How Much Does a DOT Number Cost?

Last Updated on June 18, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow – Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

A DOT Number is the federal ID the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses to track every commercial carrier’s safety record. Companies hauling freight or passengers across state lines, plus several intrastate fleets, must file the application before rolling a single mile.

Many new operators worry about the cost and whether hidden fees lurk behind the form. The paragraphs below separate free filings from paid compliance items, outline optional third-party services, and detail ongoing expenses so every motor-carrier budget starts on solid ground.

Article Insights

• DOT Number application via FMCSA costs $0.
• Operating-authority MC Number adds $300 per type.
• BOC-3 agent filing ranges $20–$50.
• UCR yearly fees start at $59 and scale to $56,977.
• Insurance remains the largest startup outlay—often $9,000–$13,000 per tractor.
• Biennial updates stay free but carry fines if missed.
• Third-party firms charge convenience fees; DIY filing saves hundreds.

How Much Does DOT Number Cost?

The cost for issuing a DOT Number is $0, as the FMCSA does not charge for the application fee.

We found the USDOT application on the FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS) carries no government fee. Complete Form MCSA-1 online, click submit, and the system emails your unique identifier in minutes. That zero-dollar price surprises some startups that just received quotes for $149–$499 from filing agencies. Those private firms charge for convenience; the federal site is public and free.

Third-party filing houses often bundle the no-cost DOT step with paid add-ons such as a BOC-3 blanket-agent designation or Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). Paying extra is legal—just unnecessary if staff time allows. FMCSA also warns that paying an outside agency never speeds approval; URS timestamps every application the moment it arrives.

Although the number itself costs nothing, carriers must post it on both cab doors in letters at least two inches tall. Most vinyl-cut decal shops charge $12–$25 per truck for compliant door IDs.

According to sources like Intellishift and Authority Express LLC, a DOT number itself is free to obtain in the US; there is no charge for simply applying for or receiving a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

However, if your business requires operating authority to transport goods or passengers across state lines, you will also need an MC (Motor Carrier) number, which costs $300 per operating authority classification you register for. This means the total cost depends on how many operational classes your company needs to register under. For example, a company that needs multiple classifications will pay $300 for each one.

Additional costs may include Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees, which vary depending on the size of your fleet and can range from under $10 to several thousand dollars annually. Other compliance expenses, such as filing a BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agent) and obtaining proof of insurance, may also apply but are separate from the DOT number fee [altLINE], [FMCA Filings].

The process of obtaining a DOT number is typically quick, often completed online within 24 hours. However, obtaining operating authority and completing all regulatory requirements can take several weeks. It is important to note that even if your operations are strictly intrastate, some states require a DOT number, while others do not [Intellishift]. Failure to maintain proper registration can result in penalties up to $1,000 per day [US DOT Biennial Update Portal].

Additional Costs Beyond the DOT Number

Three core filings drive early-stage expenses:

1. MC Number (Operating Authority) – For-hire carriers and brokers need operating authority. FMCSA charges $300 per authority type (common, contract, or broker). A carrier hauling both property and household goods pays $600 if it requests two distinct authorities.
2. BOC-3 Filing – Every interstate carrier or broker must list a process agent in each state. Authorized firms file the form for $20–$50. Only one filing is required unless your company name or structure changes.
3. Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) – An annual fee based on fleet size. For 2025 the band runs from $59 for zero-to-two power units up to $56,977 for 1,001 + trucks. Mid-sized fleets (six–twenty) pay $351.

Insurance Outlay

• Liability minimum for property carriers: $750,000–$5 million, depending on commodities hauled. New ventures report first-year premiums around $9,000–$13,000 per tractor.
  • Brokers must carry a $75,000 surety bond (cost $900–$1,800 per year).

Cost Breakdown Table

Who Needs a DOT Number?

Data from FMCSA indicates any carrier moving goods or people for commerce in a vehicle over 10,000 lbs GVWR across state lines must register. Private fleets delivering their own products also qualify. Hazardous-materials haulers require a DOT ID even inside one state if load quantities meet placard thresholds.

Small hot-shot outfits sometimes assume a half-ton pickup exempts them; once the trailer pushes total combined weight past 10,000 lbs, the rule clicks in. Passenger vans with eight-plus riders for hire fall under the same statute. Brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies request an MC Number but still file for a DOT Number when they operate equipment.

Failing to obtain the ID may trigger civil penalties of $1,000 per day, capped at $10,000. States partner with FMCSA during roadside inspections, so enforcement is not limited to federal officers.

You might also like our articles on overnight shipping at USPS and FedEx, or UPS Pack and Ship services.

How to Apply for a DOT Number

The URS portal guides applicants through six screens: company details, ownership, cargo classes, vehicle counts, driver counts, and certification. Keep EIN or SSN, legal business name, and physical address ready. A valid email is essential; FMCSA sends the DOT Certificate PDF there.

Most applicants finish in 30 minutes. The site times out after 40 minutes of inactivity, so gather numbers first. Once submitted, updates appear in SAFER within 24 hours. Print the confirmation because some insurance agents will require proof before binding coverage.

DOT Number vs MC Number

A DOT Number tracks safety: inspections, crashes, compliance reviews, and BASIC scores. An MC Number grants legal permission to carry property or passengers for-hire across state lines. Private carriers moving their own freight need only DOT. For-hire interstate carriers need both. Intrastate carriers inside California or Texas could hold a state motor-carrier permit without MC authority but still require a DOT ID.

Brokers never drive cargo yet must hold an MC broker authority. FMCSA assigns broker MCs in the same series, so the filing fee remains $300.

State-Level DOT Number Requirements

Nineteen states issue enforcement bulletins compelling intrastate commercial carriers to secure a federal DOT Number. Texas exempts farm vehicles under 48,000 lbs but includes oil-field hot-shots. Florida requires tour buses and tow trucks. California’s BIT program cross-checks DOT holders for CHP inspections.

Some states add separate fees: Oregon charges $72 for a company identifier, while Kentucky’s KYU weight-distance number costs $40 annually if trucks exceed 59,999 lbs. Always verify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Public Utilities Commission site before rolling intrastate.

DOT Number Compliance and Renewal

Every carrier must file a biennial update (MCS-150) even if nothing changes. The report month corresponds to the last two digits of the DOT Number. Missing the deadline flags the account “Inactive,” halting load boards and triggering citations. Filing remains free; third-party agencies charge $50–$125 if you outsource.

Safety audits land within the first 12 months of operation. While the audit itself costs nothing, failing items such as driver qualification files can produce fines of $1,100 per violation. UCR renewal, insurance certificates, drug-test consortium fees ($75–$130 per driver), and ELD subscriptions ($20–$35 per truck per month) round out annual compliance budgets.

Expert Insights & Tips

• Bertram Holladay, Former FMCSA Field Investigator – TruckSafe Advisors: “Updating your DOT profile promptly improves ISS safety scores and lowers roadside inspections, saving operators hundreds in unplanned downtime.”
• Greta Virelli, President – SafeHaul BOC Services: “Never pay more than $50 for a BOC-3. Several blanket agents list their filing rate right on the FMCSA site.”
• Lonzo Penderwick, Risk Analyst – BluePine Insurance Group: “Carriers with clean SMS history can negotiate liability premiums down by 15 % at renewal—far more impactful than cutting a few filing fees.”
• Ximena Carlsen, Compliance Consultant – FleetForge Solutions: “File UCR early December. Enforcement begins January 1, and late filings incur a $300–$1,000 roadside citation in many states.”
• Hildred Quan, Transportation Attorney – Quan & Wolcott, PLLC: “Keep stamped copies of every paid fee. FMCSA audits accept digital receipts; missing proof leads to unnecessary penalties.”

Answers to Common Questions

How long does a DOT Number stay active?
Indefinitely, provided the carrier files biennial updates and maintains required insurance.

Can a single owner-operator file without an LLC?
Yes, individuals may register using their Social Security number, though many form an LLC for liability protection.

What is the total first-year cost for a one-truck interstate carrier?
Expect $379 in government fees (MC + UCR + BOC-3) plus $10,000-class insurance and $240 in ELD service.

Does a farm vehicle need a DOT Number?
Often no if operating within a 150-air-mile radius and meeting federal exemptions, yet some states still require it—check local rules.

Where do I place the DOT Number on the truck?
Both sides of the power unit, contrasting color, minimum two-inch-tall letters visible from 50 feet.