Reactivate USDOT Number

Commercial trucking companies have to keep up with a lot of different compliance regulations, and one of the most important is the U.S. Department of Transportation number. Your USDOT number acts as your identifier and shows that your truck or fleet is in compliance with the Department of Transportation, which enables you to avoid hefty fines and other penalties.

If you have an inactive number, you need to reactivate your USDOT number as soon as possible so you can continue operating legally and safely. Fortunately, you can easily do so online with FMCA Filings.

What's Your USDOT Number?

Registered commercial transportation companies carrying certain types of cargo receive a DOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

For example, you'll need a USDOT number if you transport 15 non-paying passengers, more than eight paying passengers, or a certain amount of hazardous material. In addition, any fleet that transports passengers or carries cargo with a weight rating of at least 10,001 and crosses state lines needs a DOT number.

The actual USDOT number includes an eight-digit number that you put on the driver's side door and on your truck's cabin so that you and law enforcement can easily find it. This number essentially serves as your truck's identity when government officials conduct audits, inspections, and investigations for accidents.

Inactive Status Reasons

Having an active USDOT number impacts your ability to remain compliant with the FMCSA and avoid serious penalties, so what might lead to an inactive number? Your USDOT number could be inactive for several reasons, each of which requires quick, corrective action to restore compliance status.

You Didn't File the Right Paperwork on Time

Inactive USDOT numbers typically result from a lack of proper filing. You need to complete certain compliance paperwork every two years, and failure to do so could lead to an inactive identifier and up to $1,000 in fines per day. Also, if your carrier experiences any changes, you'll need to update your FMCSA paperwork as soon as possible, even if it's been less than two years since your last update.

Your Trucking Insurance Lapsed

The FMCSA requires trucking companies to have sufficient motor carrier insurance, so if yours lapses or is insufficient, it could deactivate your USDOT number. If you haven't received a USDOT number yet, the FMCSA won't award it to you until you have the proper insurance.

Insurance requirements depend on the type of cargo you plan to transport. For instance, you'll need at least $750,000 worth of liability coverage if your commercial vehicle carries hazardous goods. That number increases to $5,000,000 if you carry passengers as well.

Meanwhile, you only need $5,000 worth of cargo coverage for each vehicle carrying household goods, plus $10,000 per occurrence. You need to understand your insurance requirements to satisfy FMCSA legal requirements while protecting your operations.

Your Trucking Company Failed Its Safety Audit During the New Entrant Program

You could have a deactivated USDOT number if your trucking company fails its safety audit. The New Entrant Program requires every trucking company to undergo a thorough safety audit within its first year of operation, which covers various safety controls like driver qualifications, insurance, accident reporting, and more.

Fortunately, you will have a second chance to pass the audit. After a failed safety audit, you'll get a written report explaining why you failed. You can use this information to make the necessary corrections and submit the required Corrective Action Plan within 45 days.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in a deactivated USDOT number and up to $80,000 in fines, so you must pay close attention to deadlines and paperwork requirements when creating and submitting your Corrective Action Plan.

Why You Need To Reactivate a USDOT Number

The most important reason to reactivate your USDOT number concerns your ability to operate legally. However, satisfying FMCSA compliance standards is also essential for keeping your fleet safe. Part of the reason the FMCSA strictly enforces USDOT regulations is that they help ensure fleets and their drivers remain safe on the road while carrying different types of cargo.

If you have an inactive USDOT number, you need to reactivate it to continue operating legally and keep your truckers safe.

When Should You Reactivate Your USDOT Number?

You should reactivate your USDOT number as soon as you discover that it's inactive. Find out why the FMCSA deactivated your number in the first place, then take the necessary corrective actions. Once you fix the issue, you can start the process of reactivating your USDOT number.