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Leased onto a carrier: whose name and USDOT number go on the truck

Short answerThe carrier's. Under 49 CFR 376.11(c), the carrier you're leased to must identify your truck as being in its service using the marking rules in 49 CFR part 390, which means its legal name or single trade name and its USDOT number on both sides. If your own name is also on the truck, the carrier's name and USDOT number must be preceded by the words "operated by." Your lease has to say who removes those markings when the lease ends.

The short version

The truck gets marked with the motor carrier that is operating it. When you're leased on, that's the carrier, not you. 49 CFR 376.11(c)(1) says the carrier acquiring the use of your equipment must identify it during the lease according to FMCSA's marking rules in part 390.

Those marking rules (49 CFR 390.21T, the version currently in effect) call for the operating carrier's legal name or a single trade name, as listed on its MCS-150, and its number written as "USDOT" followed by the digits, on both sides of the power unit, in sharply contrasting letters readable from 50 feet in daylight.

Your name can stay, with "operated by"

If you want to keep your own company name or logo on the doors, the rule allows that. 49 CFR 390.21T(b)(3) says that if the name of anyone other than the operating carrier appears on the truck, the carrier's name and USDOT number must follow, preceded by the words "operated by." So a door might read:

SMITH HAULING
OPERATED BY ACME FREIGHT LLC
USDOT 1234567

Other identifying information is allowed as long as it isn't inconsistent with the required marking (390.21T(b)(4)).

What about my own USDOT number?

The regulation doesn't spell out what to do with a second USDOT number on a leased truck. Since extra information can't be inconsistent with the required marking, the safe move is to cover or remove your own USDOT number while you're leased on so an inspector sees one number: the carrier's. Ask your carrier how it wants the doors set up, and confirm with FMCSA if you're unsure.

Paperwork that rides with the truck

Unless a copy of the lease is carried on the equipment, the carrier has to keep a statement in the truck certifying that it's operating the equipment, with the owner's name, the date and length of the lease, any commodity restrictions, and where the original lease is kept (376.11(c)(2)). 376.12(l) says the carrier places a copy of the lease on the equipment unless that statement is carried instead.

When the lease ends

The lease itself has to say which party removes the carrier's identification devices when the lease ends, and when and how those devices (other than painted-on lettering) go back to the carrier (376.12(e)). The lease can also make removing and returning them a condition of your final payment, and the carrier may hold final payment until you do. If a device was lost or stolen, a letter certifying its removal satisfies that (376.12(f)).

If you're going out under your own authority, take the carrier's markings off and put your own legal name and USDOT number on. See how to remove vinyl lettering.

Magnets or vinyl?

The rule allows a removable device as long as it meets the same legibility rules (390.21T(d)), which is why carrier magnets are an option on a leased truck. Read are magnetic DOT signs legal first. When the doors are yours for good, our USDOT truck lettering is cut vinyl, one pre-spaced sheet per door, both doors from $59 with free shipping. Removable printed door magnets are at /car-door-magnets.