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Selling a numberYou cannot sell, buy or lease a USDOT number
If someone is offering to sell you a DOT or MC number, walk away. FMCSA says a USDOT number belongs to one legal person and treats attempts to sell or lease it seriously.
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Rather not deal with this? Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistWhat FMCSA says
FMCSA's March 2026 bulletin and its FAQ on selling a number say: "The USDOT Number belongs to the same legal person forever and may not be sold, transferred, rented, or leased." FMCSA says it will inactivate USDOT numbers when it finds a number being used by anyone other than the assigned legal person. When it finds attempts to sell, purchase or lease a USDOT number or operating authority outside a legitimate corporate transaction, it says it will start proceedings to inactivate the USDOT number and revoke all related registrations.
Sole proprietor vs. corporation, in FMCSA's own examples
Sole proprietor. FMCSA's example is John Doe doing business as Doe Trucking. John will always be the only one who can use his USDOT number. If he sells the business, the buyer needs their own number, because no one else can "become" John Doe.
Corporation. If John forms John Doe, Inc., he can sell the company and the number goes with it, because the corporation is a separate legal person. The new owners should update FMCSA records immediately. If the corporation is dissolved and operations continue only under a different company, the continuing company needs its own number, and the old one should be deactivated on Form MCS-150 using the reason "out-of-business."
A "DOT number for sale" ad is a red flag
A number advertised for sale, rent or lease is not a shortcut. Using one can lead FMCSA to inactivate the number and revoke registrations.
Equipment leasing is a different subject
FMCSA notes that its warning is about the number or authority itself, not about leasing trucks or drivers under compliant arrangements, such as those governed by 49 CFR Part 376. An equipment lease does not let anyone use your USDOT number as if they were you.
If you already paid someone for a number
Do not operate under it. Contact FMCSA. If you want help understanding where your own record stands, you can request a record review.
A real company sale is a different topic
See what happens to a DOT number when a company changes owners.
What a legitimate change of hands involves
That is 5 separate tasks, and each one has its own form, login or record to check.
- Confirm whether you are buying the legal entity or only its assets.
- If you are buying assets only, get your own USDOT number.
- If you are buying a corporation that keeps operating, update the ownership on its record right away.
- If authority is involved, find out whether FMCSA records a transfer or requires new authority.
- Do not operate under a number bought, rented or leased from someone else.
Rather not deal with this? Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistCommon questions
Can I sell my USDOT number to another driver?
No. FMCSA says a USDOT number may not be sold, transferred, rented or leased, and a sole proprietor's number can only ever be used by that person.
Can I buy an existing MC number so I can start faster?
FMCSA warns against buying operating authority from an unknown person or outside a legitimate corporate transaction, and says it will start proceedings to revoke registrations when that happens.
What if I buy the corporation that already has the number?
If the corporation continues as the same legal person, FMCSA says the number stays with that corporation, and the new owners should update FMCSA records immediately.
Is leasing a USDOT number allowed?
No. FMCSA's wording is that the number may not be rented or leased. Leasing equipment under rules such as 49 CFR Part 376 is a separate matter and is not a way around this.
Will FMCSA refund me if I already bought a number?
This site cannot say. Do not operate on a purchased number, and contact FMCSA.
Still have questions about your record? Ask one of our Personal Compliance Specialists.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistRelated guides
- Company ownership changes
- Sole proprietor to LLC
- Can you have two DOT numbers?
- Safety history with two numbers
- Name change or new number?
You can sort this out yourself. Search the public record, including the SAFER company snapshot, and use FMCSA registration resources or Motus. Or request a record review and we will look at what appears on the public record.
Do it yourself
- Updating your USDOT information with FMCSA is free, according to FMCSA.
- You set up Login.gov and complete identity verification for Motus.
- You find the right forms, versions and supporting documents.
- You match names, numbers and addresses across the record, authority, insurance and BOC-3.
- You track the deadlines and follow up with FMCSA yourself.
Have a specialist handle it
- Our Personal Compliance Specialists review the public record and explain what they see.
- They help prepare the filings and gather the supporting documents.
- They help line up authority, insurance, BOC-3 and UCR with one number.
- Paid service. Government fees, where they apply, are separate.
- You still sign and certify, and FMCSA still decides.
Sources
Public pages checked on November 15, 2026. FMCSA can change its process at any time, so check the current page before you file.