General.Every self-propelled commercial motor vehicle, as defined in §390.5, subject to subchapter B of this chapter must be marked as specified in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
Nature of Marking. The marking must display the following information:
The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled commercial motor vehicle, as listed on the Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with §390.19.
The motor carrier identification number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, preceded by the letters “USDOT.”
If the name of any person other than the operating carrier appears on the commercial motor vehicle, the name of the operating carrier must be followed by the information required by paragraphs (b)(1), and (2) of this section, and be preceded by the words “operated by.”
Other identifying information may be displayed on the vehicle if it is not inconsistent with the information required by this paragraph.
Each motor carrier shall meet the following requirements pertaining to its operation:
(i) All commercial motor vehicles that are part of a motor carrier’s existing fleet on July 3, 2000, and which are marked with an ICC/MC number must come into compliance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section by July 3, 2002.
(ii) All commercial motor vehicles that are part of a motor carrier’s existing fleet on July 3, 2000 and which are not marked with the legal name or a single trade name on both sides of their commercial motor vehicles, as shown on the Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, must come into compliance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section by July 5, 2005.
(iii) All commercial motor vehicles added to a motor carrier’s fleet on or after July 3, 2000, must meet the requirements of this section before being put in service and operating on public ways.
Size, shape, location, and color of marking. The marking must:
Appear on both sides of the self-propelled commercial motor vehicle;
Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed;
Be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the commercial motor vehicle is stationary; and
Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility required by paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
Construction and durability. The marking may be painted on the commercial motor vehicle or may consist of a removable device, if that device meets the identification and legibility requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, and such marking must be maintained as required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
