Can I Get a DOT Number Without a Truck?
Can I Get a DOT Number Without a Truck?
While it’s possible to get a DOT number without a truck, the paperwork can be tricky. Fortunately, DAT can help.
Ready to run independent? Let our DAT Copilot™ Authority Program experts guide you through the paperwork and get your trucking business started fast. We’ll help you get your DOT and MC number—even if you don’t have a truck yet.
- Get your DOT number application right the first time
- Start your business without the hassle
- Ensure you’re always up to date with state and federal regulations
Get your DOT number application right the first time
The experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program will help you fill out your DOT number application from start to finish.
You may not need a truck to get a DOT number, but you do need to fill out a lot of paperwork to complete your application correctly. The DAT Copilot™ Authority Program is here to make your life easier by helping you fill out the application correctly the first time around, so you can get your number as soon as possible. That way you’ll be ready to get full authority when you get your vehicle.
Start your business without the hassle
Get your DOT and MC numbers as painlessly as possible with help from the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program.
Starting a trucking business is a complicated process. From deciding what kind of vehicle you want to drive to getting your authority, there’s a lot to navigate. Even before you get your truck, the experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program can make the process easier by taking care of the paperwork necessary to get your DOT and MC numbers.
Ensure you’re always up to date with state and federal regulations
Running a trucking business means keeping up with ever-changing regulations. The DAT Copilot™ Authority Program can help.
The experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program always have their fingers on the pulse of changing state, federal, and industry regulations, alerting you to any changes that mean new paperwork or changes to the way you do your business. From air emissions quality to weight standards, we stay up to date on changes so you don’t have to.
"Some say it's simple to get your authority, and that you should save your money and do it yourself. Other people, including myself, are not sure where to even begin. I used a service provided by DAT to get my authority. It was important to me that it was done right the first time, by people who have done this before."
- Chad Boblett - Boblett Brothers Trucking
"They took me by the hand an led me through all of the difficult and confusing steps to ensure that I started off on the right foot. I cannot say it any clearer than these folks know what it's all about."
- Gregg Knight, LTL Trucking
A USDOT number, or DOT number for short, is a unique identifier for any trucking company in the United States. Any company that operates commercial vehicles to transport either cargo or people needs to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must have a DOT number. That number is then used to collect and monitor the company’s safety information, which is compiled during compliance checks, audits, inspections, and crash investigations.
Before you ask “Can I get a DOT number without a truck,” it’s a good idea to determine if you need a DOT number in the first place.
The FMCSA has a handy tool to help you determine if you need a DOT number. However, a good rule of thumb is that if you plan to transport cargo across state lines (even if your departure and destination are in the same state and you only leave the state briefly in the middle), you need a DOT number. Additionally, if you transport hazardous materials or if you have a gross vehicle weight of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, you will definitely need a DOT number.
While you can fill out the paperwork to get a DOT number on your own, the best way to get the number is by working with the experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program. With decades of experience helping trucking businesses of all shapes and sizes get off the ground, we have the expertise needed to make getting a DOT number – and all the other elements of your operating authority – a piece of cake. We’ll help you submit your paperwork online so you can get your number within 24 hours and start focusing on building the rest of your trucking business.
Yes, you can! You don’t need to have any proof of a physical vehicle to file for and activate your USDOT number. The number will become active as soon as you successfully apply for it with no waiting period to deal with. That makes it a great first step that you can take care of early if you know you want to start a trucking business, but you’re still evaluating options when it comes to your specific vehicle.
Yes, just like with your DOT number, you can get a MC number without a truck. All you have to do is submit your paperwork to get the number. However, unlike with a DOT number, you won’t get your MC number immediately. FMCSA requires that each MC number goes through a 21-day protest period before it gets activated. At the end of that period, you can get the number, but you won’t be able to get your authority yet since that requires having insurance, which requires having a vehicle to insure.
While you can get your DOT and MC numbers without having a truck, you do need to have a truck to get your own authority. That’s because you need to have BOC-3 process agents as well as carrier insurance in order to get authority and, for that, you’ll need to have a truck.
If you want to get started on the process of getting your authority before you have a truck, the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program can help you get your DOT and MC numbers. It also connects you with qualified process agents, so as soon as you have your truck, you’re ready to complete the final steps and hit the road.
Get your DOT number even if you don’t have a truck yet
Obtaining your DOT number is an important first step to getting your trucking business off the ground – and you don’t even have to wait to have your vehicle to do it! Get your DOT number and so much more with help from the experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program. Let us focus on the paperwork so you can focus on your business!
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