The Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) comprises the company’s information that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will use. Every company requires MCS-150 until the company functions.
The form includes information about the company’s contact information and whether you are operating intrastate or interstate. Furthermore, it indicates what type of goods a company handles, power units, number of drivers, and mileage for every year.
When to file MCS 150 forms?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all interstate carriers need to file MCS-150 or MCS-150B if there is a requirement for a safety permit. The form needs to be filed every 24 months based on the US DOT number considering the last two digits.
Every motor carrier needs to submit a MCS 150 form before the company can receive a USDOT number. The form also requires updating after every two years. This is because the information on the form changes with time as the company grows.
MCS-150 can be filed either online through the FMCSA portal or by mailing a paper form to the agency. After filing, you will get a USDOT number that will appear on your MCS-150 form.
The schedule for filing the USDOT number is as follows:
| USDOT number ending in | Deadline for filing |
|---|---|
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 3 | March |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 6 | June |
| 7 | July |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 0 | October |
If the last digit in your USDOT number is odd, you will update your MCS- 150 during an odd numbered calendar year. However, if the final digit of the USDOT number is even, then you will file your update for the MCS-150 during an even numbered calendar year.
Updating your MCS 150 form will help to prevent unsafe driving and other fatal crashes. Furthermore, it will also prevent any fines and shutdowns. Therefore, you must have clarity on your motor carrier identification report. The form needs to be updated every 2 years. You can choose biennial updates or changes that can be your reason for filing.
For example, suppose your USDOT number ends in 34. In that case, you will be required to update the MCS-150 form in April 2024 and again in April 2026. Furthermore, every two years, you will need to submit a new or updated MCS-150 form for your company. Filing of the MCS-150 form is a must to keep your business running.
What happens when the MCS-150 form falls out of date?
When the MCS-150 falls out of date, the FMCSA will deactivate the motor carrier’s USDOT number. Moreover, the company can also face penalties of about $1,000 every day. The penalty cannot exceed $10,000.
It is necessary to update the MCS 150 form regularly, even if no information has changed. This will help improve Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores. The utilization score is given on a scale of 0 to 1.5, with 0 being the worst rank and 1.5 being the best rank. The score is awarded based on the miles (VMT) reported per power unit (tractor). It helps the FMCSA to recognize high-risk motor carriers that need monitoring.
How to file an MCS-150 form?
First-time applicants need to register with the Unified Registration System (URS). There are two options for filing the USDOT number either filing online or filing by mail.
For online filing, you will be required to fill out the form MCS-150 and upload it on the FMCSA portal. After that the FMCSA will issue USDOT numbers to the trucking companies. It generally takes 7 business days to get a response when filing online. Mostly, trucking companies use the online process, as it is convenient.
For paper filing, the applicant must fill out form MCS-150 and mail it to the FMCSA. The mailing address of FMCSA is mentioned on form MCS-150. It will take some more time to get a response than filing online. It will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to get a response and receive the USDOT number.
What is the importance of the PRISM federal program in MCS-150 forms?
The Performance Registration Information Systems and Management Program (PRISM) is a federal program that monitors motor carriers. It provides an improved evaluation system to measure the safety performance of motor carriers. The PRISM program helps in identifying high-risk motor carriers prior to their involvement in serious or fatal crashes. The program also gives the FMCSA an insight into the safety performance of carriers.
If you are filing an updated MCS-150 form, you should ensure that your PRISM score is up to date. This will help you in getting the best score possible, which will make it easier for your business to be successful. The PRISM program is also used by insurers and shippers to evaluate the overall safety performance of motor carriers.
So, if you are in need of legal assistance after being involved in a truck accident with a vehicle that has an expired MCS-150 form, contact a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer.