---
title: "USDOT number"
url: https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/usdot-number
description: "A USDOT number is the unique identifier FMCSA assigns to a registered motor carrier, broker or other regulated company to track its registration, safety data and compliance."
---

# USDOT number

**Definition:** A USDOT number is the unique identifier FMCSA assigns to a registered motor carrier, broker or other regulated company to track its registration, safety data and compliance.

Also called: DOT number, US DOT number, USDOT. Category: FMCSA & freight.

FMCSA's census file describes the USDOT number as the unique number it assigns to each entity record. Under Motus, FMCSA continues to identify every regulated entity by USDOT number, and shows suffixes after it for each registration type, though those suffixes are display-only for now.

A USDOT number is not permission to haul for hire. That comes from [operating authority](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/operating-authority), identified by an [MC number](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/mc-number) or other docket, and one USDOT number can hold several dockets.

New USDOT numbers issued in Motus are randomized, so the number's size says nothing about how long the company has existed; use the census `add_date` instead. For data work, treat USDOT as the canonical key, strip leading zeros (legacy files pad them), and attach dockets to it.

> **Red flag: Red flags** An inactive USDOT on an applicant claiming active operations. A USDOT with no for-hire authority on a client invoicing brokered loads. A recent `add_date` on a company claiming years in business. Look any number up with the [carrier check](https://carrierkyc.com/tools/carrier-check).

## Related

- [MC number](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/mc-number)
- [Docket number](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/docket-number)
- [MCS-150](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/mcs-150)
- [USDOT PIN](https://carrierkyc.com/glossary/usdot-pin)
- [Carrier risk check](https://carrierkyc.com/tools/carrier-check)

## Sources

- [FMCSA Company Census File](https://data.transportation.gov/Trucking-and-Motorcoaches/Company-Census-File/az4n-8mr2) (data.transportation.gov)
- [Federal Register: Availability of Motus, FMCSA's New Registration System](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/29/2026-08334/availability-of-motus-fmcsas-new-registration-system) (FMCSA notice, 2026-04-29)
- [NGWA: FMCSA announces new online registration system, Motus](https://www.ngwa.org/detail/news/2026/08/27/fmcsa-announces-new-online-registration-system--motus) (Summary of FMCSA's Motus guidance, 2026-08-27)