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USDOT Number Requirement

Laws and Rules

Commercial motor vehicle safety enforcement—Application for department of transportation number Law - RCW 46.32.080 

A U.S. Department of Transportation Number (USDOT) is required to operate in Washington state for the following: 

Common Carriers only when: 

  • Operating vehicles of 16,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or more; or  

  • Hauling hazardous materials at any weight.   

All other motor carriers regulated by the UTC, regardless of weight including:  

  • Household Goods Carriers 

  • Solid Waste Carriers 

  • Charter and Excursion Buses 

  • Auto Transportation Buses  

  • Non-Profit Buses 

Even if the FMCSA website indicates that you do not need a USDOT number, Washington law requires a USDOT number for intrastate operations as described above. You can apply for a USDOT number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. 

For questions about USDOT numbers, contact the Washington State Patrol at (360) 596-3812.