MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

How can the specific carrier of a vehicle be identified?

1. By the VIN number

2. By the License Plate

3. By the USDOT number

4. By the vehicle registration document

The correct answer is: By the USDOT number

The specific carrier of a vehicle can be identified by the USDOT number. This number is assigned to commercial vehicles and is unique to each authorized carrier operating in interstate commerce. It serves as a means of tracking the safety and compliance history of the carrier and ensures that the vehicle is registered with the appropriate transport authorities. While other options may provide some useful information about the vehicle, they do not specifically identify the carrier. The VIN number relates to the vehicle itself and is used primarily for identification and theft recovery, but it does not indicate who the carrier is. The license plate can also provide information about vehicle ownership but lacks specificity regarding the carrier, as it does not uniquely tie the vehicle to its commercial operator in a business capacity. The vehicle registration document lists ownership details but typically does not pinpoint the carrier unless it is explicitly indicated within the document. Overall, the USDOT number directly links to the operational authority of the carrier, making it the most reliable method for identifying the specific carrier of a vehicle.