['DOT marking identification']
['DOT marking identification']
08/29/2024
Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
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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 |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles 26,001 pounds or more. |
| Alaska | Adoption of 390.21 applies vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 14,001 pounds or more. |
| Arizona | Adoption of 390.21 applies vehicles with GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more (single or combination). |
| Arkansas | 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. |
| California | 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. |
| Colorado | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles:
Display of USDOT number must include “CO” suffix. |
| Connecticut | 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. |
| Delaware | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW or GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| District Of Columbia | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| Florida | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| Georgia | 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. |
| Hawaii | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| Idaho | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| Illinois | 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. |
| Indiana | Adoption of 390.21 applies to:
Display of USDOT number must include “IN” suffix. |
| Iowa | 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 “IA” suffix. |
| Kansas | Adoption of 390.21 applies to:
|
| Kentucky | 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. |
| Louisiana | 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. |
| Maine | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR, or registered gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| Maryland | 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. |
| Massachusetts | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| Michigan | Adoption of 390.21 applies to commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 pounds requiring a CDL. |
| Minnesota | The following carriers must display their name and US DOT number as required by 390.21:
|
| Mississippi | 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. |
| Missouri | 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. |
| Montana | 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. |
| Nebraska | 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. |
| Nevada | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| New Hampshire | 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. |
| New Jersey | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR, or registered weight of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| New Mexico | 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. |
| New York | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| North Carolina | 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. |
| North Dakota | 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 that transport loads that require a hazmat safety permit. Check with state for any changes in enforcement policy. |
| Ohio | Adoption of 390.21 applies to:
All motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce must comply with the marking requirements in 390.21 except:
|
| Oklahoma | 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. |
| Oregon | Adoption of 390.21 applies to:
|
| Pennsylvania | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 17,001 pounds or more. |
| Rhode Island | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| South Carolina | 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. |
| South Dakota | 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. |
| Tennessee | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. |
| Texas | 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. |
| Utah | Adoption of 390.21 applies to a vehicle with a:
|
| Vermont | 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. |
| Virginia | 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. |
| Washington | Adoption of 390.21 applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more. |
| West Virginia | Adoption of 390.21 applies to:
|
| Wisconsin | Adoption of 390.21 applies to vehicles with a GVW, GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. |
| Wyoming | 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 |
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Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.