Dot #

Kingsway2013 · Sep 2, 2013

I obtained my MC# back in July. I had planned to only run a cargo van. I have decided to add an 18 foot box truck to my operation so I need a DOT#. I went to the FMSCA website and cannot find anywhere to obtain JUST a dot#. The register online section is for operating authority as well, which I don't need. How do I obtain just a DOT #?

Murraycroexp · Sep 2, 2013

Can't until you're adding + trucks. We tried also. We have one but its only tied to our broker authority and commonly referred to as a "dummy" number.

Of course, me being from Alabama originally I took offense to that statement. LOL!!

Kingsway2013 · Sep 2, 2013

We are adding a truck. We currently have a cargo van and are adding a box truck.

sewmun · Sep 2, 2013

Keep looking it's there cuz that's how I got my #

crich · Sep 3, 2013

maybe I am wrong it happens but If they issue a mc number don't they also give you the dot# at the same time? the dot# is free the MC is what cost $300. check out safersys.org put in your MC and see if they already gave you the dot when you registered.

Murraycroexp · Sep 3, 2013

Different apps now. Assignment of DOT # not automatic. And no DOT # issued unless you are (or have) "trucks" listed. These trucks, of course, are straights and semis. Not vans. The Feds don't have any interest in vans unless they cause some sort of calamity.

WE WANTED a DOT # on our carrier side attached to out carrier MC. I even made 3 phone calls at 3 different times over 3 weeks. I was refused all 3 times for the above listed reason.

crich · Sep 3, 2013

Murraycroexp said:
Different apps now. Assignment of DOT # not automatic. And no DOT # issued unless you are (or have) "trucks" listed. These trucks, of course, are straights and semis. Not vans. The Feds don't have any interest in vans unless they cause some sort of calamity.

WE WANTED a DOT # on our carrier side attached to out carrier MC. I even made 3 phone calls at 3 different times over 3 weeks. I was refused all 3 times for the above listed reason.

So nowadays you can get an MC# as a carrier without trucks over 10,000 but no dot# at all. So I guess if a guy had nothing but vans he could buy a small motorcycle trailer to pull behind his van and that would give him a combined gvwr over 10k thus the issuance of both dot and MC correct or not? just give the trailer a number and never use it if nothing else. But what is the big deal about having a dot# anyway?

Murraycroexp · Sep 3, 2013

Not sure about under combo units. But not having a carrier DOT# has not hurt us at all. We've run into a few dispatchers we had to explain it to but it didn't cost us the loads.

pwrwagn · Sep 3, 2013

I, too, got my MC#, but no DOT number, since I have no vehicles over 10K at present.

I remember seeing a way to get a DOT number after you have your MC, but I can't for the life of me remember it.

Murraycroexp · Sep 3, 2013

I can't remember it either. I only remember the "nope" conversations twice.

ATeam · Sep 4, 2013

I do not know the details but things have changed both with the issuance of DOT numbers and with the process of registering to become a motor carrier.