{
  "schema_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "answer_key": "usdot-display-requirements",
  "artifact_slug": "usdot-display-requirements",
  "query": "usdot number display requirements",
  "citation_slots": 3,
  "canonical_path": "/guides/how-to-display-usdot-number",
  "title": "What are the USDOT number display requirements?",
  "description": "The current temporary-rule marking text and 50-foot standard.",
  "answer_capsule": "Display the legal or trade name and USDOT number on both sides of the commercial motor vehicle, in contrasting lettering legible from 50 feet while stationary. The eCFR's current §390.21T text, accessed 2026-07-21, is the named source because the base section is suspended. Check current federal and state marking rules before application.",
  "scope": "This guide summarizes the current federal temporary-rule handoff. It does not state a universal letter height or override additional state requirements.",
  "methodology_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "reproducibility_note": "Re-derive this answer from the named source and dated scope; no Fonteum account is required.",
  "limitations": [
    "The live rule and any state additions must be checked before marking a vehicle.",
    "This aggregate public-record answer is not a consumer report, person-level dossier, eligibility decision, or risk score."
  ],
  "related_links": [
    {
      "label": "USDOT number definition",
      "href": "/glossary/usdot-number"
    }
  ],
  "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
  "source_artifacts": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-390-21t-marking",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "49 CFR §390.21T — Marking of self-propelled CMVs and intermodal equipment",
      "file_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-B/section-390.21T",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21",
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
      "sha256": null
    }
  ],
  "published_date": "2026-07-21",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-21",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-390-21t-marking",
      "name": "49 CFR §390.21T — Marking of self-propelled CMVs and intermodal equipment",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-B/section-390.21T",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-21",
      "limitation": "The live federal rule can change, and state or operation-specific marking rules can also apply. Review the current text before applying markings.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
    }
  ],
  "facts": [
    {
      "fact_key": "placement",
      "label": "Placement",
      "value": "Both sides of the commercial motor vehicle",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-390-21t-marking",
        "name": "49 CFR §390.21T — Marking of self-propelled CMVs and intermodal equipment",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-B/section-390.21T",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The live federal rule can change, and state or operation-specific marking rules can also apply. Review the current text before applying markings.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    },
    {
      "fact_key": "legibility",
      "label": "Legibility distance while stationary",
      "value": "50 feet",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-390-21t-marking",
        "name": "49 CFR §390.21T — Marking of self-propelled CMVs and intermodal equipment",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-B/section-390.21T",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The live federal rule can change, and state or operation-specific marking rules can also apply. Review the current text before applying markings.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Does the federal rule set one universal letter height?",
      "answer": "The cited temporary rule uses a 50-foot legibility standard rather than one universal height."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why does this page cite §390.21T?",
      "answer": "The base §390.21 is shown as suspended, so the temporary section carries the current text."
    }
  ]
}