Application for a New USDOT Number
The first registration for any company operating commercial vehicles.
A USDOT number is the ID FMCSA uses to track your company's safety record, inspections, and compliance. It is the first number most trucking companies get, and almost every other filing, from MC authority to UCR, requires it.
Since 2026, new USDOT numbers are applied for in FMCSA's Motus system. Your company official verifies their identity once, and we prepare, review, and submit the rest of the application so it goes in right the first time.
Who Needs a USDOT Number?
You need a USDOT number if your company operates commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce and any of these apply:
- A vehicle, or vehicle and trailer, with a gross weight or weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- A vehicle designed to carry more than 8 passengers for pay, or more than 15 passengers not for pay
- You haul hazardous materials in amounts that require placards
Many states also require a USDOT number for carriers that only operate within the state. Texas carriers, for example, need a USDOT number before they can get a Texas TxDMV number.
USDOT Number vs. MC Number
The USDOT number identifies your company. MC operating authority is separate permission to haul regulated freight for pay across state lines. A private carrier hauling its own goods may only need a USDOT number. A for-hire carrier hauling other people's freight interstate needs both. If that is you, our new authority package covers the USDOT number, MC authority, BOC-3, and UCR together.
Why Getting It Right Matters
FMCSA now screens new applications more closely, and mismatched details are the most common reason for delays. Your legal name has to match your EIN letter exactly, your operation type and cargo have to match what you actually do, and the person applying has to be a company official who can pass identity verification.
Every new interstate carrier also enters FMCSA's new entrant program and gets a safety audit within the first 12 months. Accurate information on the application makes that audit simpler.
Before You Start
- Your business entity formed (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor) and its EIN letter
- Legal name and physical address exactly as they appear on your EIN letter
- Company official's name, email, and a phone that can receive texts
- Number and type of vehicles, including VINs if available
- Type of operation (for-hire or private, interstate or intrastate) and cargo you will haul
How the USDOT Application Works
- Tell us about your business in our short questionnaire.
- Your company official creates a Login.gov account and completes identity verification in Motus. We send step-by-step instructions.
- We prepare your application, run a second review, and submit it in Motus.
- You get your USDOT number and an email with your next steps, such as MC authority, BOC-3, and UCR.
What It Costs
FMCSA does not charge for a USDOT number. Our service fee is $199.
Ready to Get Started?
USDOT Number Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a USDOT number?
Once the identity check is done and the application is submitted, many numbers are issued quickly, but FMCSA can hold applications for extra review. We submit within one business day of having everything we need.
Is a USDOT number free?
Yes, FMCSA does not charge for it. You pay us for preparing, reviewing, and submitting the application.
Do I need an MC number too?
If you haul other people's freight for pay across state lines, yes. Our new authority package includes both.
Can you do the identity check for me?
No. FMCSA requires the company official to verify their own identity through Login.gov. We guide you through it and handle everything after.