Who Is Exempt From a DOT Number?

Some commercial vehicles and transportation companies do not need a DOT (Department of Transportation) number. If you wonder who is exempt from a DOT number, the answer depends on several factors including:

• What or who you’re transporting
• Whether you function in the same state or cross state lines
• How much the vehicle weighs or how much the vehicle’s haul weighs

Knowing when you do and don’t need to have a DOT number keeps you compliant while driving, reducing violations of federal regulations and potentially thousands of dollars in fees.

What Is a DOT Number?

DOT numbers serve as a unique identifier for a specific truck’s history in audits, crash investigations, and other driving and safety history. Truckers or trucking companies can obtain DOT numbers for free from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Most commercial vehicles require a DOT number, though some don’t.

When are You Required to Have a DOT Number?

The most important reason a commercial vehicle needs a DOT number consists of performing interstate commerce or transportation across state lines. If you transport passengers, products, or hazardous material on the interstate, you have to register and maintain a DOT number. Other requirements for maintaining a DOT number include:

• Any commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating over 10,001 pounds
• Transporting eight or more passengers for compensation, including the driver
• Transporting 15 or more passengers without compensation, including the driver
• Transporting material classified as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. Section 5103

Most vehicles find themselves in trouble especially due to unknowingly transporting hazardous materials For example, a pickup truck carrying a 55-gallon drum of fertilizer can violate the hazardous material regulation.

When are You Not Required to Have a DOT Number?

So who is exempt from a DOT number? Exempt carriers usually perform passenger transportation services or move commodities that fall under the law’s exemption. 

Transportation services that don’t require a DOT number include:

• Camp vehicles used for recreational or educational activities
• Vehicles used at national parks or monuments
• School busses or vans
• Hotel Shuttles
• Taxi services

Vehicles transporting particular products or materials like the following don’t need DOT numbers so long as they don’t exceed weight limits or perform interstate travel:

• Powdered, crushed, or broken glass
• Agricultural plants or seeds
• Empty shipping containers
• Cooked or uncooked fish
• Livestock feed
• Wood chips
• Livestock

Why Should You Make Sure You Have a DOT Number?

Operating a commercial vehicle without a valid DOT number can cause drivers to incur high fees when pulled over for safety audits. In addition, an invalid DOT number can put your truck out of service. Save yourself the stress, money, and lost transportation time by ensuring that you have a valid DOT number for any and all commercial vehicles.

Stay DOT Compliant With FMCA Filings

If you wonder who is exempt from a DOT number, working with FMCA Filings can help you ensure that you stay compliant with FMCSA and DOT and avoid expensive fees. Contact us today to learn more about obtaining and retaining your DOT number.