DOT Number Lookup
Enter any USDOT number to instantly access the carrier's full safety record, authority status, insurance verification, and fleet details. Truck Graph indexes 757,873 verified for-hire carriers from FMCSA compliance records.
Example: Enter 53467 for Werner Enterprises Inc
What is a DOT number?
A USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) number is a unique identifier assigned to commercial motor carriers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This number serves as the carrier's primary tracking mechanism within the federal safety monitoring system, linking all compliance records, inspections, crashes, and insurance filings to a single entity.
Every carrier operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce must register for a USDOT number if their vehicles exceed 10,001 lbs gross weight, transport more than 8 passengers for compensation (or more than 15 without compensation), or carry hazardous materials requiring placarding. As of May 2026, the FMCSA has issued USDOT numbers to over 1.6 million registered entities, of which 757,873 are active for-hire carriers tracked by Truck Graph.
The DOT number unlocks a carrier's complete compliance history: roadside inspection results, out-of-service rates, crash records, insurance coverage verification, operating authority status, and any prior enforcement actions. Freight brokers, shippers, and logistics professionals use DOT lookups to verify carriers before tendering loads — an essential step in carrier vetting.
Unlike an MC (Motor Carrier) number, which relates specifically to for-hire operating authority, the DOT number is required for all commercial vehicles regardless of whether they operate for-hire or as private carriers. A carrier may hold both a DOT number and an MC number. For more on the distinction, see our MC number glossary entry.
How to find a carrier's DOT number
- On the vehicle: Federal law requires the USDOT number to be displayed on both sides of the power unit (tractor) in letters at least 2 inches high. Look on the cab door or below the company name.
- On shipping documents: Rate confirmations, bills of lading, and carrier packets typically include the DOT number alongside the MC number and legal name.
- FMCSA SAFER system: Search by carrier name at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov — the official federal database.
- Truck Graph search: Use our carrier search to find any carrier by name, DOT number, or MC number with instant results.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DOT number?
A DOT (Department of Transportation) number is a unique identifier assigned by the FMCSA to commercial motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. Every for-hire carrier with vehicles over 10,001 lbs or transporting hazardous materials must have one.
How do I find a carrier's DOT number?
You can find a carrier's DOT number on their trucks (displayed on the cab door), on bills of lading, rate confirmations, or by searching their legal name on FMCSA's SAFER system or here on Truck Graph.
What information does a DOT number reveal?
A DOT number unlocks the carrier's full compliance record: operating authority status, insurance coverage, safety inspection history, crash records, fleet size, and any prior revocations or risk indicators.
Is a DOT number the same as an MC number?
No. A DOT number identifies the carrier for safety monitoring purposes. An MC (Motor Carrier) number is a separate identifier for carriers that have interstate operating authority. A carrier can have both.
Can a carrier operate without a DOT number?
No. Any commercial vehicle operating in interstate commerce that weighs over 10,001 lbs, transports more than 8 passengers for compensation, or carries hazardous materials must register for a USDOT number with the FMCSA.
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