American Dot Services

The USDOT Number is used to track your company’s safety and compliance and is required for most commercial vehicles operating across state lines or over 10,001 lbs.

The MC Number is needed if you transport goods or passengers for hire across state lines. It gives you operating authority as a for-hire carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.

 A TxDMV Number is required if you operate commercial vehicles only within Texas (intrastate). It’s issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and helps track safety and insurance for in-state carriers 

The Clearinghouse is an online database that records drug and alcohol testing violations committed by drivers with a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License).

Employers must check it before hiring a driver and once a year to ensure the driver is authorized to operate legally.

 

A BOC-3 (Blanket of Coverage) is a required federal filing that designates a process agent in each U.S. state who can accept legal documents on behalf of a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. 

The MCS-150 is a federal form required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It provides important details about your trucking company or transportation business and is directly tied to your USDOT Number. 

Who Must File MCS-150? 

New carriers applying for a USDOT Number
Existing carriers who need to update company information, all carriers, every 2 years, for the biennial update — even if no info has changed 

What is an LLC?

LLC stands for Limited Liability Company.

It’s a type of business structure that:

Protects your personal assets (like your home and savings) from business debts and lawsuits

Offers flexibility in management and taxes

Can have one or multiple owners (called members)

Why Choose an LLC?

It’s easier to set up than a corporation

Provides legal protection

Allows profits and losses to pass through to owners’ personal tax returns

What is an EIN#?

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. It’s a unique 9-digit number assigned by the IRS to a business for tax purposes.

Why You Need an EIN:

To open a business bank account
To hire employees
To file business taxes
To apply for licenses and permits

A DBA (also called an Assumed Name) is a name you use to operate your business that is different from your legal business name.

    Why Use a DBA?

To run your business under a different name without creating a new legal entity

For example, if your LLC is called "Lone Star Logistics, LLC" but you want to do business as "Lone Star Trucking", you file a DBA for the trade name

It helps customers recognize your business by a simpler or more marketable name

What is Apportioned Registration?

Apportioned Registration is a special type of vehicle registration for commercial trucks and buses that travel in more than one state.

How It Works:

Instead of registering your vehicle separately in each state you travel through, you pay a proportional fee based on how many miles you drive in each state.
This system is managed through the International Registration Plan (IRP).

What is Safety Compliance?

Safety Compliance means following all the federal, state, and local safety laws and regulations that apply to commercial motor carriers and drivers.

Why It Matters:

Ensures the safety of drivers, passengers, and the public

Helps companies avoid fines, penalties, and legal issues

Improves your company’s reputation and reliability

Is required by agencies like the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)

Common Areas of Safety Compliance: 

Vehicle inspections and maintenance

Driver qualifications and hours of service (HOS)

Drug and alcohol testing programs

Record keeping and reporting

Proper cargo securement

What is Form 2290?

Form 2290 is a federal tax form used to report and pay the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT).

Who Must File?

Owners of vehicles weighing 55,000 pounds or more (including trucks, trailers, and buses) that operate on public highways.

Why File Form 2290?

The HVUT is an annual tax collected by the IRS to help maintain highways.
Filing the form and paying the tax is required by law before operating heavy vehicles on public roads. o help maintain highways.

What is an MVR?

MVR stands for Motor Vehicle Record.
It’s a detailed driving history report for a driver, showing:

Traffic violations

Accidents

License status

Driving suspensions or revocations

Employers use MVRs to check a driver’s safety and driving history.

What is a PSP Record?

PSP stands for Pre-Employment Screening Program record.
It’s a safety performance history report from the FMCSA that includes:

Crash history

Inspection violations

Hours-of-service violations

The PSP helps employers make informed hiring decisions and improve safety.