West Virginia Truck Lettering & USDOT Marking Requirements (2026)

The short answer

Trucks based in West Virginia: 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.

Also in West Virginia: State Regulatory Number (hauls for hire).

Interstate trucks also follow the federal rule: name and USDOT number on both sides of the power unit from 10,001 lbs (49 CFR 390.21T(b)(2)); other triggers in the federal box below.

✓ Verified 2026-07-28 against the sources below · next review 2027-01-24

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The West Virginia rules in detail

USDOT Number

Required rule WV-USDOT-DISPLAY

Who	Trucks based in West Virginia
When (any one of these)	hauls for hire · 10,001 lbs or more · 16+ passengers · placard-level hazmat
What goes on the truck	USDOT [your USDOT number]
Size and placement	Readable from 50 feet in daylight, no inch minimum (we cut 2-inch number) · sharp contrast · both sides of the power unit

Legal sources

150 CSR 9 (PSC motor carrier rules), rule 4.13.1 (full text read 2026-07-28) — 'Every motor carrier and every private commercial carrier shall, where applicable, obtain and, while operating in intrastate or interstate commerce in West Virginia, shall conspicuously display on each (a) motor vehicle operated for hire; (b) motor vehicle, operated for any commercial purpose with a gross vehicle rating of ten thousand one (10,001) pounds or more; (c) motor vehicle, operated for any commercial purpose, designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers, including the driver; and (d) motor vehicle used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding ...' a USDOT identification number.
150 CSR 9, rule 4.13.3 (full text read 2026-07-28) — 'In addition to displaying the identification number issued by the United States Department of Transportation on each of its commercial motor vehicles, a carrier that owns or operates such vehicles shall also display on them any other identifying information or markings required by 49 CFR 390.21' — which carries the name display, contrast and 50-ft legibility manner.

Verified 2026-07-28 · next review 2027-01-24

State Regulatory Number

Required rule WV-PSC-NAME-AUTHORITY

Who	West Virginia trucks that never leave the state
When (all of these)	hauls for hire
What goes on the truck	[your company name] — WV PSC [your state number]
Size and placement	At least 3 inches tall (set in the rule) · sharp contrast · each side of the vehicle

For-hire carriers running under WV PSC authority also display the authorized trade name in letters at least 3 inches tall plus a certificate or permit number, on each side. This is on top of the USDOT marking, not instead of it.

Legal sources

150 CSR 9, rule 4.12.1 (full text read 2026-07-28) — '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 authority is held) and (except as to wrecker vehicles) at least one of its certificate or permit numbers on each side of each motor vehicle that the motor carrier operates under its operating authority excluding, however, any luxury vehicle that the carrier operates as a limousine. The letters of the carrier's authorized trade name or name in which authority is held shall be not less than three (3) inches in height. Temporary placards may be used for leased equipment.'

Verified 2026-07-28 · next review 2027-01-24

The federal baseline, the same in every state

USDOT Number + Legal / Trade Name, both sides of the power unit (49 CFR 390.21T(b)(2); 49 CFR 390.21T(b)(1))
Readable from 50 feet in daylight, no inch minimum · sharp contrast
MC Number: recommended, not required (49 CFR 390.21T)
Triggers: 10,001 lbs or more · placard-level hazmat · 9+ passengers for hire · 16+ passengers

Verified 2026-07-23 · next review 2026-10-21

Who enforces it in West Virginia

West Virginia PSC — Motor Carrier Section
Phone: (304) 340-0417
psc.state.wv.us

West Virginia truck marking FAQ

Which West Virginia trucks need a USDOT number on the door?

West Virginia requires it for: hauls for hire, 10,001 lbs or more, 16+ passengers or placard-level hazmat (150 CSR 9; 150 CSR 9, rule 4.13.3).

How big do the letters have to be in West Virginia?

The West Virginia rules name no inch height for the number, only readable from 50 feet in daylight; we cut 2-inch numbers. At least 3 inches for the state number (150 CSR 9, rule 4.12.1).

At what weight do the West Virginia marking rules start?

USDOT Number: from 10,001 lbs. State Regulatory Number: no weight floor.

What goes on the door in West Virginia?

West Virginia rules spell it out: USDOT [your USDOT number]; [your company name] — WV PSC [your state number] (hauls for hire).

Does hauling hazmat change the rules in West Virginia?

Yes: placard-level hazmat brings in the USDOT Number marking at any weight, per 150 CSR 9; 150 CSR 9, rule 4.13.3.

Does it matter whether I haul for hire in West Virginia?

Yes. USDOT Number: hauls for hire, 10,001 lbs or more, 16+ passengers or placard-level hazmat. State Regulatory Number: hauls for hire.

Get exactly what West Virginia requires, cut to spec

Truck marking rules in other states

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General information, not legal advice. The agency above has the final word.

What West Virginia requires on a commercial truck