How to Reactivate a DOT Number

When you’re in charge of or own a commercial trucking company, you grasp the significance of CDLs. Nevertheless, there are additional certifications required. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that all fleets possess a Department of Transportation (DOT) number to demonstrate the capability of maintaining dependable operations, both by you and your staff. Getting DOT number for your truck is very important.

At times, this number can become inactive, halting your ability to legally and securely transport goods and passengers. Understanding the implications and the reactivation process is vital to restoring your DOT number to good standing.

What Constitutes an Inactive DOT Number?

The FMCSA assigns DOT numbers to registered commercial transport companies involved in moving goods and passengers. The assignment is based on your business and the type of cargo you intend to carry. DOT numbers are designated for those transporting specific types and quantities of hazardous materials. Additionally, vehicles required to have DOT numbers include those transporting more than eight paying passengers or 15 non-paying passengers.

All commercial fleets engaged in interstate commerce, responsible for transporting passengers or carrying cargo with a weight rating exceeding 10,001 pounds, must obtain a DOT number. Many states also mandate DOT numbers for intrastate commerce. These numbers are typically displayed on the truck cabin and driver’s side door for easy identification.

These eight-digit identifiers are used by government officials during audits, reviews, inspections, and accident investigations to assess safety information. The FMCSA established them as a measure to reduce the occurrence of serious road incidents caused by inadequately trained drivers. Companies failing to adhere to federal and state regulations often face substantial fines and penalties. Violating regulations may also lead to the FMCSA deactivating your DOT number, thereby revoking your legal authority to transport goods and people.

Reasons for Inactive DOT Numbers

Several reasons can cause your DOT number to become inactive, such as failure to undergo a new entry audit or failure to pay International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) taxes. Other circumstances can also lead to your DOT number becoming inactive.

Failure to File Biennial Paperwork

One of the most common reasons for DOT numbers being rendered inactive is the failure to complete biennial paperwork. Neglecting to submit an update before the deadline will deactivate your DOT number and result in fines of up to $1,000 per day. The FMCSA mandates motor carriers to update their business information every two years or sooner if changes occur.

The MCS-150 form is the primary form that companies must complete. The second-to-last digit of your DOT number determines whether you need to file in an even or odd year, while the last digit denotes the submission month. This form gathers information such as your fleet’s mileage, the number of vehicles, and whether you transport passengers or hazardous materials. Accuracy and timeliness in filing are crucial as this information is used to generate safety performance scores.

Lapse in Trucking Insurance

All trucking companies must have motor carrier insurance on file with the FMCSA to operate legally. The FMCSA won’t issue your company a DOT number without insurance and will deactivate your number if you fail to maintain insurance payments. The type of insurance required by the FMCSA depends on the cargo you haul.

Motor carriers transporting hazardous materials should have a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage for cargo, which increases to $5,000,000 for hazardous materials and passengers. Conversely, household goods trucking companies require $5,000 in cargo coverage per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. Ensuring you have the appropriate insurance policy is crucial for maintaining your DOT number’s active status.

Failed Safety Audit

Within the initial 12 months of operation, all trucking companies undergo a safety audit as part of the new entrant program. These audits evaluate various safety controls, including driver qualifications, hours of service records, vehicle maintenance procedures, vehicle inspection history, driver medical information, alcohol and controlled substance testing programs, accident reporting, and insurance.

If you fail your safety audit, you’ll receive a written explanation detailing why you didn’t pass and what corrective actions are necessary. You’ll have 45 days to develop and submit a corrective action plan (CAP). Failure to meet the deadline or failure to formulate a CAP will result in the FMCSA revoking your registration and marking your DOT number as out of service. Depending on the violation, fines ranging from $250 to nearly $80,000 may be imposed.

Gather the Correct Information

The information required to reinstate your DOT number will depend on the reasons for its deactivation. Checking your status using SAFER will provide you with a classification, typically either “Record Inactive” or “Inactive USDOT Number per 49 CFR 390.19(b)(4).” These conditions necessitate the resubmission of your MCS-150 form or an MCS-150B if you transport hazardous materials.

Different situations require the submission of different forms and adherence to various procedures. For instance, if you’re reinstating your DOT number after having your new entrant application revoked, the course of action will differ from that for failing to update your biennial information. The FMCSA regularly updates its forms and provides all necessary documentation on its website.

Regardless of the forms required, you’ll typically need the following information:

• Motor Carrier number
• Legal name of the carrier
• Billing address when using a credit card
• Phone number
• Signature
• Email
• Check or money order with the person’s or company’s name

Reactivate Your Number

Once you’ve confirmed your inactive DOT number and gathered all necessary information, you can initiate the formal reactivation process. The first step is to rectify the issue or violation. Whether you failed to update your biennial information or lacked proper maintenance procedures, rectify these problems first.

With that completed, fill out the designated forms and submit them to the FMCSA. They prefer online submissions via their web form or fax machine, but they also accept hard-copy registrations via mail. If you require assistance during the process, you can collaborate with a DOT professional to ensure you’re following the correct procedure.

Stay up to Date With Your DOT Number Status

Your DOT number plays a crucial role in your daily operations. Whether you haul hazardous materials or not, complying with FMCSA regulations ensures you and your employees are safe and secure while transporting goods across state lines. Part of following their restrictions entails regularly checking in with your DOT number status to ensure you’re ready to tackle any job that comes your way.

By exploring our informative articles and resources, you can stay up-to-date with all things trucking and fleet management through the USA. We can also assist your company in remaining compliant with regulations via our Trucking Authority and Permits Services.