Trucking Permits

Ever wonder what regulations are required by the state? This is a list of what they are and what requirements your vehicle or driver needs to obtain them.

What is the DOT?

DOT (U.S Department of Transportation): Is a United States Government Agency that creates regulations that ensures the safety of Motor Vehicles and its Drivers. These Road Rules are created by DOT to create a safe environment on the road and prevent horrible accidents.  

FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) – Is a sub-division of DOT, that specifically handles the Trucking Industry.
FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation) – A regulation carried out by the FMCSA.

Where to start?

USDOT Number –
• A number assigned to a Trucking Company operating any vehicle with a GVW exceeding 10,000 lbs.
• A number assigned to a Passenger Company operating with 9 Passengers including the Driver or more.
This number is specifically assigned to your company, when entering this number in the system, it will show Vehicles, Accident reports, Inspections, Audits, Investigations and Compliance reviews.

MCS-150 = A form to modify anything assigned to your USDOT number. It lets FMCSA know who you are. This form must be updated anytime there is a change in your company, such as a new vehicle or change of address etc…

General Terminology

GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight
Interstate – Commercial Vehicles that travel between 2 or more states.
Intrastate – Commercial Vehicles that stay within their own state.
Hours Of Service (HOS) – A set of regulations to prevent Truck and Bus driver fatigue that can lead to fatal accidents.
Owner Operator  – A Self-Employed Truck Driver who owns a small business.
Hotshot Trucking – Freelance Truck Drivers.

Road Taxes

HUT (Highway Use Tax) – Commercial Vehicles that exceed a GVW of 18,000 lbs & operate on any highway/road in the state of New York.
IFTA (International Fuel Tax) – Commercial Vehicles that exceed a GVW of 26,000 lbs & across state lines.
• (Can only be obtained if the vehicle has an IRP Registration.)
Kentucky Highway Use Tax (KYU) – All operators with a Commercial Vehicle that weighs 60,000 lbs or more must obtain a Kentucky permit.
HVUT (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, also known as “Form 2290”) – A filing made directly to the IRS for any Commercial Vehicles that exceed a GVW of 54,999 .
MVT (Motor Vehicle Tax) – A tax in New York City or any operations in the 5 boroughs.
CMVT– Commercial Motor Vehicle Tax.

Road Permits

HUT (Highway Use Tax) – A Permit on Commercial Vehicles that exceed a GVW of 18,000 lbs & operate on any highway/road in the state of New York.
• VEHICLE SPECIFIC
IFTA (International Fuel Tax) – A Permit on Commercial Vehicles that exceed a GVW of 26,000 lbs & across state lines.
• (Can only be obtained if the vehicle has an IRP Registration.)
• FLEET SPECIFIC
DEC Waste (Department of Environmental Conservation)- Commercial Vehicle Permit needed to handle Waste materials.
OverWeight Load – (Also known as OverSized Load) When there is an increase in manufacturing legal weight, an Overwidth/Oversized Permit is needed. This permit is renewed annually.
OverWidth Load– A permit for a load that exceeds the maximum width.
PAPUC (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)- Permit when FOR-HIRE and doing point to point in the state of Pennsylvania.
PHMSA Pipeline (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) – A program that oversees 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by Land, Sea and Air. They are also in look over the nations pipeline infrastructure, which equals to 64 percent of the energy commodities used in the United States.

Licenses

IFTA (International Fuel Tax) – License and Decals to assigned to any vehicle with an IRP Registration.
• IFTA License needs to go in each vehicle/ Two decals = 1 set… 1 set per vehicle.
HAZMAT – A Commercial Vehicle Permit needed to handle Hazardous Materials.

Registrations

IRP (International Registration Plan) – A registration agreement between United States and Canada. The fee is based off the distance operated in participating jurisdictions.
UCR  (Unified Carrier Registration) – Any company assigned a USDOT Number & Operate INTERSTATE.

Other

Article 19-A – Special requirement by the New York State DMV for companies that do for hire passenger service as well as school bus drivers.
BOC-3 – Processing Agent for INTERSTATE Accidents.

MC Number (Motor Carrier Number) – Any USDOT Company that is FOR-HIRE & INTERSTATE.