DOT (Department of Transportation) is the American federal agency responsible for transportation policy and safety in the United States, equivalent to Transport Canada. The U.S. DOT oversees aviation, highways, railroads, transit, pipelines, and maritime transportation through various agencies like the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. Students may encounter DOT references in American news, vehicle safety ratings, or commercial truck regulations. In Canada, Transport Canada handles similar federal responsibilities, while provinces manage provincial highways and municipalities control local roads. Understanding the difference helps when comparing transportation policies or interpreting American media. Note that U.S. states also have their own DOTs (like California DOT or Caltrans), which have no Canadian equivalent since Canadian provinces use different organizational structures.