Regulations for the Display of a USDOT Number | Location and Size Requirement

The US Department of Transportation requires carriers operating in interstate commerce to display their name and USDOT number on both sides of the power unit (cab or vehicle door) before putting them into service. The lettering must be bold and contrasting to the color of the surface the lettering is applied to. The minimum lettering height for USDOT compliance is 2". (Click here to order 2" USDOT lettering.). We recommend going as large as possible while remaining aesthetically pleasing to avoid any potential issues. 

To ensure USDOT compliance, you must...

• Display your USDOT issued number on both sides of the power unit. The vehicle door is the most common place to apply your vinyl graphics or magnetic signs. 
• Lettering must be bold and contrast the painted surface of the vehicle or power unit. 

Lettering height should be a minimum of 2" tall, which is the absolute minimum for the dot numbers to be visible from 50 feet away. 

Suggested products to make your truck or logistics vehicle USDOT compliant:

All you need in one, ready to go graphic! Free installation tool included. $32.00 ea.	Combine your company name and city origin with your compliance numbers. $22.50 ea.

To view additional information regarding marking of large trucks for USDOT compliance, visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/new-rule-marking-large-trucks-ease-identification-improve-safety

We have taken some of the headache out of searching for USDOT number display regulations by state. USDOT Regulations by state. Click on the state your company is located in or states you will be driving through to view state-specific US Department of Transportation regulations. 

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

To look up your company's USDOT number, please visit the following link. 
https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx

Need to apply for your KYU number?Visit https://drive.ky.gov/motor-carriers/Pages/KYU.aspx

For those that transport hazardous materials, please review the following for information regarding the display of hazmat placards. 
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/hazardous-materials-markings-labeling-and-placarding-guide-dot-chart