What does the DOT marking on tires represent?
2 Answers
DOT is the abbreviation for the U.S. Department of Transportation, a government agency responsible for transportation regulation. The presence of 'DOT' on a tire indicates that the tire complies with the safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Here is some information about DOT: 1. DOT is the U.S. government agency for transportation management, established in 1967, with nine sub-agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Maritime Administration, and the Office of the Secretary. 2. According to U.S. law, all tires sold in the U.S. market must pass DOT testing and have the DOT marking molded on the tire sidewall after certification. Tires without the DOT marking are prohibited from being imported, manufactured, or sold in the U.S. market.
I've been driving for twenty years and have seen plenty of DOT markings on tires. That alphanumeric combination following DOT contains crucial information, with the last four digits being particularly important: the first two represent the week of production, and the last two indicate the year. For example, 2319 means the tire was produced in the 23rd week of 2019. This date is vital because tire rubber naturally ages—even if the tread isn’t worn out, you need to be extra cautious after six years. I’ve seen too many drivers overlook this, leading to dangerous high-speed blowouts. Always check this date when replacing tires, and avoid buying tires that have been in stock for over a year. Make it a habit to inspect the sidewalls during routine maintenance, especially for the spare tire, which is often forgotten. Hardened rubber makes it completely unusable.
