DUNS Number
A DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet that's used by lenders, insurers, government agencies, and large brokers to verify and track your business.
What you actually need to know
D&B is the largest business credit bureau. Your DUNS number is your file number with them. Once you have a DUNS, every payment your business makes to a tracked vendor — fuel cards, net-30 suppliers, leasing companies — can be reported to D&B and build your PAYDEX score (business credit).
You get a DUNS for free at dnb.com. It takes 1–4 weeks via the free path. D&B will try hard to sell you a paid "expedited" service for $200–$700 — skip it. Free works fine.
You need a DUNS to apply for federal contracts, to be vetted by some large freight brokers, and to register with most commercial fuel card programs that report business credit.
Common mistakes / confusions
- DUNS is free. D&B sells expensive monitoring services on top of it. The number itself costs nothing.
- DUNS is separate from your EIN. EIN is your IRS tax ID; DUNS is your D&B credit file ID.
- Having a DUNS doesn't mean you have business credit. You build the credit by getting tradelines (net-30 vendors, fuel cards) to report to D&B.
Related terms
Where to go next
TruckStart is an educational tool, not a law firm, accounting firm, insurance agency, freight broker, or filing service. Always verify current requirements directly with FMCSA, your state, the IRS, and qualified professionals before making business decisions.