Dot number Determination/ Disclosure

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DOT Number Determination/ Disclosure

Use this form to determine if your vehicle needs a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number to register. DOT 

numbers are required for certain vehicles used for commercial purposes, defined as promoting, selling, or distributing 

products or services. Take or mail this completed form to any vehicle licensing office with your vehicle renewal or title 

application. If you have questions, call [phone], Option 5.

Section 1 – Vehicle

1.  Is your vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver?   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

2.  Does your vehicle have a GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

3.  If your vehicle has a GVWR of 6,000 pounds or more, do you tow a trailer with a GVWR  

of 10,001 pounds or more? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

4.  Is your vehicle used to transport hazardous materials that require a DOT placard?   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

5.  Is your vehicle an auto transport, charter party carrier, excursion service carrier, solid waste 

collection truck, or used to transport household goods?   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

6.  Is your vehicle used as a private school bus? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

If you answered “Yes” to any of the questions above, you must provide a DOT number to register the vehicle. Complete 

sections 2 and 3.

7.  Is your vehicle for personal use only? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Yes 

 No

If you answered “Yes”, a DOT number is not required. Go to section 3.

Section 2 – Carrier

If operating under your own DOT number, you are the Carrier Responsible for Safety (CRS). If you operate under a lease 

agreement you are under someone else’s DOT number and they are the CRS.

 I operate under my own DOT number.

  My DOT number 

  Federal taxpayer ID number 

 I operate under short-term lease agreements that expire in less than 30 days.

  Registered owner DOT number 

  Federal taxpayer ID number 

 I operate under a long-term lease agreement that will not expire in 30 days. Attach a copy of the lease agreement or 

equivalent (see page 2).

  Registered owner DOT number 

  Federal taxpayer ID number 

  Lessor name 

  Lessor DOT number 

  Lessor federal taxpayer ID number 

  Will your lease expire within the vehicle registration period?   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Yes 

 No

Section 3 – Registered owner/Vehicle identification

Name or business name

Address

City 

State 

ZIP code

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 

Year 

Make 

Model

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 

License plate number

TD-420-012 (R/6/16)WAE Page 1 of 2

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To get a DOT number, you must complete the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 

form MCS-150. You can apply online at www.fmcsa.dot.gov or call [phone] to have a 

form mailed to you.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle 

determined by the manufacturer. 

The GVWR can be found in several places:

•  A label on the inside frame of the driver’s door

•  In the engine compartment

•  In the owner’s manual or sales brochure

•  For trailers, toward the front of the trailer on the left side

Carrier Responsible for Safety (CRS) is the person or company responsible for the safety 

of a vehicle or group of vehicles.

Federal taxpayer Identification number is your federal Employer Identification Number 

(EIN) or Social Security number (SSN). If you do not have an EIN you must provide your SSN. 

We cannot accept your Unified Business Identifier number.

Operating under your own DOT number

If you are the owner of the vehicle and will not be operating under a long-term lease agreement, you will be operating 

under your own DOT number and you are the CRS.

Operating under someone else’s DOT number

If you have entered into a lease agreement to operate your vehicle for an individual or business, you will be operating under 

someone else’s DOT number and they are the CRS. You are required to provide a copy of the lease agreement, a certification 

of lease, or a letter from the lessor when you register your vehicle.

The certification of lease or the letter on company letterhead must include the following:

•  A description of the lease. For example:

  John Doe, XYZ Trucking Company, is presently leased to ABC Trucking Company.

  Mr. Doe will be operating under our DOT number, 

, during the term of the lease.

  Our EIN (or SSN) is 

.

•  The term of the lease in months

•  The full name and address of the lessor and lessee

•  The year, make, model, and VIN number of the vehicle

•  Lessor contact name and daytime telephone number

Short-term lease is a lease agreement between two parties that is expected to expire within 30 days of the date of the 

agreement. In a short-term lease, you are required to have a Carrier DOT number to register your vehicle. A copy of the 

lease agreement should identify the lessor that is the CRS, must be carried by the driver while operating the vehicle, and 

must be provided to law enforcement when requested.

Long-term lease is a lease agreement between two parties that will not expire within 30 days of the date of the 

agreement. To register a vehicle that is operated under a long-term lease, you must provide:

•  Your DOT and federal tax ID number (registered owner)

•  Lessor’s DOT and federal tax ID number (CRS)

•  A copy of the lease agreement, certificate of lease, or letter from the lessor

When the lease expires or is terminated, you must go to any vehicle licensing office to notify the Department of Licensing.

TD-420-012 (R/6/16)WAE Page 2 of 2