Do I need a US DOT number?
If you are operating a vehicle in commerce (for business purposes) to transport passengers or property when the vehicle
• has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, or 10,001 lbs or whichever is greater ; or
• Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
• Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
• Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous.
(Transportation of Hazardous Materials).
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GCWR = Gross Combination Weight Rating (truck & trailer added together)
GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight including any load
GCW = Gross Combination Weight of any truck, trailer, and load
Do I need a Medical Examiners Certificate (Medical Card)?
Yes, any driver operating a commercial vehicle with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,001 lbs or more needs the Medical Examiners Certificate.
Do I need a trailer plate?
Yes, If you are using a trailer for business purposes. Only privately owned and operated trailers are exempted from licensing in Kentucky. KRS 186.675.
Do I need a KYU number?
Yes, If the vehicle has a registered weight in excess of 59,999 lbs.
Note: You can obtain a temporary KYU # from the Division of Motor Carriers.
Am I required to carry a log book?
Yes, if driver is operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR 10,001 lbs or more.
There are some exemptions to the log book requirement, If the driver operates within a 100 air-mile radius,
And returns to the work reporting location and is released from work within 12 consecutive hours, and
The motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 months accurate and true time records showing the following
• The time the driver reports for duty each day
• The total number of hours the driver is on duty each day
• The time the driver is released from duty each day
• The total time for the preceding 7 days in accordance with 395.8(j)(2) for
Drivers used for the first time or intermittently
If you do not meet all of these requirements, you are REQUIRED to have a log book.
If you have other questions, please contact
Officer Tristan Truesdell at:
(502) 564-3276 / 1-800-928-2402