| | | Home > Motor Carrier Portal > Maryland Motor Carrier Frequently Asked Questions | | | | Some of the commonly asked questions we get. If you don't find your question here,
feel free to call us at 410-865-1097 or email emiller2@mdot.state.md.us |
| Click here to download - Motor Carrier Handbook – or call 410-865-1097 to request a hardcopy.
| Hardcopies of the Annotated Code of Maryland (Maryland Law) and Code of Maryland Administrative Regulations (COMAR) can be ordered from the Division of State Documents at 410-974-2486 or 1-800-633-9657, or www.dsd.state.md.us. The publications are also available from each county's law library.
The regulations can be access online:
The Annotated Code of Maryland (Maryland Law). In ENTER ARTICLE box, select TRANSPORTATION then click on SUBMIT QUERY. Next in ENTER SECTION box, select Title and Section from pull down menu, then click on SUBMIT QUERY.
The Code of Maryland Administrative Regulations (COMAR). Click on button number 2, then select Title 11 Department of Transportation. Hardcopies of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations can be purchased from retail vendors, or accessed online at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
| Division of State Documents, 410-974-2486 or 800-633-9657, 16 Francis St., Jeffrey Bldg, Annapolis, MD 21401. There is a nominal fee. Information regarding the PM Handbook can be found at http://www.dsd.state.md.us/PM-FAQ.htm.
| Both the federal and Maryland commercial vehicle safety laws apply to any business that operates a commercial motor vehicle. It doesn’t matter what the type of business you are in. Compliance with the regulations depends on the type of vehicle you operate in your business.
| The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have defined a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as noted below. Maryland has adopted this definition for commercial vehicles that operate only within state boundaries (intrastate). CMV definition:
Commercial motor vehicle means any vehicle operated in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—
(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
(4) Is used in transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.
| Every commercial vehicle must display either a US DOT identification number OR a Maryland-issued Motor Carrier Identification Number (MDDOT number). Carriers must have only one identification number. A USDOT number is proof you have registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as a for-hire or private carrier.
You must register and obtain a US DOT number when:
· You operate commercial vehicles interstate.
· You cross state lines, including but not limited to Washington DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
· Interstate carriers can obtain a USDOT number immediately online at FMCSA website. Click on REGISTRATION AND ASSISTANCE: USDOT NUMBER/OPERATING AUTHORITY and follow the onscreen instructions. You can file the application online, or download to print the forms by clicking DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM under HOW TO REGISTER. A MDDOT number is required when a carrier does not cross state lines (remains intrastate) and does not handle interstate cargo.
· None of a carrier’s vehicles can ever cross state lines, including but not limited to Washington DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
· None of the vehicles can ever carry cargo that came from across state lines in a continuation of movement.
· Motor carriers that subsequently begin interstate operations must have their number converted to a US DOT number.
· The following vehicles, if only operated intrastate, may be exempt: Farm trucks and truck tractors, farm area motor vehicles, emergency vehicles, vehicles transporting money or commercial paper, vehicles owned or operated by the State or local government, and vehicles within 15 days of their purchase.
· You can obtain a MDDOT number application at any weigh and inspection station, by calling 1-800-543-4564 or 410-582-5734, or you can print the application from the internet at SHA's Motor Carrier Division website. Mail the completed application to the Motor Carrier Division, Office of Traffic & Safety, State Highway Administration, 7491 Connelley Drive, Hanover, MD 21076. You will be notified of your number after your application has been processed.
| Either the US DOT number or the MDDOT number must be displayed as specified in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations part 390.21(c):
(1) appear on both sides of the self-propelled commercial motor vehicle (CMV);
(2) be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed;
(3) be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet while the CMV is stationary (lettering should be a minimum of 2 inches to meet this requirement); and
(4) be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility.
| All vehicles with a gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds must stop at open weigh stations. Only vehicles that are operating in commerce will be subject to a safety inspection.
| Yes, if it weighs more than 10,000 pounds. However, these vehicles will not be subject to a safety inspection.
| Yes because the bus is required to be weighed. The vehicle will not undergo a safety inspection because passengers are on board.
| SHA – Motor Carrier Division – Permit Office 1-800-846-6435 or 1-800-543-4564 or online at hauling permit information.
| The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a nationwide toll-free number, 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238), for commercial vehicle drivers to submit reports of actual or potential violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They also have the National Consumer Complaint Database website. In Maryland, you should report violations to the Maryland State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division at 1-866-MSP-CVED (677-2833) or 410-694-6100.
| FMCSA regulates interstate household goods movers and requires you to register with the agency. FMCSA has developed a Web site, www.ProtectYourMove.gov, to assist consumers moving across State lines. Answers to the below listed questions can be found through this site, in addition to several Department of Transportation publications, such as “Ready To Move?” and “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Some of the most frequently asked consumer questions and concerns are:
- Is the mover required to give me a binding estimate?
- Is the mover required to inventory my goods?
- Is the mover allowed to hold my goods “hostage” if I refuse to pay a higher invoice amount than what I was quoted?
FMCSA also has a toll-free hotline 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) and Web site, nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov, for consumer complaints on interstate movers.
| Contact: Motor Vehicle Administration, MVA, 410-787-2971 or online at www.mva.state.md.us.
| Contact: Comptroller’s Office, 410-260-7127, or online at www.comp.state.md.us.
| Contact: 800-832-5660 or online at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
| Contact: 1-888-MSP-CVED (677-2833), 410-694-6100.
| Contact: 410-537-1126.
| The FMCSA maintains several web sites that provide easy access to company safety records. | Contact: E-ZPass Service Center, 888-321-6824 www.ezpassmd.com.
| To enroll in PrePass 1-800-PrePass (1-800-773-7277) www.prepass.com. For questions regarding the e-screening process, call SHA, Motor Carrier Section, 410-582-5730.
| The term CVISN (Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks) refers to the collection of information systems and communications networks that support commercial vehicle operations (CVO). These include information systems owned and operated by governments, motor carriers, and other stakeholders. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) CVISN program is not trying to create a new information system, but rather to create a way for existing and newly designed systems to exchange information through the use of standards and available communications infrastructure. The CVISN program provides a framework or "architecture" that will enable government agencies, the motor carrier industry, and other parties engaged in CVO safety assurance and regulation to exchange information and conduct business transactions electronically. The goal of the CVISN program is to improve the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle operations. ( From the Introductory Guide to CVISN available at the CVISN Web Site.)
| Interactive systems will establish strong working relationships between motor carriers and states. Streamlined administrative processes will provide seamless movement between states for trucks and busses. For example a motor carrier could register its vehicles in its home state, and that information will be provided to surrounding states. The time saved by registering and applying for credentials electronically is another benefit to the motor carrier. Another time saver will be in electronic screening. The vehicle is screened at main line speeds, checking the credentials, safety information and weight, allowing the driver to proceed if everything is in good standing, without having to stop at the weigh station. Motor carriers will also be able to use accurate and timely data available through a safety information exchange to assess their performance and to determine where improvements are needed.
| An out-of-state vehicle operator must obtain a Maryland 72-Hour Trip Permit, prior to driving the vehicle in Maryland, when all of these conditions are true:
- the vehicle is registered in another jurisdiction; and,
- the vehicle meets the criteria for IRP registration, but is not authorized to travel in Maryland (the vehicle may or may not have an IRP registration in the other jurisdiction); and,
- the vehicle operator wishes to drive the vehicle in Maryland for no more than 72 hours.
Note that the use of a Maryland 72-Hour Trip Permit is only recommended when the out-of-state vehicle will be driven in Maryland less than three times a year. For more details on obtaining an IRP trip permit, contact MVA at 1-800-950-1MVA(1682) or at www.marylandmva.com
| COMAR 11.21.01.02 incorporates by reference 49 CFR parts 40, 382, 383, 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399.
| Contact the Comptroller's Alcohol & Tobacco division at 410-260-7314 or www.comp.state.md.us
| Follow this link to Maryland Transportation Authority's listing of tolls-- Maryland Toll Roads .
| Any person transporting motor fuel in interstate and intrastate commerce must register as a Petroleum Transporter. For additional information, contact the Comptroller’s Motor Fuel Tax Bureau at 410-260-7215. Bulk petroleum transporters with a storage capacity of 500 gallons or more must obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Oil Control Program. For additional information, call 410-537-3442, or go to MDE’s Oil Pollution and Tank Management webpage.
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Frequently Asked Questions 
