The short answer
Hawaii trucks that never leave the state: your company name and the P.U.C. number when it hauls for hire.
Hawaii is explicit: carriers holding a PUC certificate or permit paint the company name and P.U.C. number on both sides in letters at least 2-1/2 inches tall with a quarter-inch stroke. Small passenger vehicles (7 seats or fewer) may use an approved removable sign or put the PUC number on the bumpers instead. Sell the removal too — the rule requires the marking stripped when a vehicle leaves the fleet.
Trucks that cross a state line, or haul freight that starts or ends in another state, follow the federal rule instead: the USDOT number and your legal name when it is 10,001 lbs or more, carries placard-level hazmat, seats 9 or more for hire or seats 16 or more (49 CFR 390.21T(b)(2)).
Rules verified against the primary sources 2026-07-28, next review 2027-01-24. The full citation list is on our USDOT decals in Hawaii page and the 50-state rules table.
Eight Hawaii trucks, run through the checker
Each verdict below is what our free compliance checker returns for that truck using the verified Hawaii and federal rules. Where one changed fact flips the answer, we show the flip, because that is usually where Hawaii carriers get caught.
1. A 9,000-lb plumber's cargo van on Honolulu service calls, Hawaii only
9,000 lbs GVWR · own tools and parts · Hawaii only
No verified rule
The verified Hawaii rule in our checker covers trucks that never leave the state when it hauls for hire. We have not verified a Hawaii rule for a private truck at this weight, and the federal rule only applies when a truck crosses state lines, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790 before you leave this one unmarked.
Flip one fact: Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
2. A 9,000-lb courier van delivering paid freight around Hilo
9,000 lbs GVWR · paid freight · Hawaii only
P.U.C. number required
The Hawaii rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns your company name and the P.U.C. number, both sides. On the door that reads: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and no verified Hawaii rule in our checker reaches it at 9,000 pounds, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers before leaving it unmarked.
3. A 14,000-lb GVWR service truck on landscaping jobs around Honolulu, Hawaii only
14,000 lbs GVWR · own equipment · Hawaii only
No verified rule
Same gap as above: the verified Hawaii rule does not speak to a private truck at this weight, and the federal rule only applies across state lines. Confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790.
Flip one fact: Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
4. A 10,000-lb GVWR cutaway box van delivering furniture for pay, Honolulu only
10,000 lbs GVWR · paid freight · Hawaii only
P.U.C. number required
The Hawaii rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns your company name and the P.U.C. number, both sides. On the door that reads: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and no verified Hawaii rule in our checker reaches it at 10,000 pounds, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers before leaving it unmarked.
5. A 33,000-lb tandem dump truck for a Hilo contractor, Hawaii only
33,000 lbs GVWR · paid hauling · Hawaii only
P.U.C. number required
The Hawaii rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns your company name and the P.U.C. number, both sides. On the door that reads: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and no verified Hawaii rule in our checker reaches it at 33,000 pounds, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers before leaving it unmarked.
6. A 15-passenger hotel shuttle van in Honolulu, no fare charged
15 seats including the driver · passengers, not for hire · 9,500 lbs GVWR · Hawaii only
No verified rule
Same gap as above: the verified Hawaii rule does not speak to passenger vans, and the federal rule only applies across state lines. Confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790.
Flip one fact: Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
7. A 12-passenger paid airport shuttle, Honolulu only
12 seats · passengers for pay · 9,500 lbs GVWR · Hawaii only
P.U.C. number required
The Hawaii rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns your company name and the P.U.C. number, both sides. On the door that reads: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and no verified Hawaii rule in our checker reaches it at 9,500 pounds, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers before leaving it unmarked.
8. A 14,000-lb placarded propane bobtail, Hawaii only
14,000 lbs GVWR · placard-level hazmat · Hawaii only
No verified rule
Same gap as above: the verified Hawaii rule does not speak to placarded hazmat, and the federal rule only applies across state lines. Confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790.
The checker weighs rating, registered and actual weight, operation, for-hire status, cargo, passenger count and farm status. It does not model axle count or vehicle type, so if your truck is unusual, confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers.
What goes on the door in Hawaii
- One marking, both sides: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456, which is your company name and the P.U.C. number.
- At least 2.5-inch letters, set in the Hawaii rule itself. That is a statutory inch minimum, not just a readability standard.
Across the Hawaii line
The Hawaii line only matters while the truck stays home. One job in California, or one load that starts or ends out of state, makes it interstate commerce, and the federal 10,001-pound rule applies no matter where either state draws its own line. For a truck that works near the border it helps to know how the neighbors differ for their own in-state trucks:
- California: any weight for hire and 10,001 pounds for trucks hauling their own goods.
Neighbor lines come from the same verified rule files the checker uses; each state's page has its citations.
Who enforces it in Hawaii
Door markings in Hawaii are the business of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers. Questions about your registration or number: (808) 586-2020, agency site. The federal side, USDOT numbers and the MCS-150, is the FMCSA Hawaii Division: (808) 541-2790, MCHIOFF@dot.gov. A marking violation is written at the roadside and follows the carrier on the inspection report, which is why it is worth getting the two lines right the first time.
For the marking mistakes inspectors catch most often, see USDOT marking mistakes that fail roadside inspections.
Where the Hawaii rule comes from
- HAR 6-62-20 — '(a) No motor carrier shall operate any motor vehicle upon the public highways of the State until the following information is painted in contrasting colors on…
- 49 CFR 390.21T — the federal marking rule for interstate carriers
Read in full and verified 2026-07-28; next scheduled review 2027-01-24.
Hawaii USDOT number FAQ
Does a plumber's cargo van under 10,001 lbs need a USDOT number in Hawaii?
The verified Hawaii rule in our checker covers trucks that never leave the state when it hauls for hire. We have not verified a Hawaii rule for a private truck at this weight, and the federal rule only applies when a truck crosses state lines, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790 before you leave this one unmarked. Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
Does a landscaper's 14,000-lb GVWR service truck at 14,000 lbs need a USDOT number in Hawaii?
Same gap as above: the verified Hawaii rule does not speak to a private truck at this weight, and the federal rule only applies across state lines. Confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790. Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
Does a 15-passenger van that charges no fare need a USDOT number in Hawaii?
Same gap as above: the verified Hawaii rule does not speak to passenger vans, and the federal rule only applies across state lines. Confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers or the FMCSA Hawaii Division, (808) 541-2790. Haul the same loads for pay and the Hawaii rule reaches it: your company name and the P.U.C. number.
Does a courier van under 10,001 lbs hauling for pay need a USDOT number in Hawaii?
Yes. The Hawaii rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns your company name and the P.U.C. number, both sides. On the door that reads: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456. Haul only your own goods in the same truck and no verified Hawaii rule in our checker reaches it at 9,000 pounds, so confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers before leaving it unmarked.
What exactly goes on the door in Hawaii?
One marking, both sides: Your Company LLC — P.U.C. No. 123456, which is your company name and the P.U.C. number. At least 2.5-inch letters, set in the Hawaii rule itself. That is a statutory inch minimum, not just a readability standard.
Get the Hawaii markings cut to spec
USDOT Number Decals
Your USDOT number cut to the 50-foot standard — set of 2, both sides.
$16+Full Compliance Kit
Legal name + USDOT + MC + GVW, all cut to match.
$54.95+Hawaii PUC Number Decal Set of 2
Cut to the Hawaii rule above.
from $21.95USDOT Decals in Hawaii
Every Hawaii truck decal we cut, with the Hawaii rule on one page.
from $16Not sure which truck above is yours? Run the free Hawaii check, seven questions, sources cited. Rules for other states are in our intrastate USDOT guide and the 50-state rules table.
General information, not legal advice. Fleet Decal Depot is a decal maker, not a government agency. Rules change; confirm with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Motor Carriers and FMCSA before you operate.