Manufacturer identification vs. licensing requirements

January 2, 2023

Steve Spata

NTEA Senior Technical Assistance Director

We install truck bodies and equipment, and one of our fleet customers recently asked us to provide them with a copy of our USDOT upfitter’s license. Is there a licensing requirement for our industry, and would our customers in Canada require us to have one also?

Make NTEA your Association today and unlock access to exclusive resources, tools and insights.

Join online

Record retention and additional NHTSA reporting requirements for final-stage manufacturers or alterers

Vehicle certification responsibilities don’t necessarily end when an upfitted vehicle leaves the shop. This article examines important NHTSA record retention and reporting requirements affecting final-stage manufacturers...

September 1, 2026

Vehicle Certification

Tech Connections

Pulsating brake lights: Know who can – and can’t – legally install them

Learn who can legally install brake-activated pulsating warning lamps on commercial vehicles under FMCSA exemptions and why vehicle builders, final-stage manufacturers/alterers, dealers, and repair businesses cannot...

August 13, 2026

Tech Connections

Tow system ratings and considerations

Selecting and installing a towing system involves more than matching a hitch to a trailer. This article explains how gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), towing capacity, and hitch...

August 1, 2026

Manufacturer identification vs. licensing requirements

Recommended Articles

Record retention and additional NHTSA reporting requirements for final-stage manufacturers or alterers

Pulsating brake lights: Know who can – and can’t – legally install them

Tow system ratings and considerations