Do Intrastate Companies Need a DOT Number?

Written By Bailey Hoak

Many companies operate under the assumption that because their vehicles don’t leave the state, they are exempt from getting a USDOT Number and any of the safety regulations that go hand-in-hand with operating under one. If you are under that assumption, keep reading, there’s information in here that could prevent you from facing some significant citations.

The short answer to “Do I need a DOT Number to operate as intrastate?” is YES.

The long answer is, it depends on your state and how you plan on operating, but most likely, yes.

In this article we’ll clarify the common misconceptions surround who does and does not need a DOT number to operate within their state. If you’re looking for an immediate answer, please contact us directly at (208) 278-6722. We can review your operation and tell you definitively whether or not you’ll need a DOT number, and any of the regulatory requirements that go along with it.

What's the Difference? Interstate vs. Intrastate

Understanding the difference between these two terms is the first step.

  • Interstate Commerce: You are an interstate carrier if your vehicle, cargo, or passengers cross state lines. To elaborate, you are interstate; your vehicle crosses state lines to get to a job-site, a cargo destination, etc., your vehicle doesn’t cross state lines, but your service is one step in a chain of transports that carries the cargo from one state to another, or, if you’re transporting passengers to/from other states (transporting from airports included).

  • Intrastate Commerce: You are an intrastate carrier if you only transport goods or passengers within a single state's borders. The entire trip—from pickup to drop-off—begins and ends in the same state without ever leaving the state & the cargo or passengers you’re carrying do not originate from outside the state.

What Does the FMCSA Say?

At the federal level, the FMCSA requires you to get a USDOT number if you are involved in interstate commerce and your vehicle meets one of these conditions:

  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 lbs. or more.

  • Is designed to transport 9 to 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.

  • Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), whether for compensation or not.

  • Is used to transport hazardous materials that require you to display a HazMat Placard.

Notice the emphasis on "interstate." The FMCSA can only enforce these requirements on companies involved in Interstate commerce as that is within their jurisdiction — operating within your base state is not.

What are the State Requirements?

Here’s the core information of the article:

Your state has the right to set its own, often stricter, regulations. To improve safety of commercial transportation within their borders, almost every state in the US has passed laws that require intrastate commercial carriers to get a USDOT number, even if federal rules wouldn't normally apply.

Most of these states have adopted the FMCSA requirements without many adjustments. States that require companies to get a DOT number when you’re using a vehicle that meets the same criteria that the FMCSA has defined include:

  • Arkansas

  • Georgia

  • Kansas

  • Illinois

  • Michigan

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Texas

States that have stricter regulations than the FMCSA and require you to obtain a DOT number if you’re operating ANY kind of for-hire vehicle include:

  • California

  • Minnesota

Lastly, states that don’t require you to obtain a DOT number unless the vehicle requires a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) to operate include:

  • Alabama

  • Florida

  • Idaho

  • Louisiana

  • Missouri

  • Nevada

  • North Carolina

“What If I Only Carry Private Property?”

That’s a great question, and another common point of confusion for companies. We recently wrote another article explaining the differences between for-hire & private carriers. In truth, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Most of the regulations are based on the vehicles you’re using & the cargo you’re carrying - not who the cargo belongs to.

For more information, check out our article breaking down Private Property requirements.

“Turns Out, I Need a DOT Number. Now What?”

What many companies don’t realize is, applying for a DOT number is really just the first step in the process. Depending on the GVWR/GCWR of the vehicles or vehicle/trailer combinations you use, your company is likely subject to many of the same requirements as an Interstate company.

These requirements are called the FMCSRs (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations).

“Wait, what? Those are federal requirements, I’m only operating within (state)!”

That’s true, however, just as your state has “adopted” the requirement for intrastate companies to get a DOT number, they almost always adopt the FMCSRs as well. That means you very well may still need to comply with things like:

In addition, many states also have what is generally referred to as an “Intrastate Authority” - although the name varies from state to state. These are an additional permit, account, or filing that you need to obtain from your state BEFORE you begin operating.

Here are some examples of Intrastate Authorities:

Don't Guess at Your Requirements — Understand Them.

Before you start operating, or even apply for a DOT number, it’s critical that you’re aware of what your state’s requirements are, whether or not they apply to you, and how you’ll ensure your operations will be compliant with them.

Because regulations change and vary so widely between states, you can’t just guess or rely on a blog post (even this one) to know without a shadow of a doubt what applies to your specific operation.

The good news is, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We will review your operations with you, outline any state requirements, and provide a full breakdown on how we can ensure your company is fully legal to operate, long before your trucks hit the road.

Contact us directly to get started.

Stay Informed, Stay Compliant, and Stay on the Road

The questions addressed in this article are questions that we answer for carriers & other companies with commercial transportation on daily basis. Many of them have already been pulled over by a state trooper and got a few hundred, or even thousands, of dollars in fines —most of them completely unaware that their state requires a DOT number or enforces safety regulations.

We know how difficult it can be to find current & accurate information online, even when you know what you’re looking for. That’s why we make it our mission to take the mental burden out complying with state & federal regulations.

There’s a reason why any large fleet of commercial vehicles have a safety / fleet manager to handle this for them. As an owner-operator, small fleet, construction / landscape company, or any other type of company that makes up the majority of new DOT number applicants — hiring a full-time employee for tens-of-thousands of dollars a year just isn’t feasible.

TIPS is the solution. No contract, no monthly salary, no struggles with hiring or finding the right person for the job. With our extensive history working with companies of all types, with any kind of vehicle, carrying any kind of cargo, we know exactly what it takes to get you on the road and keep you compliant every step of the way.

For questions, concerns, or a free consultation to determine your specific requirements - call us today at (208) 278-6722, or get in touch with us directly via one of the options provided on our Contact Us page.

Bailey Hoak
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