South Dakota DOT Number

One such crucial step includes navigating the logistics of applying for a Department of Transportation (DOT) number in South Dakota. This is an essential step for commercial vehicle company leaders who want to ensure compliance and streamlined operations.

A guide has been created here to demystify the process and provide a clear and comprehensive roadmap complete with all necessary steps for quickly obtaining your DOT number.

First, verify the requirement

In South Dakota and throughout the United States, a DOT number serves as a tracking and regulating requirement for your commercial vehicle's livelihood. That is:

Commercial vehicles hauling passengers or goods in interstate commerce.

Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating of 10,001 pounds and up.

Vehicles designed to carry 8 or more passengers (including the driver) in exchange for pay, or vehicles designed to carry 15 or more passengers (including the driver) without pay.

Follow the steps below to easily obtain your dot number

Step 1: Check If You Need a DOT Number

Before beginning the application process, make sure your vehicle and operation type actually require a DOT number. The guidelines above generally help determine this.

Step 2: Prepare Required Information

To make your application process as smooth as possible, gather all pertinent data. The main points include:

Information related to business and private identity.

Vehicle identification details (GVWR, style, usage).

Operation classification

For commercial vehicles involved in moving freight, the weight classifications of the goods carted.

Step 3: Apply Online via FMCSA Registration

If you are seeking the most efficient and shortest way to get your USDOT number, it is recommended that you apply through the FMCSA Registration website (fmcsaregistration.com). This online registration system, called the Unified Registration System (URS), offers a user-friendly platform that allows you to send in your application.

Go to fmcsaregistration.com 

Check the option "Applying for a New USDOT Number."

Follow the steps to register your application.

Step 4: Submission and Confirmation

After submitting your application, you will receive a USDOT number. Record this number carefully and keep it in storage, for it will be needed in all future operations and as a reference to verify compliance.

Maintaining Compliance

After you have obtained your USDOT number, maintaining compliance with both federal and South Dakota state regulations is extremely important. This includes, but is not limited to regular updates, insurance filings, and adherence to safety and operational standards.

 

This way, carriers won’t have to spend time going over complicated registration forms. Instead, we can often supply a new DOT number in less than an hour. Of course, the exact time frame varies based on how busy the DOT is. But our registration experts won’t rest until you have a new DOT number. What is MC Number? 

You can order your number right here on our website. But we also encourage DOT number registration over the phone. It comes down to what’s most convenient for you and your motor carrier. Visit DOT Authority Package, Tips to prepare for 2023 DOT Week filings in minutes. How to get an Oregon Trip And Fuel Permit?

Gain Compliance With the South Dakota Motor Carrier Services Dept.

By having a DOT number, you can maintain compliance with the government. But not only the United States federal government. The South Dakota Motor Carrier Services Department also matters. This department works with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Their mission is to ensure motor carriers in South Dakota have proper registration. 

That’s why you cannot afford to get pulled over without a DOT number. If that happens, you and your carrier could receive massive fines and penalties. Let’s say that you drive a commercial vehicle into a South Dakota port of entry. These include Sioux Falls, Jefferson, Tilford, and Sisseton.

 The South Dakota Highway Patrol will operate nearby to look at vehicle licensing. You must have the right level of FMCSA and DOT registration at these entry points. In fact, even motor carrier inspectors work at each port. 

These inspectors will look at the permits and paperwork of your carrier. That’s another crucial reason why you cannot put off getting a DOT number. State authorities could prevent you from operating your vehicle. Plus, you and your business could get fined and penalized. Through a DOT number, you can maintain compliance with state officials. want to know What is DOT Clearinghouse Enforcement?

Who Has To Stop at Weigh Stations in SD?

Some commercial drivers have no choice but to stop at weigh stations in South Dakota. Say that your vehicle has a gross weight that exceeds 10,001 pounds. This means that you need to stop at temporary truck checks and ports of entry. The policy also applies to 10,000+ pound gross combination vehicle weights. Even people driving rental trucks, such as Ryder or U-Haul vehicles, must pull over. check out MCS-150. You Must visit FMCSA Hours of Service Suspended topics.


Say that you use a vehicle in South Dakota to transport goods that weigh over 500 pounds. Plus, the transportation is for business purposes. This means that your carrier must have commercial licensing. Now, are you only operating your vehicle within South Dakota state lines? If so, you can secure an in-state commercial license via a county treasurer’s office. But let’s say you operate the vehicle away from South Dakota. In most cases, you will need an IRP license or a trip permit. 

An IRP license also refers to a prorated license. IRP licenses can be secured through the South Dakota Motor Carrier Services Department. This agency operates under the Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division. Our organization is standing by to register your carrier with these entities. We can provide IRP registration or heavy vehicle use tax registration. 

Either way, these important registrations can help your carrier maintain compliance. As a result, you’ll have the freedom to drive from South Dakota to other states. Do you want to learn more about IRP registration? If so, please visit our IRP web page. Our experts can get your carrier registered for IRP right now. Take a look at What Is IRP or Apportioned Registration.
 

Let Us Know If You Need Help With IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement)

Are you and your motor carrier familiar with IFTA? It stands for the International Fuel Tax Agreement. The purpose of IFTA is to make fuel-reporting processes simple for commercial carriers. Through an agreement, you can receive a fuel tax license. This license will be issued at your base jurisdiction. 

Then, you will have the authority to operate within IFTA member jurisdictions. Please let us know if you need help registering for IFTA. IFTA Sticker Registration steps. Our experts can provide you with a DOT number while setting up IFTA registration. How do you get an Oregon Trip And Fuel Permit?

The South Dakota HVUT: Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

Does your commercial vehicle have a tonnage of twenty-eight tons or more? If so, you will need to provide the county treasurer with the following criteria. It’s a stamp-verified copy of your FMCSA Form 2290, Schedule 1. This form serves as proof of filing and paying the Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. 

The South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles will mail out tonnage decals. These decals will go to a vehicle owner on a direct basis. Please let our organization know if you need help setting up HVUT registration. Our team can even complete your UCR filings. UCR refers to the FMCSA’s Unified Carrier Registration Program. What is Unified Carrier Registration?

Are you familiar with the difference between interstate and intrastate commerce? Interstate commerce refers to operating a commercial vehicle in more than one state. For example: driving your truck from South Dakota to North Dakota. Meanwhile, intrastate commerce means that you only operate a vehicle in one state. 

Now, in most cases, both interstate and intrastate vehicles need DOT numbers. Learn here How to Prepare for a Compliance DOT Audit. In fact, say that your vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,001 pounds. Plus, you drive the vehicle into a state other than South Dakota. The FMCSA will enforce that you must have a DOT number. Also, chances are, you will need both IFTA and IRP registration. Otherwise, you and your carrier will violate DOT and FMCSA policies. 

Our organization’s here to take care of all your commercial vehicle registration needs. This applies whether you’re operating as an interstate or intrastate driver. If you drive intrastate, you must adhere to both local and state regulations. 

However, federal (DOT and FMCSA) regulations also apply to large trucks and vehicles. Say you’re unsure whether your interstate or intrastate vehicle needs a DOT number. 

All you’ve got to do is pick up the phone and give our experts a call. Within minutes, they can figure out the exact level of registration that you need. Then, they can supply a DOT number and take care of all other compliance filings. 

Once you have your number, you can operate in states like South Dakota with ease. For additional programs, check out MCS-150. You Must visit FMCSA Hours of Service Suspended topics.

What Is a For-Hire Carrier?

You will need driver qualification files filed out by all employees who drive for you. A for-hire carrier functions as a business or individual providing transportation services. But this company or person does so in exchange for compensation. Some for-hire carriers transport passengers and others transport cargo. 

Either way, most of these carriers must have active USDOT numbers. Without a number, a carrier will violate DOT and FMCSA policies. That’s when the government can remove a carrier’s operating authority. Check out The Basics of Farm Exemptions. You will then have the ability to maintain complete motor carrier authority

If you need more information about South Dakota DOT numbers, please call us today. Our DOT registration team can check to see if your carrier needs a DOT number. 

Plus, we will also assess other DOT and FMCSA registrations that you must have. Next, our experts can provide you with a DOT number in less than one hour. If you need other registration, we will provide it. So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call right now at 1-866-477-0707. We look forward to helping you drive in South Dakota with ease.