In most states, legislatures participate in appointing DOT executives or other transportation leaders within the executive branch that influence a DOT's activities. In most cases, these leaders are appointed by the governor with approval of the Senate. At least some appointments in 19 states, how-ever, are made by the executive branch with no legislative approval required. In contrast, some DOT leaders in California, Georgia and South Carolina are directly selected by legislators. In Pennsylvania, legislative leaders serve on the Transportation Commission by virtue of their office, creating an unusually direct interaction between the legislature and the DOT in transportation governance. Mississippi's unique three-member Transportation Commission is elected by the people and is the only selection process of DOT leadership in the nation that involves neither the legislature nor the executive branch. Legislatures also may set statutory guidelines for appointments or share the authority to remove DOT leaders.

Most state DOT leaders are appointed by the governor with approval of the Senate. Many, however, are appointed by the executive branch alone, and a few are selected by legislators or by a vote of the people.