What is the ‘DOT’???
Posted on May 10, 2007
Filed Under ASK ERIC, GENERAL
If you are somewhat new to operating heavy vehicles on the road, you may not be familiar with the alphabet soup of regulatory agencies who will be looking in on you.
The most common name for the regulatory body which enforces the safety regulations on trucks is ‘DOT’. Which is short for Department of Transportation. If you cross state lines with your vehicles, you are then the Federal DOT has jurisdiction over you, aka the United States DOT (USDOT). USDOT is a cabinet level department, just like the Department of Defense, and Department of Justice.
Within DOT there are a number of sub-agencies, such as the Federal Rail Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The FMCSA is the organization which enforces the safety regulations. Most people recognize them as “DOT”, but they are also known as “FMCSA”. So, if you get any type of correspondence from these organizations, you should pay attention to it.
_________________________________________
Eric Arnold is a Former Enforcement Agent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and a leading expert on USDOT compliance for small businesses. Do you have a question for Eric Arnold? Email him at eric@arnoldsafety.com.
Arnold Safety simplifies D.O.T. Compliance for commercial vehicle operators. Get Eric Arnold’s USDOT Compliance Guide, DVD, & Regulations at ArnoldSafety.Com.
Learn more about Arnold Safety compliance consulting services at ArnoldSafety.Com.
Comments
2 Responses to “What is the ‘DOT’???”
Leave a Reply
I have recently gotten my dot numbers applied on line to do so and as I went to dot.gov and clicked dot numbers it sent me to fmcsa web site. Not knowing what to do I then applied for a motor carrier licence clicked the nonrefundable 300.00 and went on with my day. I run a bottled water co. that only transports my water so I don’t think i need motor carrier numbers or anything to do with the motor carrier. My insurance co. says not to worry about that i made a mistake, but i keep getting calls and letters from the fmcsa about liability ins. and if i don’t comply i’ll get fined or something. I have my dot numbers and all that goes with it fire exinguisher, triangles, medical card i fill out a pre trip on all trips is that all i need to do and do I need a motor carriers deal also, my truck is an isuzu box truck gvw 14,500 please help and let me know what i need to do, thanks. my number is [Withheld] if you need to talk to me or just email is good
Your insurance company is partially right. They are right: you do not need a for-hire motor carrier license, as you only transport your own product. You need a motor carrier license (aka for-hire authority, aka an MC#), if you transport other peoples’ property for-hire. They are wrong: you do need to worry about it. DOT is going to keep hounding you, because you don’t have the proper insurance on file to haul for hire. So what, you say? Eventually they’ll suspend your MC#, and may even pay you a visit to see what’s up. You need to get with DOT and get that MC# shut off.