The short answer
Trucks based in West Virginia: the USDOT number when it hauls for hire, is 10,001 lbs or more, seats 16 or more or carries placard-level hazmat.
West Virginia requires the USDOT number displayed on ANY vehicle operated for hire — no weight floor — plus commercial vehicles 10,001 lbs and up, 16+ passenger vehicles, and placarded hazmat. Marking manner follows the federal rule: name + USDOT number, both sides, readable from 50 feet.
West Virginia trucks that never leave the state: your company name and the WV PSC number when it hauls for hire.
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 West Virginia truck marking requirements page.
Nine West Virginia trucks, run through the checker
Each verdict below is what our free compliance checker returns for that truck using the verified West Virginia and federal rules. Where one changed fact flips the answer, we show the flip, because that is usually where West Virginia carriers get caught.
1. A 9,000-lb plumber's cargo van on Charleston service calls, West Virginia only
9,000 lbs GVWR · own tools and parts · West Virginia only
Not required
At 9,000 pounds it is under the 10,001-pound West Virginia line for a truck hauling its own goods and it carries general freight with no placard, so no verified West Virginia or federal rule reaches it.
Flip one fact: Haul the same loads for pay and the West Virginia rule reaches it: the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number.
2. A 9,000-lb courier van delivering paid freight around Morgantown
9,000 lbs GVWR · paid freight · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and at 9,000 pounds no verified West Virginia rule reaches it.
3. A 14,000-lb GVWR service truck on landscaping jobs around Charleston, West Virginia only
14,000 lbs GVWR · own equipment · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it is 14,000 pounds, over the 10,001-pound line. The checker returns the USDOT number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567.
4. A 10,000-lb GVWR cutaway box van delivering furniture for pay, Charleston only
10,000 lbs GVWR · paid freight · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and at 10,000 pounds no verified West Virginia rule reaches it.
5. A 33,000-lb tandem dump truck for a Morgantown contractor, West Virginia only
33,000 lbs GVWR · paid hauling · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire and is 33,000 pounds, over the 10,001-pound line. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456.
6. A 15-passenger hotel shuttle van in Charleston, no fare charged
15 seats including the driver · passengers, not for hire · 9,500 lbs GVWR · West Virginia only
Not required
At 9,500 pounds it is under the 10,001-pound West Virginia line for a truck hauling its own goods and 15 seats is under the 16-passenger trigger, so no verified West Virginia or federal rule reaches it.
Flip one fact: With 16 seats including the driver, the same van needs the USDOT number.
7. A 12-passenger paid airport shuttle, Charleston only
12 seats · passengers for pay · 9,500 lbs GVWR · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456.
Flip one fact: Haul only your own goods in the same truck and at 9,500 pounds no verified West Virginia rule reaches it.
8. A 14,000-lb placarded propane bobtail, West Virginia only
14,000 lbs GVWR · placard-level hazmat · West Virginia only
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it is 14,000 pounds, over the 10,001-pound line and carries placard-level hazmat. The checker returns the USDOT number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567.
9. A hotshot pickup and gooseneck running Charleston to Pittsburgh loads
26,000 lbs combined · paid freight · interstate
USDOT number required
The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire and is 26,000 pounds, over the 10,001-pound line. Because it crosses state lines, the federal marking rule applies: it is 26,000 pounds, over the 10,001-pound line. The checker returns the USDOT number and your legal name, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC. Because it hauls for hire across state lines, the checker also lists the MC number as commonly displayed but not required.
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 West Virginia PSC — Motor Carrier Section.
What goes on the door in West Virginia
- One marking, both sides of the power unit: USDOT 1234567, which is the USDOT number.
- No inch minimum in West Virginia. The legal standard is a color that contrasts with the truck and letters readable from 50 feet in daylight. We cut 2-inch letters, which clears that bar on any door.
- Your company name and the WV PSC number: West Virginia trucks that never leave the state when it hauls for hire (reads Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456).
Across the West Virginia line
The West Virginia line only matters while the truck stays home. One job in Pennsylvania, 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:
- Kentucky: every in-state truck, at any weight.
- Maryland: the federal 10,001 pounds even in-state.
- Ohio: 10,001 pounds for hire and 26,001 for trucks hauling their own goods.
- Pennsylvania: 17,001 pounds.
- Virginia: the federal 10,001 pounds even in-state.
Neighbor lines come from the same verified rule files the checker uses; each state's page has its citations.
Who enforces it in West Virginia
Door markings in West Virginia are the business of West Virginia PSC — Motor Carrier Section. Questions about your registration or number: (304) 340-0417, agency site. The federal side, USDOT numbers and the MCS-150, is the FMCSA West Virginia Division: (304) 347-5935, MCWVOFF@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 West Virginia rule comes from
- 150 CSR 9 — (PSC motor carrier rules), rule 4.13.1 — 'Every motor carrier and every private commercial carrier shall, where applicable, obtain and, while operating in…
- 150 CSR 9, rule 4.13.3 — 'In addition to displaying the identification number issued by the United States Department of Transportation on each of its commercial motor vehicles, a…
- 150 CSR 9, rule 4.12.1 — 'Every motor carrier other than an exempt carrier shall display its authorized trade name (or where no such trade name is authorized, the name in which…
- 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.
West Virginia USDOT number FAQ
Does a plumber's cargo van under 10,001 lbs need a USDOT number in West Virginia?
Not under the verified West Virginia rule. At 9,000 pounds it is under the 10,001-pound West Virginia line for a truck hauling its own goods and it carries general freight with no placard, so no verified West Virginia or federal rule reaches it. Haul the same loads for pay and the West Virginia rule reaches it: the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number.
Does a 15-passenger van that charges no fare need a USDOT number in West Virginia?
Not under the verified West Virginia rule. At 9,500 pounds it is under the 10,001-pound West Virginia line for a truck hauling its own goods and 15 seats is under the 16-passenger trigger, so no verified West Virginia or federal rule reaches it. With 16 seats including the driver, the same van needs the USDOT number.
Does a courier van under 10,001 lbs hauling for pay need a USDOT number in West Virginia?
Yes. The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456. Haul only your own goods in the same truck and at 9,000 pounds no verified West Virginia rule reaches it.
Does a 10,000-lb box truck hauling for pay need a USDOT number in West Virginia?
Yes. The West Virginia rule reaches this truck because it hauls for hire. The checker returns the USDOT number and your company name and the WV PSC number, both sides. On the door that reads: USDOT 1234567 · Your Company LLC — WV PSC 123456. Haul only your own goods in the same truck and at 10,000 pounds no verified West Virginia rule reaches it.
What exactly goes on the door in West Virginia?
One marking, both sides of the power unit: USDOT 1234567, which is the USDOT number. No inch minimum in West Virginia. The legal standard is a color that contrasts with the truck and letters readable from 50 feet in daylight. We cut 2-inch letters, which clears that bar on any door.
Get the West Virginia 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+West Virginia WV PSC Number Decal Set of 2
Cut to the West Virginia rule above.
from $23.95USDOT Decals in West Virginia
Every West Virginia truck decal we cut, with the West Virginia rule on one page.
from $16Not sure which truck above is yours? Run the free West Virginia 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 West Virginia PSC — Motor Carrier Section and FMCSA before you operate.