How to Check a USDOT Number

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How to Check a USDOT Number

USDOT (The United States Department of Transportation) assigns a Commercial driver’s license or USDOT number to motor carriers that have vehicles classified under DOT regulations. The USDOT number is valid for five years and then must be renewed. There are several ways to determine if a company has a valid USDOT Number. If you wish to check whether a particular company has a USDOT number, you can go to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website and search for the company.

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Let’s know more about USDOT:

Why is it important?

The USDOT number is primarily used for legal reasons to make sure that motor carriers adhere to the safety regulations under the Federal Motor Carriers Act. It covers multiple other uses, but it primarily serves as a check on companies who own vehicles classified by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as commercial vehicles. The Act requires that these companies have a USDOT number and be renewed every five years.

How to check for the USDOT number?

There are multiple ways to check for a company’s USDOT number. One of the most convenient and simple ways is to use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website and search for the company. If they have a valid USDOT number, it will be listed under their name. Alternatively, you could also go to the Secretary of State’s website in your state and search for the company’s information there.

What to look for during a DOT number check

  • What kind of operations has the company been authorized to work on? Most importantly, it should say CARRIER.
  • The status of the company should be AUTHORIZED FOR HHG.
  • Company’s address and contact details
  • The USDOT number must be written underneath the company’s name.
  • USDOT number format is as follows: COMPANY NAME – 123456789012 DOT 1234567890 (the ‘D’ and ‘O’ represent the carriers concerning the type of license. There are several different types of licenses including passenger, private, hazardous materials)

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How do you check for fraud?

The USDOT number is important because it helps in checking if a carrier is operating within the regulations set by the Federal Motor Carriers Act. If you suspect that a company might be committing fraud or not adhering to regulations, you may contact your State’s Department of Transportation and ask them about the state of their USDOT number. If you want to know more about the Federal Motor Carriers Act, contact your State’s Department of Transportation or check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

How to check for crashes or accidents?

One of the most convenient ways to check for crashes or accidents is by checking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Just search for the company you are looking to check and see if they have ever been involved in a crash or an accident. If yes, there will be a link that shows all the crash and/or accident reports filed against this company.

Check for ratings on safety

Another way of checking for the safety standards maintained by a company is to check whether they have any ratings.

  • Satisfactory – When a company has five or fewer driver vehicle inspection reports within the past two years, they are given good ratings.
  • Unsatisfactory – When a company has seven or more driver vehicle inspection reports within the past two years, they are given unsatisfactory ratings.
  • Suspended: Any company with one or more imminent hazard out-of-service orders filed against them within the past two years will be given an unsatisfactory rating.

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What to do in case of an accident?

If you are involved in an accident with a company with a USDOT number, and if they did not obey the road rules (such as stopping at stop signs), you can file charges against them.

Check for insurance and complaints

One of the most important things to consider while looking for a company you wish to do business with is whether they have valid insurance. Although not required by law, it is considered best practice to be insured. If there are multiple complaints filed against a particular carrier, that might indicate that they are not adhering to regulations or are involved in unscrupulous practices.

Also Read: Moving Day Safety Tips to Avoid Injuries

Conclusion

Checking a USDOT number is an important step in ensuring that you are doing business with a reputable company. By checking for crashes or accidents, ratings on safety, and insurance status, you can make an informed decision about whether to do business with a particular carrier. If you have any suspicions about the legitimacy of a company’s USDOT number, you can contact your state’s Department of Transportation for more information.

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FAQ’s

How do you check for crash reports?

If you suspect that a company might be committing fraud or not adhering to regulations, you may contact your State’s Department of Transportation and ask them about the state of their USDOT number. If you want to know more about the Federal Motor Carriers Act, contact your State’s Department of Transportation or check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Where do you find a company’s USDOT number?

A company’s USDOT number can be found on its profile page. If the company is not registered with TMS, you can look for it on their home page, usually at the bottom.

How do you find out about imminent hazard orders?

One of the most convenient ways to check for crashes or accidents is by checking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Just search for the company you are looking to check and see if they have ever been involved in a crash or an accident. If yes, there will be a link that will show all the crash and/or accident reports filed against this company.

How do you check if a company has any ratings?

One of the most important things to consider while looking for a company you wish to do business with is whether they have valid insurance. Although not required by law, it is considered best practice to be insured. If there are multiple complaints filed against a particular carrier, that might indicate that they are not adhering to regulations or are involved in unscrupulous practices.

Why is a USDOT number important?

A company’s USDOT number can tell you a lot about them, such as how long they have been in service and what type of vehicles they can operate. If you wish to know more about the Federal Motor Carriers Act, contact your State’s Department of Transportation or check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

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What are the benefits of checking a USDOT number?

Checking a USDOT number is an important step in ensuring that you are doing business with a reputable company. By checking for crashes or accidents, ratings on safety, and insurance status, you can make an informed decision about whether to do business with a particular carrier.

Advantages of checking for USDOT numbers:

* Helps you know the company’s safety rating before signing a contract with them.

* Allows you to find carriers that are up to par with regulations and adhere to best practices. * Gives you information about how long a company has been operating, their type of permits, and what type of vehicles they are allowed to operate.

Also Read: How To Find If A Moving Company Is Reputable

Written by


Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.