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The Registry of Motor Vehicles has announced a new regulation {540 CMR 2.22(1)} that will affect MOST commercial vehicles, effective September 1, 2018… (but NOT including private passenger vehicles). This is for trucks used in business: Just about all of them. There are two levels of new requirements, based on GVW:
Vehicles over 2000 lbs GVW, carrying property, MUST
Display the owner’s / company’s name on the truck, plainly visible, on both sides OR front and rear, in permanent letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed, legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the motor truck is stationary. You really have to show your name clearly.
Vehicles with 10,001 GVW or more; OR
Must obtain and display a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number.
"Display" means permanently marked with a USDOT number assigned in a manner conforming to the provisions of 49 CFR 390.21
You can apply for a US DOT number here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and Federal phone assistance is available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at 1-800-832-5660.
Penalties for failing to comply with either of these new regs may result in fines and placing the vehicle "Out-of-Service". We don't know if this really means they'll tow it, but act as if they can.
These regs apply even if your company is operating only intrastate, meaning you conduct business only within Massachusetts; also applies if you operate interstate, conducting business in other states. For either, you must obtain your DOT number directly online.
There are exceptions for farmers transporting their own produce, in state, and plenty of other details.
For other details,here is the MASS GOV link to the new regulation: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/03/14/540cmr2.pdf
