USDOT Number /

The carrier Identification Number is a number used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to identify potential unsafe motor carriers when analyzing crash data. It is also essential for monitoring motor carrier’s safety records and other valuable information. CA Number is assigned to motor carriers by the United States Department of Transportation and a crucial element for motor carrier’s safety and compliance. Trucking companies operating interstate and transport passengers require permits, freights, and hazardous materials are mandatory to obtain a USDOT and register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to stay in compliance.

Registering for a USDOT can sometimes be a long and winding road especially, for newly emerging trucking companies. Fortunately, Global Multi Services is here to help navigate the paths to obtaining your Motor Carrier Identification Number.

Why you need to obtain USDOT Number?

Obtaining a USDOT Number can be daunting at first, but it is essential for commercial motor vehicles operating across state lines.

Here are the reasons to have a USDOT Number.

Ensures Safety and Compliance

 The USDOT compliance is a part of ensuring safety in the trucking industry.  Having a USDOT Number ensures the safety of motor carriers and drivers. It is for monitoring trucking company’s safety records, drug and alcohol testing, analyze crash investigations.  Also, it is for compliance reviews and many more. This help motor carriers stay in compliance, protect properties and lives, passenger, and other drivers safe while driving.

Part of Government Regulation

There is a chance you will need a USDOT Number if you are in the US trucking industry. Apart from the federal law, many states require motor carriers to have a USDOT Number. Therefore, you need to visit your state FMCSA website to know if it is required or not. Who then needs a USDOT? Motor carriers operating interstate and meet any of the following qualifications are mandatory to obtain a USDOT Number.

• Motor carriers operating interstate
• Motor Vehicles used to carry more than eight passengers for compensation.
• Motor vehicles used to carry more than sixteen passengers without compensation.
• Motor carriers with gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,000 lbs. and more.
• Motor carriers used for transporting materials labeled as hazardous by the Secretary of Transportation.

Indicates Your Business Registration

Having a USDOT Number indicates your registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You are also be trusted, dedicated to your business, and ensure safety at all costs. These will make other companies and drivers patronize your business. Remember, safety compliance and operations lead to reliability, effective, and last longing business.

When to obtain USDOT Number?

The USDOT Number is issued by registering through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. The registration is free but, you need proof of identity such as your credit card number to verify your application. You can file out a paper application and send the form through mail to the FMCSA office if you are not comfortable sharing your credit card details.

Everyone that has ever moved across the states or country knows it’s a lot to handle. From endless preparations to finally parking but most of the time we forget about the most important thing until it comes up. If you are planning to move from one state to another, you will probably need the help of a trucking company. That means you need to find a reliable and trustworthy trucking company like Global Multi Services. When you have a lot to do, the last thing you want to worry about is a trucking company running away with your properties or goods. But these often happen and might happen to you unless you are careful. One of the best ways to make sure the trucking company you hire is trustworthy and dependable is by checking their USDOT Number online.

What is USDOT Number?

The USDOT Number is a number assigned to vehicles by The United States Department of Transportation and is used to identify trucking companies. Each DOT Registration Number is unique to a specific trucking company and every company that operates in interstate commerce or transport hazardous material is required to obtain the DOT Number for compliance with the state and federal regulation. Every trucking company is required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and you can find the trucking company’s  DOT Number on the FMCSA website.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses the DOT Number for tracking the company’s performance, compliance review, safety information, crash investigation,  and also protect consumers from bad trucking companies. Therefore, you should never hire a trucking company with no USDOT Number to move your properties or goods across state lines. Because the number is mandatory for all commercial transportation between states and any commercial interstate trucking company without a USDOT Number is operating illegally.

USDOT Number Challenges

Obtaining your DOT Number is very important if you want to operate a safe fleet that complies with state and federal rules and regulations. But the process is often challenging and time-consuming. This is why you need an experienced and professional company like Global Multi Services. We will help you do all the paperwork and you will be granted your DOT Registration Number with no extra stress or delay. Here are some challenges associated with the procedure.

Time Frame

When registering for the first time for a USDOT Number, it is important to use the United Registration System on The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website for immediate verification. You can also complete your registration by mail or tax but it often takes between 20-45days to get your USDOT Registration Number.

Problem With New USDOT Number

According to a news release on The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website, the department has begun to grant 8-digit MC numbers instead of the usual 6-digit number. This can create a problem as many state regulatory websites have not shifted to these new digits. If you are using a 6-digit USDOT Number. It may take time before your vehicles are granted interstate registration.

New Entrant Safety Assurance Program

After a trucking company gets a USDOT Number, they must complete the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program. This program includes an initial 18-month monitoring period and a safety audit.

Importance Of Checking The USDOT Number

Checking a trucking company USDOT Number is an important part of doing your research before hiring the company. Your USDOT search will provide you all the information you need about the trucking company. This will allow you to make an informed decision on whether you will use the company or not base on their past performance.

Measures aimed at safely and effectively continuing the flow of vital medical supplies throughout the nation. Additional steps have been taken by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to make more truck drivers eligible to haul critical supplies during the Coronavirus outbreak, including the extension of hours-of-service (HOS) exemptions. The suspension of licensing enforcement in limited circumstances.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced on March 13 that it was granting an exemption to commercial drivers from Sections 390-399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which control hours of service, parts, and accessories necessary for safe operation and longer combination vehicles.

FMCSA also reminded the operators that the driver must be allowed at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time before a driver is obliged to return to the engine carrier terminal or the normal reporting location after a return drive to the terminal or at some point notifies the fleet management that they need immediate resting.

On 24 March, the agency announced that such expired commercial driver licenses (CDLs), trade student licenses (CLPs), and medical certificates would not be enforced until 30 June. FMCSA said this was a step forward since several offices in the State Department of Motor Vehicles were closed and workers were told to remain at home.

The continued operation of transport and supply networks and our nation’s security and economic stability is vital to ensure that drivers are available to operate commercial motor vehicles in the course of a national emergency report,’ said FMCSA.

If the driver is otherwise qualified to drive under federal regulations, similarly, without a current medical certificate, a driver can only drive without proof of valid medical certification on and after February 29, 2020.

Earlier, the US Trucking Associations and the National Retail Federation urged Trump to take these and other measures to eliminate supply chain blockages generated by initiatives taken by federal, state, and local governments to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Conclusion:

FMCSA has taken an important step to let drivers. Some of the carriers like us Global Multi Services know how to address things like expired commercial driver’s licenses or medical cards. We at Global Multi Services helps to keep the drivers moving critical goods safely and with state governments moving to remote works and shuttle offices, the guidance today is a step towards ensuring they move.