USDOT number must include "CO" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GCW, GVWR, or GCWR of 18,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "CT" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW or GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Display of USDOT number must include "FL" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "GA" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 only applies to carriers transporting loads that require a hazmat safety permit.
Illinois has not adopted §390.21 for any other intrastate operations.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to:
- For-hire carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more; and
- Private carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "IN" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
- For-hire carriers must mark the power unit with the motor carrier’s name and USDOT number.
- Private carriers are not required to obtain a USDOT number.
Display of USDOT number must include "IA" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to:
- For-hire carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more; and
- Private carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "KY" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Note: Though Louisiana has adopted §390.21, the state is not currently enforcing this regulation for Louisiana-registered, intrastate-only motor carriers. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR, or registered gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more.
Trucks and truck tractors registered over 10,000 pounds must display the company or trade name along with a U.S. DOT number, a Maryland issued DOT number, or the number issued by a Maryland agency on both sides of the vehicle.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 pounds requiring a CDL.
The following carriers must display their name and US DOT number as required by §390.21:
- For-hire motor vehicles, regardless of weight; and
- Intrastate private and exempt vehicles operating vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Note: Though §390.21 has been adopted, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety does not require a carrier to obtain or display a USDOT number. Check with state for any changes in enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Display of the USDOT number must include "MO" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of the USDOT number must include "MT" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "NE" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Note: Though New Hampshire has adopted §390.21, display of a USDOT number is not required. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
An intrastate motor carrier must display legal name or single trade name on power unit.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR, or registered weight of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Must display New Mexico issued US DOT (Safety Identification) number displayed with suffix "NM" and legal company name.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "NC" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Note: Though §390.21 has been adopted, the North Dakota Highway Patrol only enforces the requirement for motor carriers and vehicles hat transport certain types of hazardous materials. Check with state for any changes in enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to:
- For-hire carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more; and
- Private carriers operating vehicles with a GCWR or GCW of 26,001 pounds or more, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a GVWR or GVW of more than 10,000 pounds, or a single vehicle with a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or more.
All motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce must comply with the marking requirements in Sec. 390.21 except:
- The identification number issued by PUCO preceded by the letters PUCO may be displayed in lieu of a USDOT number.
- Private motor carriers are not required to display a US DOT number or PUCO number.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR, GCWR, GVW, or GCW of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "OK" suffix
Adoption of §390.21 applies to:
- For-hire carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more; and
- Private carriers operating vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 17,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include "SC" suffix.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles and combinations of vehicles with 3 or more axles, or a GVWR of 26,001 or more.
Note: Though South Dakota has adopted §390.21, the state is not currently enforcing this regulation. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles with an actual gross weight or gross weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to a vehicle with a:
- GVWR, GVW, GCWR, or GCW of 26,001 or more pounds if the vehicle is operated by an individual 18-years old or older; or
- GVWR or GCWR of 16,001 or more pounds if the vehicle is operated by an individual under 18-years old.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Note: Though Vermont has adopted §390.21, the state is not currently enforcing this regulation. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR over 26,000 pounds.
Note: Though Virginia has adopted §390.21, the state is not currently enforcing this regulation for intrastate-only carriers. Check with the state regarding any changes in this enforcement policy.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to:
- All for-hire vehicles; and
- Vehicles with a GVR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
Adoption of §390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
Display of USDOT number must include “WY” suffix