Do I need a USDOT number for a courier business?

Under the federal definition (49 CFR 390.5), a commercial motor vehicle used in interstate commerce is one that:

• has a weight rating or actual weight of 10,001 pounds or more, or
• is designed or used to carry more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for pay, or more than 15 not for pay, or
• carries hazardous materials in amounts that require placards.

Interstate commerce includes trips between states, and trips inside one state that are part of a move starting or ending in another state.

What this means for couriers:

• Most courier cars and small vans weigh well under 10,001 pounds, so the federal USDOT rule usually does not apply to them.
• If you move up to a heavier box truck, or haul across state lines, check FMCSA's registration pages. Operating authority (an MC number) is a separate requirement for some for-hire carriers.
• Check your state DOT, since some states require USDOT numbers for intrastate commercial vehicles.

You will still need any city or county business license, and commercial auto insurance, because personal policies may not cover business deliveries. Medical courier clients often set their own training and insurance requirements. General information, not legal advice.