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Flatbed and tow-behind lettering: what goes on the cab of a flatbed truck
Short answerFlatbeds follow the same rule as any truck over 10,001 lbs: legal name and USDOT number on both cab doors, readable from 50 feet, plus the CA number in California. Nothing is required on the bed or the load.
Cab doors, not the bed
The marking rule covers the self-propelled unit, so the lettering lives on the cab doors. Straps, tarps and the deck don't need anything.
Rollbacks and car haulers
A rollback used for towing is also a tow truck under state law, which adds the company name, city and phone number requirement in California and Texas. See the tow truck page.
Size
Two inch numbers; 2.5 on a Class 7 or 8 cab.
Related questions
Does the flatbed itself need the company name?
No. Only the cab doors carry required lettering.
Checked against 49 CFR 390.21, 13 CCR 1256 and B&P 7029.6, September 2026. Plain-English summary, not legal advice.