The Road To US DOT Compliance Lettering: Lettering a Vehicle for Hauling Freight or Business Use

There are a few steps that you need to follow to letter your vehicle before you can haul freight or use your vehicle to make money legally. Obviously, first and foremost, you will need to register your company with the US Department of Transportation. Assuming you have all the legal documentation, insurance, and licenses, usually the last thing you do is letter your vehicle to meet US DOT compliance and get on the road.

There are a variety of options to letter your vehicle and choosing between one of those is your first step. Choose between adhesive vinyl lettering, magnetic signs, or a easy to remove temporary EZ slap style sticker. If you own your  vehicle and only use it for personal use, we would suggest the adhesive vinyl decals. If you are renting your vehicle or use your vehicle  for personal and business use, we would suggest a magnetic sign. Lastly, if you only need to haul a few times a year for business use, our EZ Slap removable option would be perfect for you.

Now that you have selected the type of material for your US DOT numbers your next step will be to assemble all your information. Your lettering should include your business name, your US DOT number, any other relevant details such as a license number, motor carrier number (MC),  or vehicle identification number (VIN). If you have a company logo already created, you will want to use that for your company branding. If you do not, we have many premium templates with ready made logos available, or reach out to us to see if our graphic artists can help you turn your logo ideas into a printable file for you.

 Once you have gathered all your information and company logo, you will need to determine the size and placement for your lettering. The size and placement will depend on your vehicle. The easiest way to gather the size is to take a quick measurement of the area you would like to cover. When taking the measurement, be sure the area will be flat for an easier install. You will want  your lettering to be large enough to read from a distance. Since the lettering needs to be placed on both sides of the vehicle, be sure to measure both sides to get the most accurate fit. Additionally, the lettering should be placed on the power unit of the vehicle to meet US DOT compliance for lettering placement. It also has to be visible from at least 50 feet away.

To make sure that your lettering complies with any applicable regulations, such as those set by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations may specify the size and placement of the lettering, as well as the information that must be included and you can find the marking rules to date by clicking here.

 Overall, lettering your vehicle for hauling freight is an important step in promoting your business and ensuring compliance with regulations. By following these steps, you can create effective and compliant lettering that helps you stand out on the road. When you are ready, please reach out to us at dotnumberstore.com or call us at 812-936-7883 with any questions.