Trucker News

Interstate Commerceis any trade, traffic or transportation of commodities or persons in the United States where the transit between the points of origin and termination does not occur entirely within the borders of the State of origin.

Examples : Transit between a place in a state and place outside of such state (including a place outside of the U.S. ). Transit between two places in a state through another state or a place outside of the U.S. Transit between two places in a state as part of trade, traffic or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or the U.S.

Intrastate Commerceis any trade, traffic or transportation of commodities or persons in the United States where the transit between the points of origin and termination occurs entirely within the borders of the State of origin.

Examples : A tour bus company that provided vacationers with tours of the city. A car dealer shifting inventory from one location to another close by. An armored car company transporting money from one location to another for a local bank.

The business entity, individual, partnership, corporation, or religious organization responsible for the transportation of the goods, property or people. A motor carrier is the legal entity that directs and controls the operation of one or more commercial vehicles. A motor carrier can be a trucking company, a bus company or any entity that uses vehicles for commercial purposes.

Motor carrier companies are either for hire or private. Motor carriers are either Intrastate or Interstate

For Hire Motor Carrier means: An entity engaged in the transportation of goods or passengers for direct compensation for that activity. In other words, its business is hauling persons or property. Examples include companies such as Swift and Any Bus Service.

Private Motor Carrier means: An entity that provides transportation of property or passengers, by commercial motor vehicle, but is not a “for hire” motor carrier. Examples include Amazon delivering products to its stores in vehicles it owns and operates for this purpose or a Hilton hotel providing complimentary airport shuttle bus service for its guests.

Displaying your USDOT number and other regulation numbers that are applicable to you are very important when engaging in business. The FMCSA has the authority to fine and sanction unsafe interstate truck and bus companies. USDOT & other regulation numbers are used to identify potentially unsafe motor carriers when analyzing crash sites. The identification numbers (found on each side of the power unit, assigned by the USDOT & By The State) is a key element in the FMCSA database for both carrier safety and the regulatory process. In the image below, you can see that the semi-truck is destroyed, but the USDOT number is clearly visible for authorities to run an investigation and issue fines.

BOC-3 - Bureau of Compliance Form #3

Process agent form with a list of agents should a legal dispute arise

CA Number - California CHP Number

A California Issued Regulation Number issued by the CHP (California Highway Patrol) for commercial vehicles doing business within the state

DOT (US DOT) - United States Department of Transportation

Also known as USDOT Government Regulation Agency.

ELD’s - Electronic Data Log’s

Where carriers must input their worked time rather than old paper logs. Also known as Electronic Driver Logs

FF - Freight Forwarder

Freight Forwarders arrange transport of goods By FMCSA Licensed Carriers. Freight forwarders issue bills of lading to shippers and are responsible for the loss of or damage of goods

FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The government agency that regulates the entire transportation industry.

GVW or GVWR

Maximum weight truck can weigh depending on the sector

HAZMAT - Hazardous Materials

IFTA - International Fuel Tax Agreement

Required for trucks over 26,000 lbs. You must obtain license and decals from your state

KYU - A number issued by the state of Kentucky to regulate tax miles

MC Number - Motor Carrier Number

A Number required for-hire carriers and bookers traveling interstate (property & passengers)

MCS-150 - Motor Carrier Safety Form #150

A form to update your USDOT Number

MX Number - Mexican Carrier

NY HUT - New York Highway Use Tax

Required for trucks operating in the State of New York weighing over 17,999 lbs.

TXDMV - Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Agency that governs inter state operations within Texas.

TXDOT -Texas Department of Transportation

Vehicles operating within the state of Texas are required to have a TXDOT number

VIN - Vehicle Identification Number

A unique 17 digit numeric code assigned to your vehicle. When displaying on your commercial vehicle you are only required to display the last 8 of your vin number.

If you have any questions, our customer service representatives would be more than happy to assist.