Those who drive commercial vehicles for a living probably know and understand all of the rules and regulations of the road, but what if you just need to rent a truck for a couple days? If you don’t own the truck and you’re just renting it from a company, do the rules still apply to you? Here’s what you need to know about a DOT number, even if the truck is rented.

Which vehicles require a DOT number?

DOT numbers are only required on certain commercial vehicles that transport specific materials or have a certain combined weight. If you have a commercial vehicle that is small, or you aren’t transporting the specified materials, then your vehicle likely doesn’t need a DOT number. If you aren’t sure, contact the transportation department of your local jurisdiction to determine if you need one.

What are the requirements on a vehicle for a DOT number?

There are a couple different scenarios where a commercial vehicle needs a DOT number. The first one is if you are transporting hazardous material that require a safety permit to handle. The second is if the vehicle you’re driving has either a gross vehicle weight or combined weight of 10,001 lbs (or more). The other situations where you might require a DOT number is if your vehicle is designed to transport 8 or more passengers, for compensation, or 15 ore more passengers, without compensation.

So, do I need one for a rental?

The requirements of vehicles that need a DOT number do not outline anything about ownership or registration. If your are renting a vehicle that meets the requirements of the outlined scenarios then a DOT number is needed. The company you’re renting the truck from will be able to provide you with the appropriate information about the DOT number and how to ensure all of the regulations are followed.

Do I need anything else besides a DOT number for renting a truck?

Any vehicle that has a DOT number must be regularly maintained and have appropriate road checks on the vehicle. These checks will make sure the vehicle is running at its best and won’t present any safety issues while driving. In addition to maintenance checks, a driver will need to ensure they have the right license for the vehicle you’re preparing to drive. For a rental vehicle, you may also be looking for some rental insurance to make sure any incidents that happen while you’re driving are covered.

If you have any questions about the requirements or the paperwork you need for a truck you’re renting, especially if you need a DOT number, contacting the company who owns the truck is a great place to start. Any company who owns the truck may have a DOT number that applies to anyone who drives the truck, so you might not need to apply for one yourself. Having a conversation with the rental company will be helpful for determining exactly what you need before you rent the truck and start driving without the right paperwork.