November 13, 2008 - New Identification Requirements For Trucks Begin January 1

Contact: Lt. Charles Black, MSP Traffic Safety Division, (517) 336-6449

LANSING. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, commercial motor vehicles traveling in Michigan will be required to display a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number as part of the Interstate Motor Carrier Identification Program. Requiring USDOT numbers will help the Michigan State Police (MSP) Traffic Safety Division to monitor safety trends and will ensure all intrastate commercial motor vehicles comply with national safety requirements.

Obtaining and displaying a USDOT number is required for commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight over 10,000 pounds; vehicles used to transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring a placard; vehicles designed to transport 15 or more passengers; and vehicles used to transport eight or more passengers for hire.

The MSP began implementing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards that allow all commercial motor vehicles to obtain a USDOT number in March 2007, as part of a continued effort to reduce traffic crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. This new requirement was phased in over a two-year period to allow operators time to comply.

To obtain a free USDOT number, motor carrier companies must register with the FMCSA. The online application is available at www.safersys.org under the FMCSA Registration and Updates link.