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Running a trucking business in the United States requires hoops to jump through. These include obtaining USDOT Numbers, documentation, route check, and many more. The Department of Transportation mandates registration of USDOT Numbers for trucking companies to evaluate their safety practices. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues USDOT Numbers for trucking companies. They also regulate the transportation industry to reduce accidents and injury by monitoring commercial vehicles and trucking companies. These ensure safe, modern, and efficient transport systems in the United States. Are you wondering if you need to have a USDOT Number.? Read on as Global Multi services explain USDOT Number and their importance

WHAT IS USDOT NUMBER?

USDOT Number is a unique identifier issued to trucking companies by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after registering their vehicle with the Department of Transportation. It regulates the commercial driving industry to reduce accidents and injury. It also allows the collection and monitoring of trucking company safety information from safety audits, reviews of compliance, and investigations.

The USDOT ensures the United States has safe, modern, and efficient transport systems. Additionally, potential customers can use a USDOT Number to see if the trucking company they hire has registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. They can also check its safety information from the FMCSA website.

WHO NEED THE USDOT NUMBER

The USDOT number is mandatory for trucking companies transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce. It is also compulsory for trucking companies to transport hazardous materials across interstate and intrastate in quantities requiring a safety permit.

You also need a USDOT Number if you operate vehicles with the following:

  • GVWR, GCWR, GVW, or GCW with 10,000 lbs and above.
  • Transport more than eight people with the driver for compensation.
  • Transport more than 15 passengers with the driver without compensation.
  • Travel from one place to another within or outside a state (including outside the United States).
  • Travel from one place to another within a state through other states.

IMPORTANCE OF USDOT NUMBER

Doing a diligence check on the USDOT Number of commercial vehicles is essential to ensure safety and scam. The search provides you with information that will allow you to make informed decisions when choosing a trucking company to move your freight based on their past performance. Here is the importance of the USDOT Number.

COMPILE SAFETY RECORDS

The Federal Monitor Carrier Safety Administration has websites that provide easy access to valuable safety-related information on trucking companies. But you must have the Company name, USDOT Number and Motor Carrier to access it.

SHOW SAFTEY RATINGS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration uses safety ratings to indicate trucking company compliance. A blank safety rating often shows the company has a high crash history. The safety rating is grouped into the following:

  • Satisfactory: The record reveals no evidence of non-compliance with the safety requirements.
  • Conditional: The document displays the trucking company was out of compliance with one or more safety requirements.
  • Unsatisfactory: The records indicate evidence of non-compliance to safety requirements.

AVOID FRAUD

Checking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database protects you from hiring trucking companies operating without proper certification. The company profile on the website contains operating status like active or authorized for household goods. Therefore, trucking companies listed on the website as “Out of Service” or “Unauthorized for Household Goods” must be avoided. Also, USDOT Numbers that do not match their company profile are a red flag that indicates the company is not safe.

CONDUCT SAFETY AUDIT

The FMCSA certified auditor is responsible for conducting safety audits at the offices of the trucking companies or electronically by submitting relevant documents to FMCSA online or by mail. The Federal Monitor Carrier Safety Administration often informs trucking companies of the type of audit they want to carry out.

During the Safety Audit, trucking companies will provide the following:

  • Documentation that verifies they have established safety management controls.
  • Documents about drivers and vehicles.
  • General operating procedures.
  • Record-keeping requirements.

SHOW PREVIOUS CRASHES

The Federal Monitor Carrier Safety Administration website lists the crash history of trucking companies. The section has four columns:

Fatal: The number in the column shows fatal accidents experienced by trucking companies
Injury: The number in the column shows the company injuries obtained by trucking companies
Tow: The number in the column shows the towing history of the trucking companies
Total: The number in the column shows the total crash incurred by the company.

 

 

 

 

 


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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.

 


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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.