FMCSA Seeks Comments on Truck Marking Paperwork Burden
Published Date: 6/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing its approval to collect info on marking commercial trucks and equipment with ID numbers and names. This affects nearly a million motor carriers and equipment providers who must keep their markings up to date, helping keep roads safe. Comments are open until July 1, 2026, and the paperwork takes about 26 minutes per vehicle, so plan ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Nearly 939K Entities Must Keep Markings
FMCSA renewed its information collection for commercial motor vehicle marking requirements that apply to 938,861 respondents in total (900,043 freight-carrying carriers; 20,878 intrastate hazardous-material carriers; 16,409 passenger carriers; and 1,531 intermodal equipment providers). You (as a carrier or equipment provider) must maintain required markings and the collection estimates the total annual burden at 4,687,689 hours.
Freight Carriers' Marking Burden
If you are a freight-carrying motor carrier, FMCSA estimates 900,043 such respondents who spend a combined 3,228,623 hours annually marking vehicles. The ICR estimates about 26 minutes per marking response (12 minutes to affix USDOT number + 14 minutes to affix carrier name).
Intermodal Equipment Providers' Large Hour Burden
Intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) are 1,531 respondents but are estimated to spend 1,174,966 hours annually marking equipment under this ICR. The per-response estimate is 26 minutes (12 minutes for USDOT number + 14 minutes for carrier name).
Passenger Carriers' Marking Time
Passenger-carrying commercial motor carriers (16,409 respondents) are estimated to spend a combined 58,375 hours annually complying with marking requirements, at about 26 minutes per marking response (12 minutes for USDOT number + 14 minutes for carrier name).
Intrastate Hazardous-Materials Carriers Affected
Motor carriers that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce subject to the Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP) rules are included (20,878 respondents) and are estimated to spend 225,725 hours annually marking vehicles, at about 26 minutes per marking response.
Flexibility in How You Mark Vehicles
FMCSA's ICR notes the Agency does not require a specific method of marking as long as the marking complies with FMCSA regulations. You can choose any compliant marking method rather than a single prescribed technique.
Markings Help Public Safety and Identification
FMCSA states the marking requirements are intended to help FMCSA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and State safety officials identify carriers, assign responsibility during inspections and crash studies, and provide the public with information for complaints or emergency notification.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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