Which entities are required to obtain a DOT number?

The requirement for obtaining a DOT number is specifically tied to the operation of commercial vehicles that engage in interstate commerce. Companies that operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds and transport goods or passengers across state lines are mandated to register for a DOT number. This registration helps ensure safety regulations and compliance with federal laws pertaining to transportation.

The choices that suggest all trucking companies based on weight, international transport companies only, or just public transportation services misinterpret the scope of DOT number requirements. For instance, while some trucking companies and transport services might need a DOT number, it's not universally applicable to every organization based solely on vehicle weight. Furthermore, the focus on only international transport companies ignores the broader requirement that includes domestic operators involved in interstate commerce. Public transportation services, while regulated, do not predominantly fall under the same DOT number requirements unless they are involved in interstate commerce as defined by federal guidelines. Hence, the emphasis on companies operating vehicles over 10,000 pounds across state lines accurately reflects the DOT's criteria for registration.