FMSCA Portal Issues

I am attempting to fill out my biannial update and seem to be stuck in the portal with a spinning wheel, and error messages. This seems to be an old system, have others had issues?

I just did mine this morning and was surprised at how well it worked. Must have used up all the power they had for today

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Yes!!!. Called about 10 times and waited on hold for about 40 hours. Emailed online to get only bot answer. Submitted a paper one. Finally got in online to my account to submit the same report I've done for the last 15 years. Took another six months to verify via email, and since they sold my info I get weekly letters telling me I will be fined big time by DOT scam/scum companies (such as but not limited to DOT Compliance).

So I left a message with FMCSA over the weekend, and they called 9:30 Monday morning, apparently I am experiencing some sort of glitch, and they are reviewing it an will send instructions. The call came in from a 1-800 number that my I phone thought was possible spam.

I found that the help on the phone from FMCSA were not very helpful as far as getting onto the site and completing the Biennial. I did have a few service reps that worked with me to get on, but despite everything we tried it still did not work. There is a Federal site you now have to go into to be authenticated it's you or something. After months of trying to get online, somehow the site was working one day - like maybe they had fixed it. But they found something I checked off as not right. I'm a guy with two dump trucks (one 5yd, one 12yd) and one driver (me) driving only in one state within a 30 mile radius, so I don't know why they are even bothering with me. Anyway, I finally got it done!

Is this for DOT numbers, heavy use tax, FMCSA inspection or what?

Biennial update every two years

PeterG said: Biennial update every two years Click to expand... For what though, USDOT number? This is not something I'm familiar with, in Va we are not required to run DOT numbers and I keep my trucks under 54K to avoid heavy use tax.

This is if you have a dot number. If you are a homeowner I would not get a DOT number. If you are a licensed business I would if I were you, especially if you have vehicles over 10,000 lb GVW and pull heavy equipment trailers over 14gvw. If you are a business and most of your competitors have similar trucks with dot numbers on them, then I think it would be best for you to get one. Are your vehicles licensed as commercial vehicles regarding insurance? You need a USDOT number in Virginia if you operate commercial vehicles for interstate commerce (crossing state lines), or if you are an intrastate carrier transporting hazardous materials requiring a safety permit . It is generally required for vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more. Key Requirements for a USDOT Number in VA: Weight: Vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. Passengers: Vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) or 9-15 passengers for compensation. Hazardous Materials: Transporting hazardous materials that require placarding. Interstate Commerce: Operating across state lines. Intrastate (Within Virginia Only) Exceptions: Apart from transporting hazardous materials that require placards, Virginia does not typically require a USDOT number for carriers operating exclusively within the state. However, if you cross state lines, you must have one.

My three trucks are fully licensed at 22K, 40K and 54K respectively and insured as commercial however I only operate in state. The only trucks around here that have USDOT numbers are ones belonging to large companies working in multiple states. None of the local contractors, farmers, loggers etc have USDOT numbers and most don't have any lettering on the trucks whatsoever, myself included. I am grateful our state does not require it.

MG84 said: My three trucks are fully licensed at 22K, 40K and 54K respectively and insured as commercial however I only operate in state. The only trucks around here that have USDOT numbers are ones belonging to large companies working in multiple states. None of the local contractors, farmers, loggers etc have USDOT numbers and most don't have any lettering on the trucks whatsoever, myself included. I am grateful our state does not require it. Click to expand... That sounds like PA 20 years ago. Everybody was good with it till DOT woke up and started busting contractors, lawn care, builders, etc. for not having DOT #s on their trucks and pickups. We got told by DOT that we needed to carry fire extinguishers and triangles in our company pickups as well which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Farming, logging, and oil and gas have exceptions carved out in regards to DOT so I wouldn't base anything on what they're doing or not doing.

AMBMike said: That sounds like PA 20 years ago. Everybody was good with it till DOT woke up and started busting contractors, lawn care, builders, etc. for not having DOT #s on their trucks and pickups. We got told by DOT that we needed to carry fire extinguishers and triangles in our company pickups as well which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Farming, logging, and oil and gas have exceptions carved out in regards to DOT so I wouldn't base anything on what they're doing or not doing. Click to expand... In VA it is state law that a USDOT# is not required as long as you stay intrastate. We are one of only a handful left in the country, I hope it doesn't change but I'm sure some day it will. Here DOT has started cracking down on contractors and landscapers lately for other stuff. Most are running without CDLs, overweight, no tie downs, junk trucks/trailers and so on.