DOT/MC leasing rule clarified
A social post clarified that prohibitions tied to DOT/MC numbers do not bar equipment leasing between carriers and owner‑operators — an operational compliance detail that reduces friction for certain trucking lease deals. (x.com)
FMCSA published a bulletin titled “DO NOT Sell, Purchase, or Lease a USDOT or MC Number” on March 13, 2026 and said it will initiate proceedings to inactivate USDOT Numbers and revoke related registrations upon discovery of unauthorized transfers. (fmcsa.dot.gov) FMCSA’s own FAQ (last updated May 23, 2023) explicitly says leasing motor‑carrier services is permissible when parties comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at 49 CFR 376.11. (fmcsa.dot.gov) 49 CFR 376.12 requires a written lease that makes the authorized carrier lessee assume “complete responsibility for the operation of the equipment for the duration of the lease” and permits provisions treating the lessee as owner for subleasing purposes. (ecfr.gov) The bulletin distinguishes sole proprietors from corporations, noting a USDOT Number “belongs to the same legal person forever” for sole proprietors while a corporation’s USDOT Number can transfer with a legitimate corporate sale provided FMCSA records are updated. (fmcsa.dot.gov) FMCSA cited statutory authority it will use to revoke registrations — safety registration under 49 U.S.C. 31134 and operating authority under 49 U.S.C. 13901–13905 — signaling that an inactivated USDOT/MC reference can remove safety and operating registrations tied to a carrier. (fmcsa.dot.gov) Technology vendors and lenders are repositioning: Solifi announced the Sep. 23, 2025 acquisition of DataScan to strengthen wholesale/floorplan inventory risk tools, and Solifi markets Originations and Portfolio Management modules for equipment and automotive finance. (thomabravo.com) Solifi highlighted product acceleration outcomes in client work — Centennial Bank deployed Solifi’s CALMS Compass floorplan solution in under four months to centralize dealer onboarding and loan visibility — and Solifi launched a Document Intelligence AI on March 9, 2026 that it says can cut document review times by about 70%, both capabilities that support faster verification of lease paperwork required under 49 CFR 376.12. (solifi.com)
