Identify Your Commercial Vehicle with the Proper Markings

Driving a commercial vehicle comes with a certain amount of responsibility.

Driving a commercial vehicle comes with a certain amount of responsibility. Among these responsibilities is proper identification. Every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on the road over 10,000lbs must be identified with certain markings, which must contain the following information, as outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in CFR 390.5:  Please refer to FMCSA for full details, below are a few key points.

1. The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the motor carrier identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with CFR 390.19.
2. The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT”.
3. The City and State of the motor carrier is no longer required to be displayed.

 These Markings Must:

1. Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
2. Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
3. Be readily legible during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
4. Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the above requirements.

Marking Rented Equipment

Not all commercial vehicle drivers own their vehicle, but they still need to be clearly marked. Identifying information may be painted on or removable in some way as long as it still meets the FMCSA’s legibility requirements.

The Rental Agreement

Rental agreements for rented commercial vehicles should contain some key information:

• The name and complete physical address of the renter’s business.
• The renter’s USDOT identification number, as assigned by the FMCSA
• Whether the vehicle will be used for interstate or intrastate transport, and whether the renter will be transporting hazardous or nonhazardous materials.

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