---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 31134"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "31134"
heading: "Requirement for registration and USDOT number"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/31134"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part B — Commercial"
  - "Chapter 311 — Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety"
  - "Subchapter III — Safety Regulation"
---

# §31134. Requirement for registration and USDOT number

- (a) **In General.—** Upon application, and subject to subsections [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c), the Secretary shall register an [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person subject to the safety jurisdiction of this subchapter. An [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person may operate a [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) in [interstate commerce](/usc/49/31132.md?p=4) only if the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person is registered by the Secretary under this section and receives a USDOT number. Nothing in this section shall preclude registration by the Secretary of an [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person not engaged in [interstate commerce](/usc/49/31132.md?p=4). An [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) of this title shall apply for commercial registration under [section 13902 of this title](/usc/49/13902.md).
- (b) **Withholding Registration.—** The Secretary shall register an [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person under [subsection (a)](#a) only if the Secretary determines that—
  - (1) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person seeking registration is willing and able to comply with the requirements of this subchapter and the [regulations](/usc/49/31132.md?p=7) prescribed thereunder and [chapter 51](/usc/49/chstIII/ch51.md) and the [regulations](/usc/49/31132.md?p=7) prescribed thereunder;
  - (2)
    - (A) [^1] during the 3-year period before the date of the filing of the application, the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person is not or was not related through common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship to any other person or applicant for registration subject to this subchapter who, during such 3-year period, is or was unfit, unwilling, or unable to comply with the requirements listed in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1); or
  - (3) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person has disclosed to the Secretary any relationship involving common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship to any other person or applicant for registration subject to this subchapter.
- (c) **Revocation or Suspension of Registration.—** The Secretary shall revoke the registration of an [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person issued under [subsection (a)](#a) after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, or suspend the registration after giving notice of the suspension to the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person, if the Secretary determines that—
  - (1) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8)’s or person’s authority to operate pursuant to [chapter 139](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch139.md) of this title is subject to revocation or suspension under sections[^2] 13905(d)(1) or [13905(f)](/usc/49/13905.md?p=f) of this title;
  - (2) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person has knowingly failed to comply with the requirements listed in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1);
  - (3) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person has not disclosed any relationship through common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship to any other person or applicant for registration subject to this subchapter that the Secretary determines is or was unfit, unwilling, or unable to comply with the requirements listed in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1);
  - (4) the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) or person refused to submit to the safety review required by [section 31144(g) of this title](/usc/49/31144.md?p=g).
- (d) **Periodic Registration Update.—** The Secretary may require an [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8) to update a registration under this section not later than 30 days after a change in the [employer](/usc/49/31301.md?p=8)’s address, other contact information, officers, process agent, or other essential information, as determined by the Secretary.
- (e) **State Authority.—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of a [State](/usc/49/31101.md?p=4) to issue a Department of Transportation number under [State law](/usc/49/31132.md?p=9) to a person operating in [intrastate commerce](/usc/49/31132.md?p=5).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. There is no subpar. (B).
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “section”.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, § 32105(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 780.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 31134, Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1001; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(9), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3389, related to Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, § 4008(c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 404.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.