"The DOT code is required by law so it must be stamped on the tire. If the tire is retreaded it may have more than one DOT code. This code can be found just above the bead area on the lower portion of the sidewall and is prefaced by the letters "DOT". The letter size is small but larger than the warning text size. The date of manufacture is usually the second or third set of numbers (four digits placed together). The preceding numbers indicate manufacturing location and lot. Tires with a Department of Transportation (DOT) number ending with 0100 or later were manufactured after 1/1/2000. 0100 is the 4-digit production date in week-week-year-year format. 0100 means the tire was produced in the 1st week of 2000. Prior to January 2000, a 3-digit date code was used following a week-week-year format. thus, 019 means the tire was produced in the 1st week of 1999"
from;
http://expert.fleetowner.com/tires/2...ar.com/truck/?