The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has initiated a new electronic, consumer-friendly process that allows interstate motor carriers applying on-line to receive their individual USDOT number instantly.
This latest registration feature in FMCSA e-government streamlines a process that previously took up to four weeks to complete. The new registration process complements an e-government function begun earlier this year that allows motor carriers to update their registration information online.
All motor carriers operating in interstate or foreign commerce are required to file the MCS-150 before beginning operation. In addition, the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 requires that registration information be updated every two years. Carriers will need a valid Visa or MasterCard to act as a digital signature when applying for a USDOT number and updating electronically. The credit card is used only for digital signature purposes, and there is no charge for filling out the application online. Verification of the card will place the cardholder's name on the MCS-150 as the signature. Digital signatures are as legally binding as ink signatures. A notification letter will be mailed to the carrier confirming the USDOT number. For more information, visit www.safersys.org.