DOT number
A unique identifier the U.S. FMCSA assigns to a commercial motor carrier; it's the primary key for tracking a carrier's safety, registration and inspection record.
A USDOT (Department of Transportation) number is a unique identifier issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to companies operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce, and in many states for intrastate operation.
It follows a carrier for life and is the key that ties together its census record, operating authority, insurance filings, inspections and crash history. On Fraktix, every US carrier profile is keyed on its DOT number.
Related terms
MC number
An FMCSA 'motor carrier' operating-authority number that shows a carrier is authorized to haul regulated freight for hire across state lines.
Operating authority
FMCSA permission that defines what kind of freight or passengers a carrier may transport for hire — common, contract or broker authority.
MCS-150
The FMCSA registration/update form on which a carrier reports its fleet size, mileage, cargo and contact details; the source of much US census data.