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Home > Motor Carrier Services > Intrastate USDOT Number (State of Maine)

Intrastate USDOT Number
Tel: (207) 624-9000 ext. 52131
Fax: (207) 622-5332

Applicability:
Under rules adopted pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 555-A all intrastate motor carriers using any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property must obtain a USDOT Number when the vehicle –

  • Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, whichever is greater; or
  • Has three or more axles regardless of weight; or
  • Is used in combination with another vehicle or vehicles and the combined gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating exceeds 26,000 pounds; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers, including the driver, for compensation; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. § 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation.

An intrastate motor carrier is any person engaged in the business of transporting goods, property, or passengers by commercial motor vehicle upon any public highway between points within the State of Maine when the vehicle does not cross the State boundary and the business is not part of commerce originating or terminating outside of the State or the United States.

The following vehicles are exempt from the USDOT Number requirement of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 555-A:

  1. A vehicle owned and operated by a government agency;
  1. A vehicle legally operated with dealer registration plates;
  1. A recreational vehicle not used in a commercial endeavor; and
  1. A school bus as defined in 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2301.

Please note that under rules adopted by the Bureau of the Maine State Police, carriers operating commercial vehicles with two axles and gross vehicle weights or gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 10,000 pounds and equal to or less than 26,000 pounds may be required to obtain a USDOT Number.  The Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not process USDOT applications or updates for carriers operating two-axle commercial vehicles in this weight range. A USDOT Number can be requested or updated online using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Application Form:
USDOT Numbers are issued at no charge.  The form used to initially apply for a USDOT Number or to update existing USDOT Number census information is the ‘Motor Carrier Identification Report' (Form MCS-150 ).  Information gathered on the form is required by the State of Maine and other jurisdictions to properly account for all non-exempt motor carriers operating over the highways.  The number provides for accurate and consistent motor carrier identification for law enforcement and is used to establish and maintain legal identity for Maine intrastate carriers.  The USDOT census information for intrastate motor carriers is required to be updated at least bi-annually.

Alternatively, a USDOT Number can be requested or updated online using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Display:
The USDOT Number issued to a motor carrier will be displayed on the registration certificate for all commercial motor vehicles operated by the motor carrier.  Intrastate non-hazmat motor carriers are not required to display the USDOT Number on the commercial motor vehicle, but if displayed the marking requirements under 49 C.F.R. § 390.21 apply.  Intrastate hazmat motor carriers are required to display the USDOT Number on the commercial motor vehicle as specified in 49 C.F.R. § 390.21. ¹

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your Motor Carrier Identification Report, please contact a Motor Carrier Services staff member at the number listed above or by e-mail at: usdot.bmv@maine.gov.

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[1] ¹ The Maine State Police has adopted the federal requirements for the display of USDOT numbers on intrastate vehicles; however, the Maine State Police currently is not enforcing this requirement, and plans to repeal this requirement through rulemaking. Questions should be directed to the Maine State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit at (207) 624-8939.