Motorcycle Accident Newsroom

WSP Clarifies Requirements for Department of Transportation Numbers on Intrastate Commercial Motor Vehicles.

The Washington State Patrol, in partnership with the Washington Trucking Association, Department of Licensing, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the state legislature, and other committee members developed and passed House Bill 1304 which requires Department of Transportation (DOT) numbers on all intrastate commercial motor vehicles by June 30, 2009.

In order to comply with the first phase of HB 1304 all intrastate commercial motor vehicles who meet the following specifications are required to begin the application process for DOT numbers after January 1, 2008. Commercial motor vehicles who have a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds or more; or has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

It will be mandatory for intrastate carriers meeting the above requirements to have DOT numbers displayed on their vehicles by June 30, 2009. Washington State Patrol officers will begin taking enforcement action for phase one violations after June 30, 2009.

The second phase of HB 1304 affects all intrastate commercial motor vehicles with the following specifications: a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds or more; or has a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,001 pounds or more; or is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials. Intrastate carriers that meet these requirements shall apply for DOT numbers by January 1, 2011 and have their DOT numbers displayed on their vehicles by June 30, 2012.

Motor vehicles owned and operated by farmers in the transportation of their own farm, orchard, or dairy products, including livestock and plant or animal wastes, from point of production to market or disposal or supplies or commodities to be used on the farm, orchard or dairy are required to obtain DOT numbers, but are exempt from safety audits and compliance reviews.